Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Ready. Set. CREATE!

Dear Friends,

At Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center, we've it made our mission to unlock creativity through exceptional visual arts education. We truly believe the arts have the power to improve individuals, our community and our future. Get engaged today! Give a gift to our Annual Giving campaign and join us in ensuring access to the arts is a part of everyday life on Maui. Why is it important to support the arts?

Because it's good for you!
Art provides a fun, cathartic, and meaningful outlet for creative thinking and expression, is an important vehicle for self-realization and the exploration of your identity. It pushes and stretches your creative capacities, paving the way for essential problem-solving skills. Art is thought-provoking, educational and entertaining. It stimulates minds and hearts, deepens perspectives, and gives life meaning. Simply put, the value that art provides is irreplaceable.

Because it's good for your community!
Art builds community by creating social connections and increasing cross-cultural awareness, offering another mechanism for understanding your own perceptions and their relevance to others. Art promotes civic engagement. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, participants in the arts are more than twice as likely to volunteer and contribute substantial social capital to their communities. Additionally, artists and arts organizations fuel the local economy, contributing to an increase in jobs, tourism, and the success of small Maui businesses. Art makes your community a better place to live!

Because it's good for your future!
The arts nourish and mold future leaders of your community by helping youth to develop a better understanding of the world around them. Arts education makes a tremendous impact on the developmental growth of Maui youth and has been proven to help level the "learning field" across socio-economic boundaries. An arts education develops a sense of craftsmanship and positive work ethic, strengthens critical thinking and goal-setting skills, and significantly adds to overall academic achievement. Furthermore, it encourages students to nurture a sense of self-confidence and pride in their work, and inspires at-risk youth to stay in school for a brighter future.

How can I help?
Take action right now! Give a 100% tax-deductible contribution to the Hui's Annual Giving campaign today! Your support gives our community the necessary economic and social benefits provided by a lively and dynamic arts scene.

Every gift makes a difference; no gift is too large or too small! And it's easy to give-simply click here to submit your contribution online or call us at (808) 572-6560 ext. 33 to pay by phone. Your gift will create invaluable opportunities in the visual arts that benefit you, your community and your future. Ready. Set. Create!

Mahalo nui loa,

Caroline Killhour
Executive Director

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

A Terrific 4th Annual Portfolio Day

On Monday, November 15, Hui No`eau hosted its 4th annual Portfolio Day. This (free) event featured admissions representatives from five leading art colleges & universities offering one-on-one consultations to those interested in pursuing a career in the visual arts. A truly critical service for Maui youth, 45 reviews were offered to students from schools including Kamehameha, Baldwin, Seabury, Maui High and Maui Prep. Classroom teachers mingled, students shared their work with one another, parents connected and college reps were unanimously impressed by the caliber of talent exhibited in the group. Our warmest Mahalo to the Art Institutes, California College of the Arts, Cornish College of the Arts, Pacific Northwest College of Art and Savannah College of Art and Design for joining us at the Hui- we hope to see you all again next year!

Young artists patiently await their turn to meet one-on-one with the college of their choice.

Cheryl Haworth, Art Institutes: West Coast Region

Cari McIalwain, Cornish College of the Arts: Seattle, WA

Robynne Royster, California College of the Arts: San Francisco, CA

Dominique Farrar, Savannah College of Art and Design: Savannah, GA

Sarah Kamsler, Pacific Northwest College of Art: Portland, OR

Friday, October 1, 2010

Nunez & Reyes Team Up with Baldwin HS for "Malama Ko Aloha" Mural

This summer, Hui No`eau welcomed dynamic artist in residence Orlando Reyes to co-develop a case study on how the visual arts can be used as a catalyst for social change. As founding director of the critically acclaimed Jersey City-based 58 Gallery, the established painter, curator and arts entrepreneur has created a focal point on the East Coast that "fills the gap created by the exclusivity of the New York art market and raises a red flag on corporate irresponsibility." He has done extensive work with at-risk youth in New York and New Jersey and overseen public mural pieces on an international scale.

During his time at the Hui, Reyes challenged teen participants aged 13-18 to create connections between pressing social issues, cultural identity, modern symbology, and visual storytelling, thereby developing an open forum to collaboratively express their individuality. Over the course of a 20-hour intensive workshop entitled "Many Stories, Many Voices," his crew, (as he prefers to address them), produced a remarkable 16' x 8' mural aptly labeled Re-Evolve. The piece depicts each teens' individual approach to a societal norm with their particular reinterpretation or development of that idea- from the invention of a new species of fauna (e.g. the Uninarwhale, or combination of a unicorn, narwhal and whale) to an unusual portrayal of a national icon (e.g. a multiple-limbed, swollen Uncle Sam character engulfing Earth)- with commonalities including style, theory, color theme, and above all else- discourse.

"The whole process was political in a profound sense in that we were able to inspire the next generation of Maui leaders to take a societal norm, break it down, make it their own and then see it evolve into something entirely fresh," said Reyes, "It was about creating an identity rather than allowing society to dictate one for you during what is an incredibly sensitive time in a kid's life. I saw that change right away, on
the first day I saw a 12 year old and an 18 year old leave the studio in 2 different directions for lunch, but by the end of the day they were walking side by side exchanging ideas and getting excited about expressing a combined vision."

