Plainfield, Vermont — A 100-year-old artist donated his works to Goddard College in Vermont this month, saying it was his dream to have the art kept at a school where students can learn from it.

For posterity: Hide Oshiro, a Japanese painter, poet, book maker and illustrator, speaks with Goddard College President Barbara Vacarr on Nov. 3 in Plainfield, Vermont. AP

Hide Oshiro, a painter, poet, book maker and illustrator, presented hundreds of pieces to the small liberal arts college.

Oshiro was born in Hawaii but grew up in Japan. He urged Goddard staff to realize their connection to the universe and nature.

"The whole nature is breathing: The sun, the earth, the whole nature is breathing together," he said. . . . "When you realize this, you come to maturity."

Oshiro witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor, joined the U.S. Army, traveled the country and studied art in Paris. He now lives in New York.