Through a significant gift of Japanese paintings from the Clarks, the Clark Center's collection was established in October of 1995. Nearly one hundred and sixty hanging scrolls, thirty pairs or single screens, ten works of sculpture mainly from the Kamakura period (1185-1333), and a number of pieces of decorative art primarily from the Meiji period (1868-1912) are housed at the Center. The gallery spaces allow for approximately ten percent of the collection to be on display at one time. Among the highlights of the collection are exquisite Buddhist sculpture and painting from the Kamakura period, a wide range of paintings from the Edo period (1615-1868), and a selection of folding screens of the finest quality.

The Clark Center for Japanese Art was formed to collect, preserve, study, exhibit, and educate the public about works of fine art. While the arts of no country are excluded, the Center's primary focus will be the arts of Japan. Through these means it hopes to further understanding of the culture of Japan and foster friendship between Japan and the U.S.A.

In 1995, The Ruth & Sherman Lee Institute for Japanese Art, located about 45 miles south of Fresno in the town of Hanford, was founded by Elizabeth and Willard Clark to "collect, conserve, study, and exhibit" the paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts of Japan. The rapidly growing collection is comprised of many distinguished works representing artistic activity in Japan from the 10th into the 21th century