"Orlando's mural class was ah-mazing. I would take this class again anytime and paint until I spontaneously combust!" commented Gena Ryan, age 13. "My experience was FUN," said Lauren Hecker, age 15, "We learned a lot and all worked together to make something that shows aspects of all of us." The Re-Evolve
mural is currently on display in the Hui's free gallery through September 16th, (alongside an exclusive compilation of Reyes' own artwork), and will later be installed beside the Christopher Gartner Children's Studio.

The buzz generated by this developing Hui program has garnered the attention of a multitude of neighbor schools, including Kalama Intermediate (who recently completed 2 large-scale murals alongside Hui staff themed "We All Belong) and Baldwin High School, currently working on a 35-foot piece that was developed in a partnership between Baldwin's Jan Sato, Reyes and Hui teaching artist Nathalie Nunez, wh
o trained closely under Reyes during his residency.

"Orlando's energy and dedication to his students is completely invigorating," says Nunez, "segueing with him into Jan's classroom really boosted the energy of the program, and Jan's ability to pull her students out of their shells and express their ideas is truly inspiring. This is going to be a great experience for everyone involved."

Using the idea of Malama Ko Aloha
, 78 Baldwin students will plan and execute a piece to help establish and promote the vision of "keeping the love," taking care of aloha. This huge, collaborative effort by the art students reinforces a school wide emphasis on understanding and constructing main ideas and supporting details. The main idea of keeping and sharing love will flow throughout the mural in the form of flowing lines - water, hair, he'e, mountain lines. The connection to ohana and foundation will be supported by the images of the banyan tree - roots, branches, leaves, hands, care. A large array of supporting details will come in the form of floating bubbles of thoughts (interpretations of aloha) – including contributions from various students who may wish to share in the project even if they are not in one of the elective classes. When finished, the mural will reach more than 1,600 students daily.

Sato, Reyes and Nunez met at the opening of the current Hui exhibition "The Politics of Paper/ Many Stories, Many Voices," featuring the Re-Evolve
teen mural. They began talking about the possibility of working together before Reyes' return to the east coast and a week later they were on the campus of Baldwin High School scoping out the mural site. "I really appreciate being able to provide my students the opportunity to interact with talented, energetic artists who bring that breath of the professional world to our classrooms," says Sato, "Over the past 4 years, our collaboration with Hui has been instrumental to the growth & success of our art program and has been the impetus for many of our graduates who are enjoying their lives as artists in many capacities. We are forever grateful for the inspiration and nudge of confidence that your programs have provided."

Hui No`eau Visual Arts Center is dedicated to continuing these and
other pending partnerships with schools to implement mural arts programs. Murals create an awareness of and appreciation for the visual arts while building a sense of pride and connection within and throughout the community. Public art in general and murals in particular can create and define a neighborhood, enhance the environment and feed the cultural soul of our island. To learn more about how your school can partner with the Hui, contact Kelly McHugh, Youth Programs & Marketing Manager at kmchugh@huinoeau.com or (808) 572-6560 ext. 29.Listen to Orlando's interview with HI NPR's Noe Tanigawa here.
Take a look at the Baldwin mural here.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Join Us this Friday: Teen Moderates Free Panel Discussion on Arts & Social Justice

As you may have heard by now, the Hui currently has two dynamic artists in residence that have been working feverishly to provide opportunities for community members to make creative connections between the visual arts and social activism- from professional development for public school teachers to career goal setting to linoleum cut printmaking workshops, and more.

The program, entitled “The Politics of Paper/ Many Stories, Many Voices,” was made possible by grants from the Hawai'i People's Fund and the Laila Twigg-Smith Art Fund of the Hawai'i Community Foundation as well as individual donors to our children’s program through the 2009 & 2010 Art Affair fundraising events. It will be used as a case study about how art can be used as a catalyst for social change - empowering participants with new perspectives, artistic inspiration and a dynamic exchange of ideas.

With activities including research of non-arts Maui-based organizations, preparing a plan of action for working together to raise awareness of issues of social justice and implementing a collaborative curriculum that specifically addresses the resulting issue/s, visiting artists Favianna Rodriguez of Oakland, California and Orlando Reyes of Jersey City, New Jersey have conducted on and offsite planning meetings, video interviews, hands-on visual arts workshops for youth and adults, open studios, professional development workshops for neighboring school classroom teachers and will curate a culminating public exhibition launching Friday, August 6th.

This Friday, July 23rd, offers a rare opportunity for community members to meet & greet the artists, see samples of their artwork and projects they have produced throughout the world, and participate in an interactive panel discussion about the power of the visual arts to inspire social change. The selected panelists represent a wide range of perspectives including an arts activist, public muralist, social justice advocate, social scientist and arts administrator. This will be a great opportunity to learn from and contribute to a communal discourse about transforming individual creativity to collective activism. The event is on Friday, July 23rd from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. It is free & open to the public.

