On Thursday, July 5, Hui No‘eau will welcome the first of 2 mural artists to Maui as part of its 2012 Artist-in-Residence program: Shira Walinsky of Philadelphia, PA.
With an MFA in painting from the University of Pennsylvania, Shira Walinsky is a painter, printmaker and muralist who has been a featured artist with the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program since 2000. Her interdisciplinary work explores cultures and subcultures of distinct urban areas that use personal narratives to reflect larger issues, transform public spaces, and develop a visual language using typography, portraits and textiles. She serves as co-teacher with Jane Golden, Director and pioneer of the Mural Arts Program, at the University of Pennsylvania, University of the Arts, Princeton University, Bryn Mawr College and Drexel University.
To learn more about this exciting program, you can check out our website or scroll down to read previous blog posts. To learn more about Shira...read on!
Talk about painting in large-scale- what about this appeals to you as an artist?
I have always loved big painting. I like the scale of a piece in relation to human scale. Large painting and sculpture can take you in the way a movie can- you are surrounded by it.
What is it that appeals to you about the collaborative art-making process?
I like being in the mix of the real world people, their present and histories. I like that collaborative work can push you to expand your understanding of your work and the world you live in.
Do you ever struggle with the compromise between the direction/s of a group work vs. that prompted by your own artistic vision?
Yes this is a struggle in most work with communities. How do you balance what you have heard from people and that which you aesthetically love and can stand by? There is always a very interesting push and pull. Ultimately, the work does live and with communities and you need to do the utmost to respect this while not comprising too much so work becomes watered down.
What is community? Why is it important?
A group of people connected by a commonality. We are essentially social beings and need other people. Community can create change, problem solve, support.
What have been the biggest changes to the process of developing a mural on Maui (guerrilla territory) vs. one on your home turf (Philly)?
I think it's always tricky to go into a situation as an outsider to create something reflective of that place which is authentic. This happens going from neighborhood to neighborhood in Philadelphia, where you can also be perceived as an outsider. In Philadelphia, I am currently working on a project with refugee communities from Burma and Bhutan. Though we inhabit the same city I go in as outsider and have to research, talk to people gain trust and navigate through some language barriers. Each mural in Philadelphia has had a slightly different process but they all involve listening, talking to people showing a design and getting responses to the design. So far there have been many great conversations about Maui, but I think a big change is coming in without a baseline of familiarity with place. Murals in Philadelphia are created in conjunction with an artist, a site and a community. What is a big change with this project is the complete unfamiliarity with the site. I have never been to Hawaii but am extremely excited to gain a sense of the place by seeing it in person. I think had I not had conversations I might have been way too overwhelmed by the physical beauty of Maui to do anything but drop my jaw and right straight to the ocean! (I'm an ocean lover in a landlocked east coast city).
How would you explain MAP to Maui? What are the fundamentals of your work there?
MAP is an organization run and founded by the incredibly great and driven Jane Golden to paint walls in Philly. The program was originally directed at kids who had been sentenced for doing grafiitti to channel their talents by developing their art skills to create community-driven murals. Currently mural arts has a staff of about 30 people and somewhere between 50-70 artists a year paint murals. Mural arts provides neighborhoods an opportunity to share their stories individually and collectively through the mural making process. Mural Arts provides classes for teens and also has a restorative justice program which stress community building through the mural making process. As a result there are over 3,00 mural in Philadelphia which each tell a story of people and place. The fundamentals of my work at MAP involve working with communities in conjunction with a project manager, designing and painting murals. I have also taught with Jane Golden which has really shaped my interest and love for murals!
Why do you work for MAP?
I love big painting, I love being a part of artwork which is connected to communities. I love learning and being challenged by communities. I like feeling that art is alive and connected to a place everyday. I like seeing people who might not have a connection become involved in various aspects of the mural making process whether its going to a mural meeting or being part of a paint day. I like being a facilitator to help people tell their stories. I like the possibilities for new ways to work with communities and art! Philadelphia is a city of characters I enjoy meeting them. Its a privilege to hear peoples' stories.You get to be part of small changes happening in the city; each time there is a mural a discussion is raised around the mural in relation to what people would like to see on the wall, plus questions about the history of the place and the vision for the future. I think these discussions are really important to help get people to frame their own histories and help define their own futures.
What creates a sense of HOME for you in Philadelphia?
Connection to my family, their history here, friends, people, connectedness. Painting murals has also made Philly home to me. With each project you become invested and learn about a new part of the city. You work there every day and this site becomes part of your routine. Not only just painting the mural but going to a coffee shop and talking to people on the street. In this way I feel connected to many neighborhoods in Philly.
What could make Philadelphia BETTER?
Better Schools! Better public education system, a cleaner city, more bike lanes, proactive forward thinkers. Inventors, thinkers. Issues around class and race still a problem. more money to the mural program.
What is it that makes Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA?
East coast post industrial, we say wuter not water, its people, its flavor, 100 degrees in the summer and snow in the winter. Bricks, old factories, revitalized downtown. Its a city whose character was formed by its immigrant groups coming from Eastern Europe, Italy, Ireland and German in the early 20th century. These close knit groups formed tight neighborhoods that were drawn to Philly for the work in factories, garment industry etc.. Once these industries shut down the city faced a decline in the 1970s. Philly was founded by William Penn and has an old city feel to it.
What is it that makes Maui MAUI? (I’ll ask once now and again at the end of your residency)
From conversations so far I would say the amazing geography beauty of the landscape, being surrounded by ocean all the time, being connected to land and ocean, amazing light, color.. history.. need to understand more.. but reconciling with history with how to connect to the past.. what is the native Hawaiian voice, the mix of people and cultures. But to be really honest I feel like I need more time, more conversations and to see for myself.
Talk a bit about the range of conversations you’ve had with Mauians- provide an overview of your research process thus far. What similarities & differences do you see in terms of defining community or sharing a communal voice (Philly vs. Maui)?
There have been some great conversations so far ranging from visual descriptions of place, proximity to the ocean which feeds, to great anecdotes about Hawaiian families playing music in their garages. There have been discussion about the native Hawaiian voice and some of the divisions between native Hawaiians and newcomers. So far, I get a real sense of connectedness between people on Maui. I think the process has been little different in terms of talking over the phone and getting the response of particular people. Frequently meetings through mural arts have a randomness to them. (I say this in a good way). A meeting is held at a school or a rec center in preparation for a mural and you don't know who will show up. It could be a mix of people- some who really are invested in the project, others who wander in and become invested through the process. Sometimes getting a community together happens in a more roundabout way. Its easy to enter the neighborhood where you are doing a project and get a sense of the place by observing, going to a corner store , taking photos etc. I think there are so many murals in Philly that people are familiar with the visual vocabulary of murals. So far, the Maui mural has been a really special process. Speaking in a very directed way one-on-one has made me feel connected to the place, possibly more so than just flying in and observing. I've gotten so many great ideas and images, Ive gotten a sense of the layers of the place socio- economically, the flavor the culture the landscape. Actually the power of words is amazing through these conversations I feel like I've taken mini trips to Maui with each conversation.
