Monday, August 27, 2012

Hui No'eau Welcomes Juror Rich Richardson

Hui No'eau is pleased to announce Rich Richardson, Executive Director of HAPA: Hawaii Academy of Performing Arts, Chinatown Artists Lofts & The Arts at Marks Garage, as the guest juror for its annual color-themed exhibition, this year’s beingInfinite Blue.”

“It is such an honor to be invited back to the great art, atmosphere, and family of friends at the Hui!” remarks Richardson, “‘Blue’ is such a luxurious point of departure for creating art...I love somber art, and funny art. I like art that mixes mediums or cultural references. Uniqueness, simplicity and surprise are key. Focus and skill are good too. Above all, enjoy the process!”

With a Masters degree in Creative Arts Interdisciplinary Studies from San Francisco State University, Rich has been a working artist in Hawaii for 18 years as a curator and consultant in public relations, exhibitions and performance programming. He was owner of pioneer Chinatown art gallery salon5, an adjunct Professor of Art at Hawaii Pacific University, and helped to establish First Friday Honolulu. Between 1994 and 1997 he was Exhibits Coordinator at Hui No'‘eau and recently received the Rotary Club Kalama Award with a proclamation from the Mayor of Honolulu for "Excellence in the Perpetuation of the Arts & Culture."

For the “Infinite Blue” exhibition, artists are invited to creatively interpret the primary color, which holds historical significance in art, culture, and politics. From religious figures like Mary and Shiva to Picasso's Blue Period to Delta blues music, this hue invokes coolness and electricity, melancholy and serenity, and appears in shades such as cobalt, ultramarine, and those found in our islands' water and sky. Past Hui No’eau color-themed exhibition jurors include sculptor Stephen Freedman for the 2011 “Visualizing Green” exhibition and Paia Contemporary Gallery Director Lauren Harris for 2009’s “Primarily Red.”

Infinite Blue - A Community Art Making Challenge
October 6 - November 10, 2012
Receiving Day: Monday, September 24 / 9am-5pm / Solarium
Opening Reception: Friday, October 5 / 5-7pm
Prospectus & entry form: download at huinoeau.com/exhibitions

Lecture with the Juror: Monday, September 24 / 5:30-6:30 pm / FREE / Media Lab
Rich will present a slideshow and speak about how art has been used to change Honolulu's Chinatown neighborhood.

This exhibition is generously supported by Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, Hawaii's air-tour leader for over 25 years.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Hoxie Nominated for 2012 Michael H. Lyons II Palaka Award

Hui No`eau Visual Arts Center is proud to announce its Vice President John Hoxie has been named as one of the 12 Maui nominees for the Rotary Club of Kahului’s annual Michael H. Lyons II Palaka Award.

Awarded to those who exemplify the highest ideals of volunteer service to a nonprofit organization and the Rotary's motto "Service Above Self," the award is also a fundraising vehicle for the club's Michael H. Lyons II Scholarship Fund. Originally created in honor of Rotarian Michael H. Lyons’ tireless community support, the award is named for the signature palaka shirts he wore and is presented to those who epitomize the community spirit of Lyons.

A former Hui No‘eau Board President, current Vice President, executive committee member, facilities committee member, development committee member as well as artist, patron, member and donor, John’s 10 years of participation and support of the nonprofit organization has been a critical tool to its success as a high-quality arts education resource center and historic community gathering place. 

Believing whole-heartedly in the Hui’s mission to unlock creativity through exceptional visual arts education, John is committed to ensuring the Hui remains a public asset in our community for years to come. His leadership during the 2005 “Save the Hui, Buy Kaluanui” campaign was instrumental in purchasing the 25-acre estate, helping to raise $5.5 million by meeting with countless donors and securing $500,000 from the State. Recognizing the importance in stewarding the historic estate for all, John supported the establishment of the Kaluanui Preservation & Stewardship Program with the Facilities Master Plan Committee in order to protect the history, natural beauty, and continual community access of Kaluanui. As current Chair of the Facilities Committee, John takes personal responsibility in safeguarding a successful future for the Hui by overseeing the preservation of the estate and proactively exploring opportunities to meet the needs of our community through facility improvements and safety.

As a Rotarian for over 25 years and a former President of the Rotary Club of Maui, John takes the “Four-Way Test” to heart. During these challenging economic times, as Hui President and Vice President, John has helped lead the Hui through difficult decision making, always taking into account if the actions will be beneficial and fair to the staff, Hui No’eau and our community of artists, students, patrons and visitors. John’s countless hours of volunteerism and tenacity to ensure the Hui’s well-being exemplifies “Service Above Self” and transcends beyond his duties as a board member. Believing in the importance of community and giving back, John has also served as a Board Member of Maui Memorial Medical Center Foundation, Past President and Director of Maui Country Club and is currently the Vice Chair of the Maui Board of Water Supply and is a Super Donor of the Blood Bank of Hawaii.

