Jackie Wada – Artist, Athlete, and Entrepreneur Behind New Bazaar Poster
Jackie Wada is selected as the featured artist of the 2026 Bazaar.
Jackie Wada grew up drawing and sketching—and observing, as any good artist should. As a child, she was mesmerized by her paternal grandmother, a self-taught artist, who painted landscapes effortlessly.
“Grandma was a phenomenal oil painter. She painted almost every day, she was very calm and at peace when she painted,” said Jackie. “I definitely got my creativity from her.”
The granddaughter of Sachie and Yutaka Wada and the daughter of June and Felix Wada, Jackie spent much of her childhood at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento, making lifelong friends through Dharma school, Girl Scouts, and basketball.
”I have always lived by a verse in the Golden Chain where it said, ‘Say pure and beautiful thoughts, say pure and beautiful words, and do pure and beautiful deeds.’ Growing up Buddhist has shaped me into the person I am today,” she said.
Now, at 33, Jackie brings her journey full circle. She returns to the temple in a new role, selected as the featured artist for our milestone 80th Annual Japanese Food & Cultural Bazaar.
With this year’s theme, “Where Tradition Meets Today,” in mind, Jackie created a fresh, dynamic poster with her signature abstract and Asian art.
“I get to create through my Japanese culture and different textures, such as lines, shapes, and colors,” said Jackie, whose examination of life is reflected in her art. “Being a millennial, I see life shifting tremendously and quickly.”
The idea of constant change flows through her art, as does “the freedom to paint and be myself,” said Jackie, who earned her bachelor’s degree in art at Sacramento State. She even sold her first painting while still a student. (Photo included in the slideshow, below.)
The Artist as Athlete and Entrepreneur
When she isn’t imagining and creating her artwork, you might find Jackie at her alma mater, working alongside her childhood basketball coach, Jeff Ota, varsity head coach of the Lady Lions at C.K. McClatchy High School. Jackie’s been an assistant coach since 2017.
“She has great communication skills and is great at working individually with the players to improve their skills,” said Jeff. And the skill development paid off. Last year, the team won the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Sac-San Joaquin Championship at the Golden 1 Center.
These days, when Jackie isn’t busy hanging (and selling) her artwork in local restaurants, you might find her running monthly basketball clinics for kids as a Jr. Kings NBA coach with the Sacramento Kings.
Her artwork, by the way, can be found at trendy restaurants, bars, and cafes such as Legend Has It, Ca Phe Haru, Zinfandel Grille, Interlude Kitchen and Bar, and The Morning Fork.
And when Jackie isn’t hosting her own art shows or teaching art to kids, adults, and even the Lady Lions (to tap their creativity and for team bonding), you might catch her teaching basketball fundamentals, largely to girls and women, from elementary school age to college. Jackie runs her own full-time training business, Wada Life Basketball, at Game-Fit athletic center in Sacramento.
Jackie was a star shooting guard—from our church league, starting at age 10, to McClatchy High School, and from the Lady Barons competitive traveling team to women’s basketball at American River College.
She once hit nine three-point shots in a single game at McClatchy High and currently shares the school record for the most three-pointers in a season—get this, 86 three-point shots!
Her style on the court has been described as fluid, powerful, even unorthodox. “She shoots with two hands and her left thumb, said Jeff, “but it worked. She always got the green light to shoot.”
She proved it again at American River College, where she holds the record for 11 three-pointers in a single game. She ended with 37 points, her highest score ever!
This athlete-turned-entrepreneur not only opened her basketball business over a decade ago but also found time to start a second business. Jackie calls Wada Art her part-time job, but art remains a full-time passion.
A Closer Look at the Bazaar Poster
An image deeply connected to Japanese culture—blue sea waves—splashes across Jackie’s Bazaar poster. At the center, the “ensō circle” serves as a Zen Buddhist symbol of enlightenment and a focal point. The circle, though, doesn’t close, and that’s intentional.
Jackie Wada’s poster interprets the theme, “Where Tradition Meets Today.”
“To me, the open circle embraces imperfection,” explained Jackie, “by showing that beauty does not depend on precise lines, perfect proportions, or clear forms. Instead, shapes, colors, and textures can feel spontaneous, uneven, or unfinished, yet still meaningful.”
In this way, added Jackie, “abstract art mirrors real human experience—unpredictable, emotional, and imperfect.”
Jackie’s design will be on display at the Bazaar on Saturday, Aug. 8. She plans to recreate her poster on canvas, drawing by hand and using acrylic paints. Be sure to look for it!
“I just want to mention how grateful I am to have been asked to design for the Sacramento Bazaar,” said Jackie. “Growing up in the Sacramento Buddhist Church has given me a sense of community, family, and strong morals, something that I’m sharing with the next generation.” — by Sharon Ito
Follow Jackie on Instagram at wada_art and wadalife_basketball.
(All photos courtesy of Jackie Wada)