Want to hear more? Join us at the Hui July 6 - 20 to enroll in one of Shira's workshops, volunteer as an artist-assistant, help us build the mural-base, or just talk story. Can't make it? Post your thoughts & ideas below.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Friday, June 15, 2012
The Hui No’eau Maui Mural Project: Preliminary Sketches!
Preliminary sketches of the 2012 Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center Maui Mural Project, by Hui Artist-in-Residence Shira Walinsky (July 2012):
Six months ago, Hui No‘eau was introduced to 2 exemplary artists through the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, Shira Walinsky & Eric Okdeh. Launched by 1984 Mayor Wilson Goode to eradicate the graffiti crisis plaguing the city, this “Anti-Graffiti Network,” as it was then known, hired the services of muralist Jane Golden to reach out to graffiti writers and to redirect their energies from destructive graffiti writing to constructive mural painting. 28 years later, Jane and her team have produced over 3,000 murals that have become a cherished part of the civic landscape and a great source of inspiration to the millions of residents and visitors who encounter them each year. Each piece is its own stunning work of art, but most importantly, they are visual products of a powerful and collaborative grassroots process that gives neighborhood residents a voice to tell their individual and collective stories, a way to pass on culture and tradition, and a vehicle to develop and empower local leaders. The process also engages thousands of Philadelphia’s at-risk children, youth, and adults who find their artistic voice, develop their self-confidence, and discover new ambitions while creating murals through numerous programs.
Over the course of the last 3 years, Hui No`eau has piloted its own mural arts program with partners including Kalama Intermediate School, Baldwin High School, 2010 Artist-in-Residence Orlando Reyes, and 2011 Visiting Artist Prime of the Oahu-based nonprofit 808 Urban. Upon meeting Jane late last year (after many years of hearing about her work), we became inspired to formalize our mural arts curriculum and seek grant support to invite artists from the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program to Maui to share their toolbox for community organizing and artistic leadership. And now, in just 3 short weeks, we will welcome the first of 2 Philadelphia muralists: Shira Walinsky, who has been working with Maui representatives to design a large-scale public art mural that will reflect, inspire and represent our community. (Read more).
Past projects like the 2010 Politics of Paper/ Many Stories, Many Voices Artist-in-Residence program with Favianna Rodriguez and Orlando Reyes stressed a programmatic approach of creating art with emphasis on group dialogue, planning, and collaboration rather than individual creativity. The 2011 Ho‘ololi Artist-in-Residence program with “Stickwork” artist Patrick Dougherty used the visual arts to bring attention to the destructive potential of invasive plants- engaging both the Hui’s arts community as well as those interested in Hawai’i’s ecology and environmental stewardship. The 2012 Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center Maui Mural Project will specifically engage the larger community to develop a unified message through the language of art. By engaging the public in the research, planning and execution of the work, these public art programs allow the Hui to use the arts as a catalyst for building community.
Tell us what you think!
Shira has been chatting with Mauians for the past few months in an effort to brainstorm on her mural content. The questions that have been posed to our community are as follows:
1) What creates a sense of "home" for you here?
2) What would/ could make Maui "better" (whatever that means to you)
3) What is it that makes Maui "Maui"?
Take a look at some of the responses below & please send us some of your own.
1) What creates a sense of "home" for you here?
2) What would/ could make Maui "better"
Hokulani Holt, Cultural Programs Director, Maui Arts & Cultural Center
Rae Takemoto, Vice Principal, Pomaikai Elementary School
Kahulu Maluo, Halau Kumu & Arts Administrator, Maui Arts & Cultural Center
Paul Wood, Writer-Teacher extraordinaire
Priscilla Mikell, Kamehameha Schools Maui
Nancy Aleck, Executive Director, Hawai‘i People's Fund
Jen Russo, Maui Time Weekly
Robin Curammeng, Art Teacher, Maui High School
Scott Fisher, Director of Conservation, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust
Michael Moore, Owner & Mastermind of Star Noodle, Old Lahaina Luau and Leoda's Kitchen
Other ways to get involved:
TEEN MURAL INTENSIVE with Artist-in-Residence Shira Walinsky – July 7 & 8 / 10 am – 4 pm
Students will explore a range of portrait possibilities using photography & collage, then enlarge images using traditional mural making techniques.
“TEACH THE TEACHERS” PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT with Artist-in-Residence Shira Walinsky – July 11 / 10 am – 4 pm
Teachers will discover the powerful educational components of mural making and come away with new tools for engagement and a mural arts curriculum by an experienced professional.
MURAL ARTS WORKSHOP with Artist-in-Residence Shira Walinsky – July 14 / 10 am – 4 pm
Participants will develop into mural artists for a day, putting their mark on this historic piece of public art and joining the team that helps transform a Maui space.
PANEL DISCUSSION with Artist-in-Residence Shira Walinsky & Friends – July 19 (6 – 7 pm)
Join us for an informative presentation by Shira and group panel discussion about the impact of community engagement through public works of art and mural making. Contribute your thoughts as we discuss the challenges and applications of art as a tool for social empowerment and change.
Check our website for regular updates
Over the course of the last 3 years, Hui No`eau has piloted its own mural arts program with partners including Kalama Intermediate School, Baldwin High School, 2010 Artist-in-Residence Orlando Reyes, and 2011 Visiting Artist Prime of the Oahu-based nonprofit 808 Urban. Upon meeting Jane late last year (after many years of hearing about her work), we became inspired to formalize our mural arts curriculum and seek grant support to invite artists from the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program to Maui to share their toolbox for community organizing and artistic leadership. And now, in just 3 short weeks, we will welcome the first of 2 Philadelphia muralists: Shira Walinsky, who has been working with Maui representatives to design a large-scale public art mural that will reflect, inspire and represent our community. (Read more).
Past projects like the 2010 Politics of Paper/ Many Stories, Many Voices Artist-in-Residence program with Favianna Rodriguez and Orlando Reyes stressed a programmatic approach of creating art with emphasis on group dialogue, planning, and collaboration rather than individual creativity. The 2011 Ho‘ololi Artist-in-Residence program with “Stickwork” artist Patrick Dougherty used the visual arts to bring attention to the destructive potential of invasive plants- engaging both the Hui’s arts community as well as those interested in Hawai’i’s ecology and environmental stewardship. The 2012 Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center Maui Mural Project will specifically engage the larger community to develop a unified message through the language of art. By engaging the public in the research, planning and execution of the work, these public art programs allow the Hui to use the arts as a catalyst for building community.
Tell us what you think!
Shira has been chatting with Mauians for the past few months in an effort to brainstorm on her mural content. The questions that have been posed to our community are as follows:
1) What creates a sense of "home" for you here?
2) What would/ could make Maui "better" (whatever that means to you)
3) What is it that makes Maui "Maui"?
Take a look at some of the responses below & please send us some of your own.
1) What creates a sense of "home" for you here?
