
Join us for
The Art of Sake
Sunday, August 17, 2025, 4 – 7 pm
Atlantic Center for the Arts
1414 Arts Center Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
Join us in celebrating a vibrant cultural exchange between Florida, USA and Wakayama, Japan.
This distinguished event, featuring Certified Master of Sake and Master Sake Sommelier
Toshio Ueno, will highlight the artistry of sake and its culinary versatility through a curated
tasting experience. Guests will also enjoy an exhibition tour showcasing works by artists
from both regions and a captivating koto performance by Shiho Yamashita. This event is
presented in conjunction with the Florida-Wakayama Exhibition featuring art by Florida and
Japanese artists.
This event provides a unique opportunity for businesses and patrons to support cultural
diplomacy and foster international appreciation of the arts and gastronomy.

About Toshio Ueno
Honors & Awards:
- 2023 Foreign Minister’s Commendation from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- 2022 Ambassador of Yamanashi, Yamanashi Prefectural Government
- 2021 Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries
Certification:
- 日本酒学講師 Master Sake Sommelier / Sake Educator, Sake Service Institute (SSI)
- 酒匠 Master of Sake, SSI
- 南部杜氏協会 研究科生 Nanbu Toji Guild Pre-Toji Candidate
- Shochu Meister, Kagoshima Renaissance Academy, Kagoshima University
- DipWSET (Level 4), Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET)
- WSET Certified Level 3 Sake & Level 3 Spirits Educator, WSET
- WSET Level 3 in Spirits, WSET
- Certified Specialist of Wine, Society of Wine Educators
- Certified Sommelier, Court of Master Sommeliers
- French Wine Scholar, Wine Scholar Guild
- Spanish Wine Scholar, Wine Scholar Guild
- Certified Italian Wine Specialist, North American Sommelier Association
- Certified Sherry Wine Specialist, Wine Scholar Guild & Sherry Regulatory Council