The conversation will be moderated by 18-year old Chris Ferrer, who is currently completing his first teen intensive with Favianna Rodriguez and plans to complete Orlando Reyes’ mural arts intensive next week, which will be assisted by Basquiat-inspired New York City artist Doze Green. Now entering the Politics, Philosophy & Economics program at Claremont McKenna in Claremont, California, Chris has moderated discussions for Seabury Hall’s philosophy club for 4 years. We think it’s incredibly cool that he’ll be here running things on Friday evening.

Panelists:
Caroline Killhour, ED, Hui No`eau Visual Arts Center
Nancy Aleck, ED, HI People's Fund
Bob Grossman, PhD, President & CEO of Afterschool Art 501(c)3
Favianna Rodriguez, Resident Artist
Orlando Reyes, Resident Artist

Join Us!
2010 Artists in Residence Program Slide Lecture & Panel Discussion
Friday, July 23, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Hui Solarium
FREE

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Great Makawao Paint-Out Invitational 2010 & Lecture by Ronaldo Macedo

Great Makawao Paint-Out Invitational 2010 & Lecture by Ronaldo Macedo
July 6th: Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center
9am to 4pm Follow the Plein Air Painters to the Hui!.
4:30pm to 5:30pm FREE LECTURE by Ronaldo Macedo

You are invited to join us as the artists of the Great Makawao Paint-Out Invitational spend their day on the grounds of the Hui No`eau Visual Arts Center on Tuesday, July 6th from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. The session culminates with a lecture by Ronaldo Macedo, the juror for the event, in the Hui Solarium, from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm.

• Visit our Hui2 Gallery Shop: Choose from many Plein Air Paintings by Judy Bisgard, Julie Houck, Martha Vockrodt, Karen Camara or Mark Brown
• Take the opportunity to learn more about upcoming Hui Exhibitions; Call for Artists.
• Call ahead for a Hui Gourmet Lunch basket. (Please call 24 hours in advance 572.6560)
• Go on a self-guided walking tour of Kaluanui and learn about the Plants at the Hui!
• Check out our new History room!!! Take a step back in time and learn about Harry and Ethel Baldwin and how the Hui came to be what we enjoy today.

The Great Makawao Paint-Out is a Viewpoints Gallery sponsored event that brings the talent and the process to the forefront, as Maui is revealed in oils and pastels, and is a must-attend for anyone interested in the creation of the finer arts.

Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center
2841 Baldwin Ave
Makawao, HI USA 96768
Email: info@huinoeau.com
Website: www.huinoeau.com

Additional information on Great Makawao Paint-Out Invitational 2010 sponsored by Viewpoints Gallery.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Kalama Unveils Hui Murals

On Saturday, May 8th, nearly 100 teachers, students, friends and
faculty gathered at Kalama Intermediate to celebrate the unveiling of
2 large-scale murals, a project that has been 7 months in the making.

The unveiling was featured as part of Kalama's 25th Anniversary,
focused on the theme "We All Belong." Led by Hui teaching artist
Nathalie Nunez, Marilyn Morikawa's 7th grade class spent 4 months
planning, designing and creating the set of murals while
simultaneously learning about the value of student similarities and
differences, and how each contributes to the rich experience of Kalama
culture.

"Mahalo to the Hui for its continued support of our youth," remarks
Kalama Principal John Costales, "these murals are something we can all
be proud of for years to come."

Special thanks to Jim Sanders for offering this partnership the support it needed to come to fruition. (Learn more here).



Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Announcing the Hui's 2010 Solo Artists

The purpose of the Hui No‘eau exhibition program is to cultivate in the public a fuller appreciation of and interest in art by promoting cultural exchange, spurring dialogue, enhancing awareness of and providing access to the visual arts; ultimately creating a space for community arts.

The Solo Artist Exhibition stands out as one of the only of its kind in the state of Hawai‘i, providing artists the unique opportunity to be intricately involved in all facets of planning and installation. The exposure this opportunity provides for the artists has proven to be invaluable and has been instrumental in furthering the careers and artistic growth of those selected by the Hui’s highly respected roster of exhibition committee members.

As an organization dedicated to enabling community access to the broad range of benefits offered by the visual arts, we consistently seek individuals that can handle the challenge of translating complex ideas into imagery, thus allowing our constituency to learn, question or become inspired to create in their own way. The Solo Artist Exhibition is vital to the Hui’s exhibition program in its ability to tell a story about the participating artists, the way they work and providing access to them to gain a critical perspective about how and why this new body of work came to be.

This year, we proudly present Eli Baxter and Jaisy Hanlon as our featured artists.

Baxter’s site-specific installation will incorporate sculpture that is part of an on-going body of work that combines themes of transformation, obsession, labor, reproduction, and fertility while exploring a dialogue with space and the relationship between the inside and outside. “I want the viewer to become aware of not only the artwork, but the space that contains it (and his/her movement within it), so that this becomes an element as well to his/her experience,” says the artist, “The work itself is both highly suggestive of organic plant life or foliage, yet at the same time, it has a very industrial, man-made fetishistic quality. These elements and ideas tie into my on-going interest in the interaction and interrelation between nature and human nature, and feels appropriate for the Hui No`eau as an art center that that has a complex, varied history.”