- Safe neighborhoods. People caring for one another. Culture and arts that thrive. An environment which reflects people who care about health and beauty, that is practical.
- Natural beauty
- A distinctive & comforting culture that is unlike anywhere else in the world
- There is no such thing as I only we- modern Hawaiians straddle being in two cultures- find a balance between what elders have passed down and life in the present. Contemporary Hawaiians reach into the past
2) What would/ could make Maui "better"
- If someone could do something about the rampant racial/ethnic prejudice that is here and no one wants to talk about.
- LESS JUDGEMENT between the different types of people.
- Respect the Hawaiian traditions and learn from their wisdom.
- More venues to include older people
- More venues, events, clubs
- To stop burning cane!
- This precipice we’re living on where everything is about to change (e.g. Olowalu, Makena)
- Kapuna the old ways
- Mix of cultures: Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, cultures, festivals and rituals, obon dance, kimono, Poi performances, family get togethers colorful connecting the past and the present
- Maui is a mixture of rural and urban life. You are a part of your environment - able to interact with the city and be very connected to the environment mountains parks, the ocean…Island mentality: you must make things work together... its 3,000 miles to go anywhere else. People help each other depend on one another- importance of networks
- The relationship to the island that sustains and relationships with the community- ocean that feed you- connection to land and water- Maui means a network of relationships
- new technologies windmills, use of sea water, the importance of the ocean
- Green! Green growing things everywhere all the time! yay....
- the country living.
- The local agriculture, the whales!, the wonderful culture and artistic expressions that abound here, and making use of the wind.
- The friendliness.
- Maui seems for some reason easier to live a “conscious” life.. fewer outer distractions. Ex. Less traffic, less noise, less violence, less poverty... or at least it seems that way.
- I think that the fact that we are surrounded by water infects us all. - i DO mean infect - it gets in under our skin. Even if you don't play in the water at all. It is the smell in the air, it is in the condensation of clouds, It is in the reflection of the sky,..the kind of plants that grow near the ocean.
- an edgy paradise with all kinds of cultures coming together to inform each other with their particular way of showing reverence to nature.
Hokulani Holt, Cultural Programs Director, Maui Arts & Cultural Center
Rae Takemoto, Vice Principal, Pomaikai Elementary School
Kahulu Maluo, Halau Kumu & Arts Administrator, Maui Arts & Cultural Center
Paul Wood, Writer-Teacher extraordinaire
Priscilla Mikell, Kamehameha Schools Maui
Nancy Aleck, Executive Director, Hawai‘i People's Fund
Jen Russo, Maui Time Weekly
Robin Curammeng, Art Teacher, Maui High School
Scott Fisher, Director of Conservation, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust
Michael Moore, Owner & Mastermind of Star Noodle, Old Lahaina Luau and Leoda's Kitchen
Other ways to get involved:
TEEN MURAL INTENSIVE with Artist-in-Residence Shira Walinsky – July 7 & 8 / 10 am – 4 pm
Students will explore a range of portrait possibilities using photography & collage, then enlarge images using traditional mural making techniques.
“TEACH THE TEACHERS” PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT with Artist-in-Residence Shira Walinsky – July 11 / 10 am – 4 pm
Teachers will discover the powerful educational components of mural making and come away with new tools for engagement and a mural arts curriculum by an experienced professional.
MURAL ARTS WORKSHOP with Artist-in-Residence Shira Walinsky – July 14 / 10 am – 4 pm
Participants will develop into mural artists for a day, putting their mark on this historic piece of public art and joining the team that helps transform a Maui space.
PANEL DISCUSSION with Artist-in-Residence Shira Walinsky & Friends – July 19 (6 – 7 pm)
Join us for an informative presentation by Shira and group panel discussion about the impact of community engagement through public works of art and mural making. Contribute your thoughts as we discuss the challenges and applications of art as a tool for social empowerment and change.
Check our website for regular updates
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
"Reflections: Contemporary Glass Art in Hawaii" Walk-Thru
On Saturday, May 12, Hui No‘eau celebrated the opening of Reflections: Contemporary Glass Art in Hawaii. This biennial survey presents the finest contemporary glass art in Hawai‘i, a challenge to the 30 exhibiting artists to explore the versatile medium in all its forms. Presented in the beautiful gallery space at Kaluanui, the exhibition also features educational displays and a diverse selection of work in a range of techniques. Juror’s Choice Barclay Hill received a $500 cash prize from the Maui Glass Artists Association for his piece “Daylight.”
This past Saturday, Hui friends gathered for a free walk-thru offered by Shiori Abe, Paul Chryst, Anita Laviola, Karuna Santoro & Kim Treloar.
Kim Treloar offered insight into her creative process, which involves asking the
question, "What would happen if...?" She talked about her love of
shadowplay, busy teaching schedule around the world, and the fun in a
try-anything attitude when it comes to glass. Shiori Abe, who flew over
from Oahu for the day, mentioned influential professors in her graduate
program who encouraged her to experiment with combining different
materials with her glass work, including copper and bronze. A funny
anecdote about a housewarming gift of a Costco-sized tub of pretzels
made explained the concept of her piece "Stomach Was Eaten by Pretzels." Karuna Santoro offered an iPad screening of a video demonstrating her
Murrini cane pulling technique. Used to create her impeccably crafted
kiln-formed plates, it is labor intensive but produces astounding
results (visit karunasantoro.com to watch the video)
Here Paul Chryst shares his story of an inspiring trip to Murano, in Venice,
Italy, that compelled him, post-retirement, to become "THE glass mosaic
guy on Maui." With two impressive pieces on view in the exhibition, he's
well on his way, and his passion for the work is evident!
At the end of the hour, Ditmar Hoerl, who had come to listen to his fellow artists, decided to chime in and answer an oft-asked question regarding the glass blocks chosen for the show: "How did you do that?" During the casting process, he plunges materials such as plywood and metal into the molten glass to create textures and bubbles once its cooled. To see these artists work and much more, visit this FREE exhibition through July 6, 2012: Monday-Saturday, 10am-4pm.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
An Exhibition Walk-Thru with Jennifer Owen
This past Saturday, a captivated crowd gathered at Hui No‘eau to hear ceramic artist Jennifer Owen speak about the impressive body of work included in her current retrospective exhibit, from her salt firing techniques to her unforgettable teachers to working with maquettes. As she guided the group in a walk through of the Hui galleries, Jennifer's enthusiasm for and dedication to her craft shone through her engaging stories as she divulged secrets about her process and the pieces representing a lifetime of experimentation in different series. (Did you know the hale highlighted on the title wall, "Mambo", is usually appropriated for outgoing mail?)
Visit this free exhibition through next Friday (May 4th) at Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center: 2841 Baldwin Avenue in Makawao. Questions? (808) 572-6560
Friday, April 20, 2012
Congrats, Art Maui!
Congratulations to these Hui teaching artists, staff & board, friends and more for being accepted into this year's ART MAUI exhibition, which closes this weekend:
Connie Adams (teaching artist, watercolor)
Kathleen Alexander (visiting artist, watercolor)
Judy Bisgard (former board member & Hui champ!)
