In 1995 the Museum, in conjunction with the University of Montevallo, organized the exhibition Echizen: Eight Hundred Years of Japanese Stoneware. As part of the programming for the exhibition, master potter Fujita Juroemon (1922-2008), an eighth generation potter in the Echizen tradition, conducted a two-week workshop at the University to show his technique. As a result of the exhibition and workshop, several students traveled to Japan to continue their studies with the Echizen potters. Since 2008, the City of Montevallo has had a Sister City relationship with Echizen, which includes an exchange program for students. On August 3, a group of teenage students from Echizen spent time at the Museum, touring, creating their own art, and learning more about American artists Jacob Lawrence, Chris Clark, and Benny Andrews.