Hanlon’s new body of work will explore a nature that has been slightly mediated by fantasy- imaginary creatures floating in surreal environments that reference reality only in their singular parts- and expand her ideas from her traditional 2D format into a more sculptural format. With foci including Audobon etchings, plant armatures, an open air terrarium and spider web sculpture, her resulting Wunderkrammer, (or “cabinet room”), will pay homage to the relationship between history and nature. “My intent is to create work that is a hybrid of natural history specimen and contemporary sculpture,” states Hanlon, “I believe that artists have a responsibility not only to surprise but to educate- it is my hope that I can achieve both with this body of work.”

To learn more about the Hui’s Solo Artist Exhibition and read about past artists, refer to our past entries: Artist Announcement & Artist Interview.

The 2010 Solo Artist Exhibition will be open Monday through Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm in the Hui’s main hose September 24th - November 10th, 2010.

Eli Baxter

Jaisy Hanlon

Hui & Kamali'i: Partners in Arts Education

Over the course of the last year, representatives from both Hui No‘eau and Kamali‘i Elementary have worked together closely to develop and implement strategies for integrating the visual arts into Kamali‘i’s core curriculum, a public school in Kihei that until now had no formalized arts programming.

A planning committee comprised of Kamali‘i Principal Mary Auvil, community development & grants volunteer Yvonne Biegel, Susan Erickson of the Parent Community Networking Center, Hui Children’s Program Coordinator Kelly McHugh and Hui Executive Director Caroline Killhour developed a pilot program last spring that would use the visual arts as a catalyst for learning history and science lessons currently being taught in 2nd grade classrooms. The resulting 10-session program engaged 50 second-grade students and 2 classroom teachers in an age-appropriate, sequential based arts curriculum integrating the visual arts into subjects of life cycles and anthropology. “My students absolutely loved the program,” remarked Kamali‘i classroom teacher Debi Clapper, “I look forward to working with the Hui on a larger scale. The teaching artist was amazing!”

Based on the success of the pilot, the program doubled its reach in the fall, creating partnerships between 2 Hui teaching artists and 4 Kamali‘i classroom teachers and extending arts education to both the 2nd and 4th grades. With themes ranging from Inuit Indians, the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum and Hawaiian culture and anthropology, students built relationships between native Hawaiian environments, indigenous peoples, and world history to allow the discovery of their artistic hand.

“It is through the arts and our partnership with the Hui that we have been able to change and enhance the learning experience for each child,” remarks Kamali‘i Principal Mary Auvil. “My hope is that integrating the arts into our curriculum will change the learning experience for students and teachers alike. While I believe it is imperative that schools focus on helping each student meet grade level standards and pass the Hawaii State Assessment, the obvious bears mentioning: passing the Hawaii State Assessment does not define education.”

With phase III plans to extend these opportunities into an after-school program, the goal is to enable access to a high-quality arts education to all interested children living in the Kihei community, even those not currently enrolled at Kamali‘i Elementary.

The Hui wishes to extend its deepest gratitude to the Kind Heart Free Spirit Foundation for making this program possible. Because if their vision and generosity, we look forward to continuing to develop arts enrichment programs for all children living in Maui’s Kihei community. Robin Courson's 2nd grade Kamalii students, Maia Valois, Henry Johnston, Elijah Rodrigues, and Emily Raikes, show off their new art work, developed with Hui teaching artist Nathalie Nunez.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

HCF Supports 2010 Artist in Residence Program

Hui No‘eau is pleased to announce its Summer 2010 Artist in Residence program, made possible by a recent grant through Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Laila Twigg-Smith Art Fund.

In a jointly developed month-long program, Oakland, CA-based Favianna Rodriguez and Jersey City, NJ-based Orlando Reyes will present “The Politics of Paper/ Many Stories, Many Voices,” a case study about how artists can collaborate with non-arts community groups to develop messages around social justice. Program elements include building relationships with fellow HI-based nonprofit organizations to identify a socially relevant topic that will inspire hands-on visual arts workshops, panel discussions, professional development for Hawaii-based artists and classroom teachers, and a culminating 6-week public exhibition.

About the Artists:
Named by UTNE Magazine as a “leading visionary artist” in the United States, artist /author/entrepreneur Favianna Rodriguez is renown for her vibrant posters dealing with social issues as well as her leadership in establishing innovative institutions that promote equality and engage new audiences in the arts. As President and co-fonder of design firm Tumis, Rodriguez travels extensively to consult with organizations interested in using visual communications and new technologies to promote community building and social change. In 2003, Rodriguez co-founded the Taller Tupac Amaru printing studio to foster resurgence in the screen-printing medium. She is co-founder of the EastSide Arts Alliance (ESAA), a cultural institution dedicated to training young artists in the tradition of arts activism. Rodriguez has lectured widely on the use of art in political engagement and the work of artists who, like herself, are bridging the community and museum, the local and international. She has worked closely with artists in Mexico, Europe, and Japan and has exhibited at Museo del Barrio (New York); de Young Museum (San Francisco); Mexican Fine Arts Center (Chicago); Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (San Francisco); and internationally at the House of Love & Dissent (Rome), Parco Museum (Tokyo), as well as in England, Belgium, and Mexico. Her artwork also appears in The Design of Dissent (Rockport Publishers, 2006), Peace Signs: The Anti-War Movement Illustrated (Edition Olms, 2004), and The Triumph of Our Communities: Four Decades of Mexican Art (Bilingual Review Press, 2005).