Michael Clements (teaching artist, plein air pastel)
Bob Flint (teaching artist, ceramics)
Tim Garcia (board member)
Robert Glick (board member)
Caroline Killhour (executive director)
Terry Lopez (teaching artist, painting)
Keri Meyer (sales & event rental coordinator)
Jennifer Owen (teaching artist, ceramics & current Retrospective Exhibition artist)
JB Rea (teaching artist, jewelry)
Tony Walholm (teaching artist, oils)
Billy Welker (2012 featured Solo Artist)
Sidney Yee (2011 featured Solo Artist)
Enroll in a workshop or open studio session TODAY to meet & mingle with these shining Maui talents, and many others- summer classes online now at huinoeau.com
Connie Adams (teaching artist, watercolor)
Kathleen Alexander (visiting artist, watercolor)
Judy Bisgard (former board member & Hui champ!)
Michael Clements (teaching artist, plein air pastel)
Bob Flint (teaching artist, ceramics)
Tim Garcia (board member)
Robert Glick (board member)
Caroline Killhour (executive director)
Terry Lopez (teaching artist, painting)
Keri Meyer (sales & event rental coordinator)
Jennifer Owen (teaching artist, ceramics & current Retrospective Exhibition artist)
JB Rea (teaching artist, jewelry)
Tony Walholm (teaching artist, oils)
Billy Welker (2012 featured Solo Artist)
Sidney Yee (2011 featured Solo Artist)
Enroll in a workshop or open studio session TODAY to meet & mingle with these shining Maui talents, and many others- summer classes online now at huinoeau.com
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Hui Staff Team Up with the Empty Bowl Project
Hui staff members (L to R) Rachel Edelman, Anne-Marie Forsythe, Kelly McHugh, Birgitte Golden, Caroline Killhour, and Lana Coryell proudly pitched in to finance the ceramic bowl firing for this year's "Empty Bowl Project." Additional Hui supporters not pictured here include Carol Childerhose, Bob Flint, Jessica Hoecker, Keri Meyer, Mary Orwig, and Deb Zaleski. A benefit for the Maui Food Bank, the Empty Bowl Project was produced on April 14th by Star Noodle and the Maui Organization for the Ceramic Arts (MOCA) as part of an international grassroots effort to help fight hunger. Events have been held across the United States and in at least a dozen other countries, raising millions of dollars for hunger-fighting organizations. During last Saturday's event, 200+ Maui-based ceramic artists created handcrafted bowls that were sold for a donation to be kept as a keepsake reminding attendees of all the "empty bowls" in the world. Representing Maui's premiere community-based ceramic program, Hui staff were proud to act as ambassadors for the event and to help position the arts as a part of this important community improvement initiative.
Join us at the Hui this Saturday at 12 pm to learn about the history of the Hui's ceramic program by one of its founding members, 2012 Retrospective Artist Jennifer Owen, who will offer a (FREE) guided tour of her critically-acclaimed ceramic art exhibition. See you at 12 noon!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
A Chat with 2012 Retrospective Artist Jennifer Owen
Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center is proud to present its 2012 Retrospective Exhibition, featuring a broad scope of work by an icon of our Maui arts community. This year we warmly welcome Jennifer Owen, internationally exhibited ceramic artist, 20+ year Hui teaching artist veteran, and visual arts coordinator and assistant professor of art at UH Maui College.“This place is a little miracle,” says Owen of Hui No‘eau, “Having spent more than a third of my life at the Hui teaching, learning and creating, it’s such a delight to be invited for a retrospective exhibition. For so many years the Hui was my studio- this is my artistic home.”
The Hui’s retrospective series was designed to acknowledge the contributions of individuals who have made a profound influence on local art and to share their work & ideas with the general public. Formerly called the “Distinguished Artists of Hawai’i Series,” previous participants in this distinguished series have included Tadashi Sato (1992), Marian Freeman (1993), Toshiko Takaezu (1993), Masami Teraoka (1995), Shige Yamada (2000), Richard Nelson (2004) and, most recently, Darrell Orwig (2011).
“Toshiko [Takaezu] was my first ceramics teacher while I was earning my undergraduate degree at Princeton. During my senior year art exhibition she asked for one of my pieces, which was a great honor for me. About 10 years ago, she shipped that piece to me from NJ with a note saying “some day you will need this for a retrospective show.”
When we remarked about what a lovely coincidence it was Toshiko herself presented her own retrospective at the Hui, Jennifer responded, “she was there at my artistic beginning in New Jersey and she reentered my life when I relocated to Maui, this time as a visiting artist in the Hui’s ceramics studio. It really is amazing where life leads us.”
Jennifer’s “Hui History” began in 1982, immediately upon relocating from Kauai. She recalls coming in for an interview with Rob Spenser (“I got so dressed up, I had no idea what I was in for!”) to talk about a teaching gig and left with a position that would have her heading the ceramics department for the next 23 years. She hand drew a sign for a free pottery class and found it easy to sign people up for 5 – 8 week sessions. “It was a real ‘ohana, a home away from home for so many of us that were looking for studio space and new ideas” she recalls, “we slowly built structure into a formal ceramics program; we designed rules in cooperation with the Hui arts administrators, held monthly meetings and work days, built tables, paved the stable floors, and we taught everyone that wanted to learn.” Jennifer was an invited artist for the Hui’s 1987 “Handwoven Tapestries and Ceramics,” exhibition, its 1990 “Impressions, Expressions, and Collaborations” exhibition and selected for her own Solo Artist Exhibition in 1995, "Imprints in Clay."
When asked how she feels about sharing this body of work with the Hui community today, she responds, “I’m very excited about the people that are just becoming a part of this place. My style and work has varied tremendously, so I can’t wait to get feedback about the different series of works represented in this exhibit. The Hui is the best community of artists on Maui where all those exchanges can happen. I’m not that far from retirement, and when I do the Hui will be the perfect place to return to teach- my intent is to continue my life as a teacher and an artist until the day that I die; I want to continue my relationship with this community, it will be fun to keep this relationship alive. This is such an incredible environment. Coming here as an artist is also spending time in one of the most beautiful places on the island, and it's forever changing and evolving. For those that have not been here before: you’re in for a surprise!”
This free exhibition will be on view in the Hui’s main gallery 7 days a week, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm through May 4, 2012.
*Jennifer will return to the Hui this summer to teach a selection of ceramics classes. Visit our website at huinoeau.com/classes for details, coming soon.
The work of art "returned" by Owen's mentor, artist Toshiko Takaezu-Kelly McHugh
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
The Week in Kids
Yes, we’re ankle deep in Art Affair preparations (our biggest fundraiser of the year), the Hui No‘eau Annual Juried Exhibition (our most competitive show of the year), and the launch of 64 spring classes & visiting artist workshops- but we’re always hungry for more! This week we are pleased to host 2 Seabury Hall Winterim groups in hands-on, experiential learning opportunities designed to expand students’ understanding, appreciation, and support of each other and the local and global community. Mahalo to teaching artists Luana Coonen, Nathalie Nunez, Erica Franz and Barbara Liniger for your spirited and vigorous work during these 8 intensive workshops and to Seabury teachers Harriet Huff & Gayle Martelles for your prized support.
