Miss Helen Kane, who died 24 October 2010, is the late daughter of the late Michael and Ellen (Gilboy) Kane, 71 Scott Street, Carbondale. After graduating from St. Rose High School, and Marywood University (B.A., M.A.), she taught, initially, in Binghamton and in the state of Maryland.
Miss Kane then became a member of the faculty of the Department of Defense Air Force School, and taught abroad (Newfoundland, England, Germany, Spain, Japan, the Philippines, and South Korea) for many years the dependents of American servicemen, and the dependents of those engaged in the United States diplomatic service, government construction work, and other government services abroad.
During her two years of teaching in Japan--at Tachikawa, 25 miles from Tokyo--Miss Kane learned the fine art of creating Japanese dolls by attending classes conducted by one of the top experts in that field. Miss Kane then made 11 exquisite Japanese dolls. They are Boy's Day doll, Farmer Girl, Koto Player, Mama-San, Bride, Lion Dancer, Flower Girl, Samurai, Geisha, Merchant's Daughter, Rain Children.
Those eleven dolls, each hand-made of exquisite silks and brocades, and perfect to the minutest detail, as well as three Oshie dolls (dolls framed as pictures), were donated to the Carbondale Historical Society in April 2010.
On Sunday, May 23, from 2 to 5 P.M., was opened to the public an exhibition featuring those 14 Japanese dolls made by Helen Kane, at the Carbondale Historical Society. The Guest Curator for the exhibition is Matthew Buberniak, Carbondale. (Shown above upon mouseover.)
The Japanese Doll exhibition at the Historical Society is open to the public weekdays from 1P.M. to 5P.M. and by appointment.
The Society's telephone number is 570-282-0385.