Founding Director of the critically acclaimed Jersey City-based 58 Gallery, painter, curator and arts entrepreneur Orlando Reyes has produced solo shows and private commissions in fine art metropolises, including Copenhagen, Brussels, Paris, and Florence. A centerpiece in the New Jersey/New York contemporary art scene, the 58 Gallery has hosted over 200 artists in more than 200 shows with the primary focus of filling the gap created by the elitism of the New York art market, prioritizing creativity and innovation. An early exposure to large-scale public painting via graffiti led Reyes to pursue two apprenticeships under established fine art painters in 1983, offering such techniques as Flemish oil painting and the color theory of Matisse. In 1988, Reyes took his art to a public realm as he helped launch a series of socially engaged, street-based art campaigns around controversial issues such as AIDS, art censorship, and the corporate irresponsibility. As he became more immersed with the mastery of painting, Reyes left the U.S. and headed to Jamaica to pursue an artist in residence in the study of impressionism, landscape painting, and light manipulation. His love for and mastery of color and pigment eventually led him into an abstract and non-linear approach, culminating in the complete abandonment of brushes. Reyes’ present day painting approach incorporates the use of eyedroppers as a way of pursuing an organic, pigment-centered style. His cultural, urban, and nomadic roots resonate throughout his art. Reyes’ work continues to be exhibited in galleries, museums and in public, both nationally and internationally.

Visit us online at www.huinoeau.com soon for developing program information & details. In the meantime, mark your calendars with the following program dates:

Teen Intensive Workshop with Favianna Rodriguez
Monday, July 12 – Thursday, July 15 (10 am – 2 pm)

Portfolio Review Sessions with Favianna Rodriguez
Friday, July 16 (10 am – 2 pm)

Free slide lecture and panel discussion with Favianna Rodriguez & community collaborators (TBD)
Friday, July 16 (6 pm – 8 pm)

Adult Intensive Workshop with Favianna Rodriguez
Monday, July 19 – Wednesday, July 21 (9 am – 1 pm)

“Teach the Teachers” with Favianna Rodriguez
Thursday, July 22 (10 am – 4 pm)

Teen Intensive Workshop with Orlando Reyes
Monday, July 19 – Thursday, July 22 (10 am – 2 pm)

Portfolio Review Sessions with Orlando Reyes
Friday, July 23 (10 am – 2 pm)

Free slide lecture and panel discussion with Orlando Reyes & community collaborators (TBD)
Friday, July 23 (6 pm – 8 pm)

Adult Intensive Workshop with Orlando Reyes
Monday, July 26 – Wednesday, July 28 (9 am – 1 pm)

“Teach the Teachers” with Orlando Reyes
Thursday, July 29 (10 am – 4 pm)

The Politics of Paper/ Many Stories, Many Voices Exhibition
Featuring work by the artists and their students
Friday, August 6 – Thursday, September 16

The Hui wishes to extend its deepest gratitude to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation and Laila Twigg-Smith Art Fund for supporting this exciting program. We look forward to seeing you this summer as we partake of this extraordinary experience!

Friday, March 5, 2010

Hui Partners with Kalama Intermediate in Preparation of 25th Anniversary

Tuesday, March 9th will mark a very special day for 50 7th grade Kalama students, volunteers and members of the Hui No‘eau youth outreach team as the last coat of paint is applied to a set of murals that have been 2 months in the making.

In recognition of Kalama Intermediate’s 25th anniversary, Principal John Costales and Classroom Teacher Marilyn Morikawa approached the Hui to brainstorm on ways to celebrate the cultural diversity and history of the school. A project entitled “We All Belong,” was developed over the course of several months of planning between Kalama and Hui No‘eau Children’s Program Coordinator Kelly McHugh. Over the course of 15 in-school visits, 2 classes of students became responsible for the planning, development and implementation of 2 large-scale murals on the grounds of the school, led by Morikawa and Hui teaching artist Nathalie Nunez.

“Marilyn has been such a supportive partner,” says Nunez, “we were both able to lend our individual strengths to the project and, together, found ways to incorporate a piece of every students’ individuality and creativity in the final pieces.” When asked about working on the grounds she says, “We have crowds of students who are in recess watching everything we are up to, many want to help that are not presently part of the program. There are lots of kids who want to sign up for art classes after seeing what they are capable of doing.”

The project was made possible by individual donations through the Hui’s “Raise the Paddle” auction at both the 2009 and 2010 Art Affair benefits, as well as the gracious support of Jim Sanders of Jim Sanders Reality, Inc. “We feel very fortunate to be able to work at this scale in our community,” says Hui Executive Director Caroline Killhour, “By continuing to raise these vital outreach funds, we are able to offer scholarships, supplies and the guidance of high-caliber artists that help enable access to the visual arts to every interested child across Maui.”