A big mahalo to Lissa Fox Strohecker, Education Specialist at Maui Invasive Species Committee, for dropping some knowledge at the Hui this week during a Stickwork-inspired field trip with Big Island’s Hawa’i Preparatory Academy! Also, to Hui teaching artist Erica Franz for her imaginative vision in leading the group through a 2-hour found object basket weaving workshop. We love the fact that teens are flying in from other islands to check out this amazing sculpture and learn more about what it means for our ‘aina!
And finally, mahalo to Katie Lutz and Sue Hudelson for your sequential-based classes with our Maui youth this session. Each of you are making a profound impact on the lives of these children, their families and the future of our community. Plus…it’s pretty awesome having all of these rad kids around all the time!
A big mahalo to Lissa Fox Strohecker, Education Specialist at Maui Invasive Species Committee, for dropping some knowledge at the Hui this week during a Stickwork-inspired field trip with Big Island’s Hawa’i Preparatory Academy! Also, to Hui teaching artist Erica Franz for her imaginative vision in leading the group through a 2-hour found object basket weaving workshop. We love the fact that teens are flying in from other islands to check out this amazing sculpture and learn more about what it means for our ‘aina!
And finally, mahalo to Katie Lutz and Sue Hudelson for your sequential-based classes with our Maui youth this session. Each of you are making a profound impact on the lives of these children, their families and the future of our community. Plus…it’s pretty awesome having all of these rad kids around all the time!
Hammer time in the Jewelry Studio
Nunez talks emulsion in the Litho Studio
T-Shirt Boot Camp, silkscreen style
One student's found-object basket...pretty snazzy!
Independent Potter ("IP") Barbara Liniger throws with Seabury in the Ceramics Studio
After only 2 hours of practice...not too shabby, ladies!Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Hui + MOS = Good Times!
We're thrilled to once again be partnering with Maui Open Studios, which will kick off its Upcountry weekend February 18th & 19th!“We are the perfect fit for one another and we are looking forward to growing together to make our annual event better and better each year," remarks organizer Carolyn Quan on partnering with the Hui, "Educating the art-buying public about how the artists create their work and how they get their inspiration is one of the goals of the event. By partnering with Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center we feel like we've created a good solid foundation for this from the beginning. We look forward to a long, supportive relationship with the Hui over the coming years.”
Now in its 2nd year, Maui Open Studios offers artists an organized opportunity to open their studio doors to the general public during three featured weekends. Artists pay a small fee to be included in a printed program complete with maps, bios and samples of their work, plus a large website to reinforce the printed piece.
"This event is a great way to engage visitors & community in the Hui's Open Studio program. Access to work space is such a big issue for artists, both on Maui and beyond. For many, the Hui studios provide the only access to tools, equipment, space and artistic exchange. The result is a tight-knit community of artists that are accustomed to sharing their processes and stories with the public and with one another. We look forward to the opportunity to offer Maui Open Studios visitors a very unique experience when they spend time with us this weekend!" (- Hui No‘eau)
Hui No‘eau is open Saturday & Sunday from 10 am - 6 pm and will feature nearly 20 of the Upcountry Maui Open Studio artists. Entry is free, as always, and also offers walking tours of the historic house & grounds, the 2012 Annual Juried Exhibition in the main gallery, Patrick Dougherty's larger-than-life "On the Wild Side" Stickwork sculpture, and more.
Maui Open Studios Weekend #2: North & Upcountry
Saturday-Sunday, February 18-19, 2012 / 11am – 6pm / FREE
Visit Hui artists and art demonstrations in our Jewelry, Ceramic and Printmaking Open Studios. MOS is a unique, vibrant event modeled after a very successful concept and tradition that has been enjoyed by the public for free throughout California and other art-appreciating states across the country for many decades. Experience the creativity that the art community on Maui has to offer at this very special event for both artists and art-collectors alike.
Participating in 2012—
Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center: Jewelry Open Studio
Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center: Ceramic Open Studio
Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center: Printmaking Open Studio
Carolyn Quan, Photo Collage and Mixed Media
Kathleen Alexander, Watercolors
Tania Arens, Printmaker / Tattoo Artist
Victoria Bakshi Yudis, Abstract Design in Ink & Acrylic
Eve Black Jewelry, Jewelry Artist
Cee, MFA / Painter
d’Avignon d’esigns, Woven Beadwork with Gemstones and Pearls
Christina DeHoff, Oil Painter
Stephen Hynson, Studio Furniture
Mike and Toby Neal, Woodwork, Lampwork Bead Jewelry, Photography
Lynette Pradiga, Expressionist, Impressionist, Abstract Painter
Jim Smith, Mixed Media Artist Wood and Glass
Janet Summers, Oil Painting
Kim Thomson-Kerr, Art Skirts Made from Recycled Fabrics
Jennifer Throne, Whimsical Gourd Creations Sculpture, Mixed Media
Lori L Wylie, Textured / Painted Aluminum and Stainless Steel
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Artist Announcement: 2012 Solo Artist Exhibition
Hui No‘eau is proud to announce its exhibition committee selections for the 2012 Solo Artist Exhibition: Big Island's Valerie Yong Ock Kim and Maui's own Billy Welker.
The open call-to-artists for this unique exhibition yielded numerous proposals from artists representing a wide range of ideas, methods and artistic media. One of the only of its kind in the state of Hawai‘i, this highly respected exhibition provides emerging as well as established artists the unique opportunity to be intricately involved in all facets of planning and installing a completely new body of work. It has been instrumental in furthering the careers and artistic growth of those selected, with a roster that most recently includes Tim Garcia, Margo Ray, Eli Baxter, Jaisy Hanlon, Sydney Yee, Kevin Omuro and Scott Groeniger— each an important part of our community arts conversation.
Valerie Yong Ock Kim, from Hawai‘i Island, will present "LIGHT SPEED MATTER, A STILL PLACE WAITING," featuring vivid, kinetic images in photographic archival pigment prints, video and cast glass that explore concepts of light and matter in the context of time and the human experience. Valerie has degrees in psychology and public health and when not pursuing personal work, is a Union Location Manager in Los Angeles for feature films.
With "Configuration," Maui artist Billy Welker presents a continuing exploration, in honest and sculptural oil paintings on wood, of the figure and the portrait as objects and vessels of humanness. Billy studied Fine Arts in Detroit and is a retired carpenter and general contractor by trade.
Upon completion of each new body of work, this public exhibition will be on view August 11 - September 21, 2012. Congratulations, Ms. Kim and Mr. Welker!
