Gregory Howell by Riki Takaoka
Gregory Howell
Storyteller, curator and creative economy consultant, Gregory made his way to Pueblo via Tokyo to join a team of innovative physicians in the launch of a network of medical clinics in Colorado and Texas. While In Japan, Gregory worked for the Japanese Foreign Ministry as a Coordinator for International Relations at the City of Yokohama in the Bureau of Urban Planning where he served as a liaison for the $3.2 billion urban waterfront development project known as MInato Mirai. Gregory worked with designers, architects, developers, and city planners from around the world during the start-up years of the development project. Gregory also served as the lead consultant to the GC-5 program sponsored by Tokyo University and the University of California Berkeley and produced the international educational programs for the top five general contractors in Japan. As a creative consultant Gregory continues to travel to Japan on behalf of private individuals, developers, art institutions, and major corporations.
Shortly after arriving in Pueblo, Gregory immediately realized the powerful and yet untold story of the new creative economy in one of America's great industrial landscapes which was once dominated by the Colorado Fuel & Iron Company and the Nuckolls Packing Company. Gregory is the owner of the award winning Kadoya Gallery and since his arrival in southern Colorado has launched the Shoe Factory, the ARTery, and the Underground in the Historic Federal Building. Over the years he has lectured extensively on the history, culture and the arts of Pueblo and is best known in the region for his talk on The Tunnels of Pueblo and Steel & Meat. He is a former Board Member of the Steelworks Center of the West and now advises The Arts Academy at Pueblo County High as a creative consultant and serves as a Board Member. Gregory is currently a Commissioner on the Historic Preservation Commission for the City of Pueblo where he is an advocate for adaptive reuse of historic properties, economic redevelopment and tourism. In 2020, Gregory joined the Board of Directors of the Wholistic Health Alliance which is a 501(c)3 dedicated to building healthy communities.
Today Gregory can be found at Watertower Place in the Grove serving as a creative consultant with the development team as they prepare to launch the new ‘rational factory’. As a branding and marketing specialist in the arts, Gregory is preparing the launch of his new methodology called the Tray of Life as part of his DBA: Doing Business as an Artist/Creative/Maker platform to help creatives amplify the narrative of their story. Gregory is working on his first major storytelling effort Jackie & the Taj which shares the powerful and compelling story of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's historic trip to India in 1962.
Gregory Howell is the 2006 Recipient of the Japan Foreign Minister's Commendation for his lifetime service to the nation of Japan. This honor was bestowed by His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince of Japan in Tokyo. Gregory Howell is also the recipient of the California Assembly Certificate of Recognition | 2011 Tohoku Spirit.
A Word About the Gregory Howell Japanese Art Collection
Through a selection of exquisite objects, this private collection reveals the many techniques and applications developed by artisans over hundreds of years. With a focus on works created during the 18th through the 20th centuries, the objects represent the power and influence of form and function in daily life in Japan. Highlights include Hokkaido farmer's clothing which uses textiles woven with natural grasses, ancient bamboo baskets from the mountain communities of Takayama, a circular Edo Period lacquer 'Jubako' stacking lunch box from Kyoto, contemporary ceramics from masters around Japan and other significant objects which were an integral part of life in Japan over the ages. .