"What an incredible collaboration to help celebrate our 25th anniversary!” remarks Morikawa, “ the Hui team's expertise and enthusiasm has driven this project from idea to synthesis to production- my students and I have learned so much. Thank you, Nathalie and Hui No‘eau, for your contribution to Kalama Intermediate School."

The murals will be unveiled during the school’s "25 Years – We All Belong" Celebration, scheduled for the morning May 8th, ad will also include a blessing, entertainment and presentation of the Kalama Anniversary Quilt.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Art Affair: The Bourbon Street Ball

On the evening of Saturday, February 27, Hui No`eau celebrated our 18th annual Art Affair to the theme of “The Bourbon Street Ball.” The potential tsunami earlier in the day did not dampen spirits at the Kaluanui estate; over two hundred attendees created a wave of enthusiasm for the arts, raising vital funds in support of the Hui.

Dressed in their most festive jazz and Mardi Gras attire, artists and community supporters enjoyed delicious Cajun cuisine by Bev Gannon’s Celebrations Catering, live Dixieland Jazz by Raw Silk featuring Kelly Covington and Fulton Tashombe, live and silent auction of fine art and service packages led by expert auctioneer Kip Toner, youth dance performance by Maui Academy of Performing Arts dancers and our established Raise the Paddle auction- this year, in support of Hui youth programs.

John W. Hoxie, Jr. was awarded the Board of Directors Recognition Award for his longstanding commitment to and support of the arts center throughout his 7-year volunteer tenure. Maui artist George Allan was awarded the Hui Angel Award in appreciation of his many years of inspiration, volunteerism and dedication to the Hui. Inger Tully, Hui Board Member and Curator of Exhibitions of The Contemporary Museum in Honolulu, offered a heartwarming appeal to event attendees to Raise their Paddles, resulting in a hugely successful $75,000 auction that will benefit youth programs in 2010.

“Meeting our Raise the Paddle goal was both an exciting and very emotional experience,” says Kelly McHugh, Children’s Program Coordinator, “We’ve worked so hard over the past year building & strengthening programs that enable access to high-quality arts education to youth from all Maui neighborhoods- from day trips to the Hui to customized classes for children with special needs to partnering with public schools on getting our artists into their classrooms- it’s incredibly rewarding to know that our work has made a difference and that our supporters are so ready & willing to help in this way.”

In the spirit of the theme “The Bourbon Street Ball,” the Hui will be donating a portion of the event’s proceeds to New Orleans-based nonprofit “Young Aspirations / Young Artists” whose mission is to empower creative young people to become successful adults via the arts.

“We have been so fortunate to sustain and even build our support system during what has been a very challenging year for the nonprofit arts sector here on Maui,” says Hui Executive Director Caroline Killhour, “one can only imagine the added difficulty of trying to raise funds for the arts in New Orleans. We are honored to support a fellow arts education organization in this way and enormously thankful to all of the volunteers and supporters that helped to make this year’s Art Affair such a success.”

Mahalo to all of you who came together to create such a memorable evening. Learn more at www.artaffairmaui.com


Photos by Anna Kim

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Make Way for Art Affair!

With only two weeks until our biggest event of the year, the Hui is simply buzzing with artistic energy, anticipation and excitement as we prepare for Art Affair 2010: The Bourbon Street Ball!

This valued and festive tradition brings together a strong community of artists, educators, collectors, and more to help raise funds for the art and outreach programs of Hui No`eau - Maui's premiere visual arts education center.

Featuring live Dixieland Jazz by Raw Silk, featuring Kelly Covington and Fulton Tashombe, delectable Cajun dinner and treats by Bev Gannon's Celebrations Catering, live auction of the best in fine art Maui has to offer led by the acclaimed Kip Toner, a silent auction that includes getaways, entertainment and more, this year's Art Affair promises to be an event to talk about for years to come. John W. Hoxie, Jr. will be presented with the Board of Directors Recognition Award for his unrelenting support of Hui No‘eau. George Allan will be presented with the Hui Angel Award for his many years of inspiration. Additionally, the New Orleans-based nonprofit Young Aspirations/ Young Artists (YA/YA) will receive a portion of the event's proceeds in the spirit of this year's theme.

“We're thrilled by the Hui's decision to support YA/YA in this way!” says YA/YA Executive Director Baty Landis, “This contribution will enable 40 New Orleans public school students access to the arts, 6 developing artists a fulfilling collaboration experience, and 4 classroom teachers tools to successfully integrate the visual arts into their regular curriculum through our Urban Heroes program.”

Seating is limited for this extravagant event, held at the historic Kaluanui estate in beautiful Upcountry Maui. Call the Hui today at 572-6560 or visit us at www.huinoeau.com to purchase your tickets!

Visit the event website

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Tots R Us

Earlier this week, we were thrilled to welcome TOTS R US to the Hui's Explore & Discover program. Led by Kristy Copperfield & Whitney Brown, the group worked with teaching artist and Hui registrar Lana Coryell to build their very own mailboxes, toured the Annual Juried Exhibition and learned about Kaluanui plants and trees with the help of our new Plant Guide. See for yourself!
The Explore & Discover program offers a wide range of free to low-cost options for schools and groups to participate in high quality visual arts learning through relevant, engaging, FUN experiences. Click here to download a copy of our outreach brochure.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Announcing the Kaluanui Experience

Over the past year, Executive Director Caroline Killhour and a team of staff and supporters have been hard at work developing the Kaluanui Experience— a new program sharing the history and botany of the Hui's unique property with Maui's visitors and residents.