Read more:
About the 2011 artists
2011 Opening
2010 Announcement
2009 Announcement
About the 2009 Artists
Artist Billy Welker
Artist Valerie Yong Ock Kim
The open call-to-artists for this unique exhibition yielded numerous proposals from artists representing a wide range of ideas, methods and artistic media. One of the only of its kind in the state of Hawai‘i, this highly respected exhibition provides emerging as well as established artists the unique opportunity to be intricately involved in all facets of planning and installing a completely new body of work. It has been instrumental in furthering the careers and artistic growth of those selected, with a roster that most recently includes Tim Garcia, Margo Ray, Eli Baxter, Jaisy Hanlon, Sydney Yee, Kevin Omuro and Scott Groeniger— each an important part of our community arts conversation.
Valerie Yong Ock Kim, from Hawai‘i Island, will present "LIGHT SPEED MATTER, A STILL PLACE WAITING," featuring vivid, kinetic images in photographic archival pigment prints, video and cast glass that explore concepts of light and matter in the context of time and the human experience. Valerie has degrees in psychology and public health and when not pursuing personal work, is a Union Location Manager in Los Angeles for feature films.
With "Configuration," Maui artist Billy Welker presents a continuing exploration, in honest and sculptural oil paintings on wood, of the figure and the portrait as objects and vessels of humanness. Billy studied Fine Arts in Detroit and is a retired carpenter and general contractor by trade.
Upon completion of each new body of work, this public exhibition will be on view August 11 - September 21, 2012. Congratulations, Ms. Kim and Mr. Welker!
Read more:
About the 2011 artists
2011 Opening
2010 Announcement
2009 Announcement
About the 2009 Artists
Artist Billy Welker
Artist Valerie Yong Ock KimTuesday, January 17, 2012
Artist Feedback: 2012 Annual Juried Exhibition
It has quickly become apparent that this year's Hui No‘eau Annual Juried Exhibition is knocking the socks off of collectors, visitors and artists. With more than 10% of the show sold before opening day, we are so thankful to our juror, Allyn Bromley, and the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture & the Arts, who selected SIX pieces for their Art in Public Places Program, for sharing their talents with Hui No‘eau. We thought it would be nice to share some of our artist feedback here, which says so much about the value of this important program as well as that of fostering creativity in our Maui community. Enjoy!
"I am honored and humbled to be accepted into the recent 2012 Hui No`eau Annual Juried Exhibiton. This is a very strong, competitive showing, of which only 72 pieces were selected from 306 entered overall. In the 48 years I have been showing in the public I always appreciate the community support and realize how important it is to be picked by jurors and show the public my latest work. This is one way that I can give to the Hui, a facility that needs our continued support. Thank you." Rick Strini
"Being accepted into a juried show is an important validation of one’s creative growth. It also provides a venue for those who want to explore the limits of their artistic vision. It's so important to have such an opportunity in this small community & I am very grateful to the Hui for giving this gift to the artistic community." Aloha, Kathy Sakai
"I love the idea that my four Welcoming Figures are greeting visitors in the Hui while standing guard and enjoying the view up there. It was a special pleasure to attend the exhibition opening-- such a supportive, engaged, and friendly community." Best, Heidi Preuss Grew
"To have one’s work considered worthy of being a part of the 2012 Hui No'eau Annual Juried Exhibition is a true honor. I was so impressed with juror Allyn Bromley’s breadth and depth of artistic credentials. Allyn spoke about the difficulty she faced judging so many skillful and beautifully crafted works submitted by our artist community. Allyn’s delicate and thoughtful approach to assembling this year’s exhibition especially considering the large number of quality submissions makes the privilege of participating just that much more rewarding. Artists and art appreciators alike benefit greatly from the Hui. We are so fortunate to have an organization where art classes, exhibitions and studios are available year round to all who are interested. As one who is both artist and art appreciator I’m so thankful to those individuals who volunteer their time and energy to the Hui and to the many throughout our community who contribute financial support to such a wonderful organization. - Brad Forsythe
"I feel happy to be out there again sharing my work within the art community and the general public. Submitting for juried shows is always interesting, there are so many factors at work for the juror during the process of selection and it is certainly an honor to have some of my pieces included in this year’s exhibit. I find that working as an artist is not an easy task. One of the major challenges in art production is learning how to balance our thinking, about our role or responsibility as artists and balancing our thinking between true economic possibilities and the lack of economic possibilities. It is so important to find ways to strengthen our belief in ourselves and our art, and to keep building on that belief and have the confidence to know that our creative abilities will make a significant difference in a world of intense competition and rapid change. Our art community on Maui is fortunate to have the Hui No`eau as a major support system. It is this type of support that encourages and sustains artists and all those associated with the visual arts." Mahalo, Arlene Taus Salomon
"I am so pleased to be in this show with two pieces chosen and one getting a Recognition Award. The Hui is itself quite alluring because of its grounds and history but the quality of its offerings (classes, workshops, museum shop, exhibits) is what makes it so valuable to Maui and especially Upcountry Maui. I live two miles away and our milieu is what I paint and want to paint. So the opportunity to show my work right here where many of the viewers know the same landscape is gratifying and precious. If I ever cause anyone to see the land around us through my eyes because of what I paint, I am thrilled. There are few opportunities to show one's work in such company and in such a setting. To be able to see what other artists are creating is so valuable. I think there are lots of us who work hard, create special and skilled work who are not widely known- so the chance to "mingle" artistically is one I am more than grateful for. It is a curious thing to have one's work feel so validated by being chosen for a juried show. It might sit in one's studio looking one way, subject to hyper-criticism of its creator perhaps- or not yet dignified by mat, glass, and frame. What a difference context can make. It's a touchy subject perhaps but we do live on a resort island and there is a resort art market. The fact that there is the Hui, not catering to the almighty tourist dollar but showing sophisticated, edgy work which is still very much OF Maui is precious to all of us- but maybe most of all, to us, its grateful artists." -Elizabeth Keller
"I feel honored to have been chosen as a part of this exhibition, mainly because I felt it was a particularly good show. I love sharing my work at the Hui. I like that there are now a number of juried shows each year, not just the annual show - that there are shows with a particular subject, such as 'Visualizing Green.' Supporting the visual arts is of the utmost importance in these times when art funding and education is nationally drying up and being devalued. It is the opposite of what we need if we want our country to continue be a global leader. We need creativity to be fostered in our citizens." -Kristin Fein
"Being accepted into this exhibition is very rewarding, and validating. The juror chose work that had a sculptural element to it. I love that I have been included in this exciting and diverse show. It helps me keep going and believing in my work and my unique vision of what is wearable jewelry. Sharing my work with the Hui community is something that I enjoy. My hope is that the Hui community becomes a bigger community. More announcements to the Maui county about the exciting and vital work that is happening at this arts center. It is a key to the health of the community. We all do better when there is art in our lives. It creates a conversation that is beyond words and the gathering to see others visions opens the door for growth both personally and as a community. The Hui provides an accessible way for this to happen." Mahalo, Anita Laviola
"I feel very honored to have my work included in this exhibit. I entered because I was impressed with the juror's body of work and her long career within the fine art community. The fact that I produced something that spoke to her was quite wonderful. I was doubly fortunate to garner a State Foundation Recognition Award and it is the Hui that again afforded this link between artist and collector. I again thank the Hui for this opportunity." - Connie J. Adams