“Always caring, honest and sincere, John exudes the Aloha spirit,” remarks Hui Executive Director Caroline Killhour, “The Hui would not be the exceptional institution it is today without John’s participation and support.”

The Rotary Club of Kahului will recognize the 2012 finalists and announce the 2012 Palaka Award winner at the King Kamehameha Golf Club during a special luncheon on Friday, August 24.  Please join us in congratulating John for being recognized for his formidable service to the arts, education, and community!

About Hui No`eau Visual Arts Center
The mission of Hui No`eau is to unlock creativity through exceptional visual arts education. The Hui provides a wide range of programs that support lifelong learning in the arts including public classes and visiting artist workshops, open studios, lectures, exhibitions, community art events, historical house tours and educational outreach programs with schools and community partner organizations. One of the last of its kind on Maui, the Hui is a nonprofit, non-degree granting, community arts education organization offering open access to quality arts instruction by teaching artists. Our programs and services are accessible to all, regardless of artistic aptitude or ability to pay tuition.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Teen Artist Donates to Hui No’eau Youth Scholarship Program

Earlier this year, Hui No’eau was contacted by 19-year old youth programs alum Talia Gangini, one of the world’s top-rated stand-up paddlers as well as a handcrafted jewelry artist & entrepreneur.  Having acquired her love and skill for the arts in the Hui studios, Talia proposed her “Craft for a Cause” idea: to gather sponsorships for an independent paddling adventure between Maui, Lanai and Molokai that would raise money for the Hui youth scholarship program; helping other kids to have access to the same opportunity that she did.

An independent jewelry artist, avid Hui open studio user and alumni of the Hui's youth art program, Talia enrolled in her first Hui youth jewelry class at age 14. After quickly becoming one of the strongest open studio users, she became the youngest artist to ever have her work displayed on the cover of  the internationally recognized Sports Illustrated magazine. That same summer, Talia also became the youngest girl to paddle in the Molokai to Oahu Championships, finishing with her team in first place. She has now paddled across the Kaiwi Channel seven times as well as the Pailolo Channel from Maui to Molokai via traditional paddle board, OC-1 outrigger canoe, stand up paddle & six man canoe.

Last week, Talia met with youth programs & marketing manager Kelly McHugh, executive director Caroline Killhour and vice president of the Hui’s Board of Directors John Hoxie to present a donation for the $3,000 that she was able to raise during this incredible feat.

“It had been about 1 year since I thought of the idea. I knew that it was time to start. If I was going to make a difference, then I should probably start in my own Home town and community,” remarks Gangini, “I am so happy that I was able to make some kind of difference in a hope to give children of Maui the chance that I had whether it be photography, silk screening, jewelry or painting. I can't wait to continue this each year and hope to give more.”

“Talia’s act of philanthropy at such a young age is a true testament to the impact of arts education on our youth,” remarks Killhour, “Now more than ever, as public arts funding is consistently the fist to be cut in these tough economic times, it is so important to support initiatives like Talia’s that keep these programs accessible to all- and continually shape positivity, self-expression and independence in our future leaders.”

It is expected that Talia’s scholarship donation will provide access to high-quality, sequential visual arts instruction for 30 – 50 youth aged 5 – 17 this year. Visit huinoeau.com/classes to browse our offerings and to access the Hui’s scholarship application today!

Feedback from Talia: "In February of this year I was when I starting planning and really setting my mind to Craft for a Cause it had been about 1 year since I thought of the idea. I knew that it was time to start. If I was going to make a difference, then I should probably start in my own Home town and community by combining Land and Sea, the Art and Paddling world. It was such an amazing and unforgettable experience I had about 30 friends and family that came along for the Maui to Lanai crossing. We wouldn't have been able to ask for a better day the wind was perfect the sun was shining. After paddling to Lanai we had a big family style Pot luck picnic lunch on the Trilogy and enjoyed exploring and snorkeling right off the beautiful cliffs of Lanai, It was a very blessed day. I would not have been able to accomplish this event without Trilogy, Friends and family who supported it, everyone who came along on the boat donated at least $25.00 and moral support. The next week I paddled from Maui to Molokai the conditions were supposed to be totally flat with no wind which is not a good thing. I want it to be windy with a lot white caps, it ended up being another great day out in the Pailolo channel but nothing like the weekend before. I am so happy that I was able to make some kind of difference in a hope to give children of Maui the chance that I had whether it be photography, silk screening, jewelry or painting. I can't wait to continue this each year and hope to give more."