The program consists of a new historical exhibition room, a guidebook to three new walking tours of the Kaluanui property with detailed information about the expansive range of plants and trees throughout the estate, and workshops linked to the Hui's Green Art Series, such as Natural Hawaiian Dyes and Dyeing which uses live samples from our vast collection of estate plants and trees to create original dyes and live color.

Developed by Kari McCarthy and Darrell Orwig, the historical exhibition room provides Hui guests with the opportunity to discover the rich history of the estate. Located in a former bedroom downstairs, the room has been recently transformed to artfully display Ethel Baldwin's collection of hollowware silver as well as many historical photos, sketchbooks, and journals. "After watching this room develop over the past few months, it is exciting to finally unveil it and share it with everyone," said Killhour.

These activities represent just the beginning of the Kaluanui Experience with plans in the works to publish additional booklets and create rotating exhibitions for the historical space. As the Hui's offerings continue to grow, we welcome you to visit and explore these fantastic new opportunities!

Maui Woodworkers Guild presents Alfred Sharp at Hui No‘eau

Mark you calendars for March 19, 2010 slideshow & March 20, 2010 workshop with Alf Sharp at Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center. Presented by the Maui Woodworkers Guild.

Recipient of the 2008 Cartouche Award from the Society of American Period Furnituremakers, Alf is a master of high and low relief carving, inlay, marquetry, and French polishing. He is a prolific and masterful craftsman of 18th-century reproductions and has also made many of his own contemporary pieces.

Alf Sharp has over thirty years experience in the studio furniture field, with completed commissions for a number of historical homes, museums, and many private and corporate clients. He serves on the Boards of several related arts institutions and is well respected inside the ranks of the furniture-making community, as well as among designers, curators, and collectors nationwide.

Sharp encourages a greater rapprochement between the realms of traditional and contemporary furniture makers. He says, "A number of us have worked hard in the last decade to remind the contemporary furniture world just how much they owe to traditional design and technique, and I believe we've been very successful in growing appreciation and acceptance for traditional makers and their values. I'd like to make a plea for a similar recognition of how much truly outstanding work has been done by the last two or three generations of furniture makers. I'm thoroughly convinced that we are presently living through as fertile a period for furniture design and craftsmanship as was the 18th century."

"One of the things I have loved about this activity, and what kept it alive for me, is that there is no end to what you can learn, and no upper limit to the skills you can develop. In theory, you could continue to progress in your skills through several lifetimes."

Material fee and reservations are required for the March 20 workshop. Contact Ricardo Vasquez 269-2745 or ricardovasquez@mac.com for info.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Hui No‘eau Annual Juried Exhibition: Raising the Bar for Maui Arts

On Friday, January 8 nearly 200 individuals gathered at Hui No`eau Visual Arts Center to celebrate the opening of its Annual Juried Exhibition. Generously sponsored by Jack & Carolyn Schaefer Gray, Robert & Fran Davidson and Louis & Jolene Cole , this prestigious multi-media arts competition offered an opportunity to view the current work of Hui members aged 16+ as well as participate in topics upon which contemporary minds are engaged. Each year, nationally renowned guest jurors represent respected curators and artists from Maui, Hawai'i and beyond, offering a different perspective for a unique and fresh show. With only 50 pieces selected from 288 entries, the 2010 Annual Juried Exhibition continues to represent a highly competitive and valued program in our visual arts community.

This year the Hui was fortunate to welcome distinguished jurors Inger Tully, Curator of Exhibitions at The Contemporary Museum in Honolulu and Theresa Papanikolas, Curator of European and American Art at Honolulu Academy of Arts. "This year's submissions offered a snapshot of a lively art community and revealed trends as well as outstanding individuals," remarked Tully, "(During the jurying process,) many of the works made us think, laugh, or wonder, and all raised questions: How was this done, exactly? What was the inspiration? Who is this artist and what is their background? Or simply: What was the artist thinking!?"

The exhibition is on view now through February 18th, Monday – Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm. Admission to Hui No'eau is free. View a sneak peak of the artwork HERE.