"Like most of the other artists, I felt very honored to have a piece selected for this exhibition. I have great respect for the juror and thought her lecture gave insight into her reasons for selection. Over the years, I have learned much from some of the classes and workshops given at the Hui. Most of them are at the college level. This juror has taught for many years at the Univ. of Hawaii and brings, I think, a bit of academic approach to the selection." -Judy Bisgard
"To be selected is always an honor! The creative depth of the Hui membership is amazing, so be a part of this show is humbling to say the least. I love having my work seen and appreciated by the community at large, it’s exciting to see the things that inspire me do the same for others. Maui has an amazing community of artists and the Hui has an important part in it. Art is the soul of a community, there are not enough places supporting it’s growth and development. Keep up the great work and mahalo for including me in the show." - Mike Neal
"I am honored and humbled to be accepted into the recent 2012 Hui No`eau Annual Juried Exhibiton. This is a very strong, competitive showing, of which only 72 pieces were selected from 306 entered overall. In the 48 years I have been showing in the public I always appreciate the community support and realize how important it is to be picked by jurors and show the public my latest work. This is one way that I can give to the Hui, a facility that needs our continued support. Thank you." Rick Strini
"Being accepted into a juried show is an important validation of one’s creative growth. It also provides a venue for those who want to explore the limits of their artistic vision. It's so important to have such an opportunity in this small community & I am very grateful to the Hui for giving this gift to the artistic community." Aloha, Kathy Sakai
"I love the idea that my four Welcoming Figures are greeting visitors in the Hui while standing guard and enjoying the view up there. It was a special pleasure to attend the exhibition opening-- such a supportive, engaged, and friendly community." Best, Heidi Preuss Grew
"To have one’s work considered worthy of being a part of the 2012 Hui No'eau Annual Juried Exhibition is a true honor. I was so impressed with juror Allyn Bromley’s breadth and depth of artistic credentials. Allyn spoke about the difficulty she faced judging so many skillful and beautifully crafted works submitted by our artist community. Allyn’s delicate and thoughtful approach to assembling this year’s exhibition especially considering the large number of quality submissions makes the privilege of participating just that much more rewarding. Artists and art appreciators alike benefit greatly from the Hui. We are so fortunate to have an organization where art classes, exhibitions and studios are available year round to all who are interested. As one who is both artist and art appreciator I’m so thankful to those individuals who volunteer their time and energy to the Hui and to the many throughout our community who contribute financial support to such a wonderful organization. - Brad Forsythe
"I feel happy to be out there again sharing my work within the art community and the general public. Submitting for juried shows is always interesting, there are so many factors at work for the juror during the process of selection and it is certainly an honor to have some of my pieces included in this year’s exhibit. I find that working as an artist is not an easy task. One of the major challenges in art production is learning how to balance our thinking, about our role or responsibility as artists and balancing our thinking between true economic possibilities and the lack of economic possibilities. It is so important to find ways to strengthen our belief in ourselves and our art, and to keep building on that belief and have the confidence to know that our creative abilities will make a significant difference in a world of intense competition and rapid change. Our art community on Maui is fortunate to have the Hui No`eau as a major support system. It is this type of support that encourages and sustains artists and all those associated with the visual arts." Mahalo, Arlene Taus Salomon
"I am so pleased to be in this show with two pieces chosen and one getting a Recognition Award. The Hui is itself quite alluring because of its grounds and history but the quality of its offerings (classes, workshops, museum shop, exhibits) is what makes it so valuable to Maui and especially Upcountry Maui. I live two miles away and our milieu is what I paint and want to paint. So the opportunity to show my work right here where many of the viewers know the same landscape is gratifying and precious. If I ever cause anyone to see the land around us through my eyes because of what I paint, I am thrilled. There are few opportunities to show one's work in such company and in such a setting. To be able to see what other artists are creating is so valuable. I think there are lots of us who work hard, create special and skilled work who are not widely known- so the chance to "mingle" artistically is one I am more than grateful for. It is a curious thing to have one's work feel so validated by being chosen for a juried show. It might sit in one's studio looking one way, subject to hyper-criticism of its creator perhaps- or not yet dignified by mat, glass, and frame. What a difference context can make. It's a touchy subject perhaps but we do live on a resort island and there is a resort art market. The fact that there is the Hui, not catering to the almighty tourist dollar but showing sophisticated, edgy work which is still very much OF Maui is precious to all of us- but maybe most of all, to us, its grateful artists." -Elizabeth Keller
"I feel honored to have been chosen as a part of this exhibition, mainly because I felt it was a particularly good show. I love sharing my work at the Hui. I like that there are now a number of juried shows each year, not just the annual show - that there are shows with a particular subject, such as 'Visualizing Green.' Supporting the visual arts is of the utmost importance in these times when art funding and education is nationally drying up and being devalued. It is the opposite of what we need if we want our country to continue be a global leader. We need creativity to be fostered in our citizens." -Kristin Fein
"Being accepted into this exhibition is very rewarding, and validating. The juror chose work that had a sculptural element to it. I love that I have been included in this exciting and diverse show. It helps me keep going and believing in my work and my unique vision of what is wearable jewelry. Sharing my work with the Hui community is something that I enjoy. My hope is that the Hui community becomes a bigger community. More announcements to the Maui county about the exciting and vital work that is happening at this arts center. It is a key to the health of the community. We all do better when there is art in our lives. It creates a conversation that is beyond words and the gathering to see others visions opens the door for growth both personally and as a community. The Hui provides an accessible way for this to happen." Mahalo, Anita Laviola
"I feel very honored to have my work included in this exhibit. I entered because I was impressed with the juror's body of work and her long career within the fine art community. The fact that I produced something that spoke to her was quite wonderful. I was doubly fortunate to garner a State Foundation Recognition Award and it is the Hui that again afforded this link between artist and collector. I again thank the Hui for this opportunity." - Connie J. Adams
"Like most of the other artists, I felt very honored to have a piece selected for this exhibition. I have great respect for the juror and thought her lecture gave insight into her reasons for selection. Over the years, I have learned much from some of the classes and workshops given at the Hui. Most of them are at the college level. This juror has taught for many years at the Univ. of Hawaii and brings, I think, a bit of academic approach to the selection." -Judy Bisgard
"To be selected is always an honor! The creative depth of the Hui membership is amazing, so be a part of this show is humbling to say the least. I love having my work seen and appreciated by the community at large, it’s exciting to see the things that inspire me do the same for others. Maui has an amazing community of artists and the Hui has an important part in it. Art is the soul of a community, there are not enough places supporting it’s growth and development. Keep up the great work and mahalo for including me in the show." - Mike Neal
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Meet the Juror: A Conversation with Allyn Bromley
Yesterday’s receiving day for the 2012 Hui No’eau Annual Juried Exhibition yielded 306 original works of art from artists living on Maui, throughout Hawaii, and beyond. The Kaluanui living & dining areas, now public exhibition spaces, were bursting at the seams with art of all media. Our hard-working exhibitions & events coordinator, Rachel Edelman, could not keep the staff away from the space- our reactions to the work bouncing off the walls barely faster than the some 30 Camp Kaluanui keiki bustling through the grounds at recess. Simply put: receiving day is awesome. The energy of the artists and volunteers, the suspense of not knowing who will submit, the excitement of meeting new faces, and the exceptionally broad range of artwork making its way into the house all combine to make these days stand out as some of the most fun we see.