Hear what the artists have to say:

I'm so excited to be a part of this show! Ever since I was introduced to the Hui a few years ago, I've admired the many different exhibitions I've seen here. This is the first time I've been one of the artists in the Hui gallery, and I am honored to have my work hanging amongst all these pieces created by such talented folks! Making and appreciating art has always been an integral part of my life, and I'm thankful that I continue to grow and improve as an artist. We are lucky to have a place like the Hui here in our community, where classes and evolving exhibitions and studios are so easily accessible. The visual arts enrich our lives, and complement the beautiful and amazing island we live on. -Katie Browne

Since I artistically "grew up" at the Hui and am currently an independent potter here, it is an incredible honor to have my work accepted into the show. I have learned from many incredible Hui ceramics instructors. The "Finding Your Voice in Clay" class determined that my voice is, in fact, schizophrenic, and other classes impressed upon me the dreadful importance of diligent attention to detail. Also, I benefitted from the generous guidance of the independent potters. George, Stacey, and many others stopping their own work to teach me subtleties and techniques rather than let me bang my head against the wall. Finally, the synergistic sharing of methodology, support, and, most of all, friendship with other Hui potters has allowed my creativity to explode. -Mary Ann Leigh

First of all I want to say thank you for the venue to show this work. I appreciate the Hui and its on going support of the artists. For this show, I am so appreciative for the interest in three-dimensional work and the interest in non-traditional jewelry. I feel supported by this institute and love that it's a bridge to the larger Maui and Hawaii community. It's important for a community to support the visual arts this way to hear all of the individual voices that make up the community. Maui is wonderful but sometimes the community is not aware of all the variety of important art being created here. There is a world outside of the visitor industry that is often overlooked. I find it important to look for and listen to all of the members, even those who are still finding their voice. -Anita Laviola

It is quite an honor and also a responsibility to keep testing the limits of my own creativity and ability to communicate an idea or concept through the mediums of acrylic or watercolor. The Hui is our finest resource in the arts and as a social force. Moving to Hawaii in 1994 I was immediately made aware of the existence and educational benefits of the Hui. As part of the faculty at the Alternative Learning Center High School we include the Hui in our curriculum to give our students awareness and experience of the arts through watercolor, studio crafts and art history with such great instructors as Pamela Hayes. Our students look forward to the Hui each week and treasure their productions. The whole community is invited to participate in this mini University of the Arts and the wide support it enjoys is a reflection of a space which has an exquisite form and a continuously evolving and developing function: to allow all to experience the arts. I am grateful to be part of an exhibit to show some of the works of the Hui No`eau membership. Aloha, Sharon Dahl

It is certainly an honor to have been accepted into this exhibition at Hui No`eau Visual Arts Center. I know that less than 18% of the work submitted for the jury selection made it into this show. I am very excited and feel most privileged to be able to share my glass fusion artwork in this place so richly steeped in Maui history and creative abundance. It is especially inspiring to know that the art selected may be inclusive of work from students to masters of the arts. This type of exposure for all levels of artists is important, especially in today's challenging economic climate. The community support of the visual arts, and every art form, is so much more critical in recent years. Our citizens hunger for artistic stimulation in light of the public school funding limitations. We are very fortunate to have this "Hui" to facilitate the visual arts on Maui to help feed our creative appetites. With much appreciation, Audrey Ventimiglia

I am honored and delighted to be accepted in the Hui show. I really appreciate all that the Hui does for our community and this show is an example of how the Hui gives support back to its' supporters. From the time I first moved to the island, I have loved being involved in the large variety of classes that the Hui provides and the whole experience of being able to take them in such a magical location. Thanks again. Warmest aloha Virginia Pierce

It has been said, "Arts are the glue that hold a community together." I am honored to be included with this group of artists in this amazing community. "Every child is an artist. The challenge is to remain an artist after you grow up," Pablo Picasso shared. He also stated, "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." I believe our lives are enriched by art especially art created in your own community. -Ricardo Vasquez

I think that it is extremely important to get your art viewed by the public--having said that I am humbled and honored to have my work chosen for this particular show. As a juried exhibition, the show becomes a reflection of the experience and artistic backgrounds of the jurors themselves. That is why having two wonderful Hawaii jurists from the Honolulu Academy of Art and the Contemporary Museum can in itself elevate the visual conversation for this show. I have not yet seen the work for this show but I am very much looking forward to this Friday's opening. Kudos for getting the support of these jurors for the Hui member show. -Terry Lopez, MFA, drawing and painting, CSUF

I feel very honored to get into the exhibit and I respect the opinions of the jurors. I like getting feed back from other members. The community needs to support the visual arts in this way because it gives people insight into new ways of looking at things. –Judy Bisgard

As an Artist I am privileged to have my work selected for this exhibition, and to show with the other artists that were chosen. I have been blessed being so close to the Hui and seeing first hand what Magic happens on this wonderful property. There are very few venues that Art can be shown in a proper way. The fact that any Maui resident & Hui Member has the opportunity to be chosen to exhibit in this setting is truly a gift. We are so lucky to have a community that supports the Arts and I am always in joyful thanks that Maui is my home and having the Hui as a place of inspiration, collaboration, and community keeps me growing as an Artist !! Cheers Tim Garcia

As an expressionist, I encourage artists to reveal (to themselves and to others) what they are discovering about truth and purpose. Exhibitions such as these give me a chance to share the progression of my own revelations over time, and to note what discoveries and changes other artists are making. Some are predictably inspiring, others surprising! -Pat Masumoto
Reverend Kipi Higa offers a blessing before exhibition sponsors Jack & Carolyn Schaefer Gray and Jolene & Louis Cole

Juror Inger Tully offers background information on a piece by Akira Iha.

Featured artist Katie Browne admires artwork by Hui Executive Director Caroline Killhour

Bailey Golden and Kaela Forsythe react enthusiastically to a piece by Michael Worcester