Today I was introduced to the woman facing the greatest challenge of all the artists combined, Honolulu-based Allyn Bromley who has been working all day to jury this most competitive exhibition. Rachel and I were invited into the Hui’s artist cottage, where she is staying while on Maui, to share some lunch together during a much-needed break and to chat about the selection process.
A bit about Allyn, who has lived and worked in Honolulu since the early 1950s before earning a BFA from the University of Hawai‘I and MFA from the University of Colorado. She has done post-graduate work at Pratt Graphic Center in Manhattan, and at Rochester Institute of Technology and the Univer
sity of Washington. Allyn retired from teaching printmaking at the University of Hawai‘i in 2000 to pursue further explorations in the art of the print. Her current interests are in deconstructing the screen printed format to recombine and reconstruct images in the third dimension.
Allyn is an elegant, thoughtful, fascinating woman. When asked “so, how’s it going?” her response was this: “it’s a tough challenge being a solo juror, because the exhibition is based completely on my opinion. And my opinions are rooted in my belief that art is an important part of a social context. I see this Hui exhibition as a symposium for ideas, for taking art forward and for reflecting what we are today.” It was clear that Allyn was facing a thrilling challenge brought on by our artist community.
I proceeded to explain to Allyn that one of the greatest challenges we face is responding to the artists whose work was not selected by a given juror. In other words, “why are you making the selections you’re making?”
“So much of what I’m seeing is skillful, beautifully crafted, or dazzling- but lacking the relevance needed to actively engage in a communal discussion," she responded, "This is a forum beyond the decorative. In some cases I was drawn to pieces that I would hang in my own home, but this was not their place. Many other pieces simply needed their own, separate space, and by including them here the whole room would have been thrown off. Then there were pieces selected for the exhibition that don’t speak to me, but I found it important that they be SEEN. They have formal values, things about them that are interesting, they’re provocative, they represent new ideas.”
Ultimately, Allyn is creating a cohesive, visual conversation with the space offered to her. In her artist’s statement, she uses key words like structure and technical skill as well as sincerity and passion.
When asked what it was like to observe Allyn’s process, Rachel responds, “She has been incredibly thoughtful. Every piece has had an equal opportunity to be included. Lots of time went into the selection process. The “logic vs. instinct” dichotomy she explained in her lecture last night was clearly visible- and her instinct does not trump the logic here.”
“I’m a mother and a teacher,” continued Allyn, “I want to encourage people and I want everybody to be realized in their artistic endeavors, which makes the jurying process even more difficult for me. I almost feel like a midwife whose responsibility is to assist in putting something out into the world that will take the whole dialogue of art further. Art must be intellectually challenging. We’re not here to passively look at what has been said over the years, no matter how beautiful it is, it has to be reflective of who we are as a people.”
Please join us next Friday, January 6th at 5 pm to view the final selections, meet many of the artists, and have a first chance to make a purchase. All sales support the educational programs of Hui No’eau, one of Maui’s only remaining nonprofit visual arts education center.
Mahalo nui loa to Jack & Carolyn Schaefer Gray, Robert & Frances Davidson, and Louis & Jolene Cole for sponsoring this important exhibition.
-Kelly McHugh, Youth Programs & Marketing Manager
Today I was introduced to the woman facing the greatest challenge of all the artists combined, Honolulu-based Allyn Bromley who has been working all day to jury this most competitive exhibition. Rachel and I were invited into the Hui’s artist cottage, where she is staying while on Maui, to share some lunch together during a much-needed break and to chat about the selection process.
A bit about Allyn, who has lived and worked in Honolulu since the early 1950s before earning a BFA from the University of Hawai‘I and MFA from the University of Colorado. She has done post-graduate work at Pratt Graphic Center in Manhattan, and at Rochester Institute of Technology and the Univer
sity of Washington. Allyn retired from teaching printmaking at the University of Hawai‘i in 2000 to pursue further explorations in the art of the print. Her current interests are in deconstructing the screen printed format to recombine and reconstruct images in the third dimension.Allyn is an elegant, thoughtful, fascinating woman. When asked “so, how’s it going?” her response was this: “it’s a tough challenge being a solo juror, because the exhibition is based completely on my opinion. And my opinions are rooted in my belief that art is an important part of a social context. I see this Hui exhibition as a symposium for ideas, for taking art forward and for reflecting what we are today.” It was clear that Allyn was facing a thrilling challenge brought on by our artist community.
I proceeded to explain to Allyn that one of the greatest challenges we face is responding to the artists whose work was not selected by a given juror. In other words, “why are you making the selections you’re making?”
“So much of what I’m seeing is skillful, beautifully crafted, or dazzling- but lacking the relevance needed to actively engage in a communal discussion," she responded, "This is a forum beyond the decorative. In some cases I was drawn to pieces that I would hang in my own home, but this was not their place. Many other pieces simply needed their own, separate space, and by including them here the whole room would have been thrown off. Then there were pieces selected for the exhibition that don’t speak to me, but I found it important that they be SEEN. They have formal values, things about them that are interesting, they’re provocative, they represent new ideas.”
Ultimately, Allyn is creating a cohesive, visual conversation with the space offered to her. In her artist’s statement, she uses key words like structure and technical skill as well as sincerity and passion.
When asked what it was like to observe Allyn’s process, Rachel responds, “She has been incredibly thoughtful. Every piece has had an equal opportunity to be included. Lots of time went into the selection process. The “logic vs. instinct” dichotomy she explained in her lecture last night was clearly visible- and her instinct does not trump the logic here.”
“I’m a mother and a teacher,” continued Allyn, “I want to encourage people and I want everybody to be realized in their artistic endeavors, which makes the jurying process even more difficult for me. I almost feel like a midwife whose responsibility is to assist in putting something out into the world that will take the whole dialogue of art further. Art must be intellectually challenging. We’re not here to passively look at what has been said over the years, no matter how beautiful it is, it has to be reflective of who we are as a people.”
Please join us next Friday, January 6th at 5 pm to view the final selections, meet many of the artists, and have a first chance to make a purchase. All sales support the educational programs of Hui No’eau, one of Maui’s only remaining nonprofit visual arts education center.
Mahalo nui loa to Jack & Carolyn Schaefer Gray, Robert & Frances Davidson, and Louis & Jolene Cole for sponsoring this important exhibition.
-Kelly McHugh, Youth Programs & Marketing Manager
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