Art for the ages

The newly opened rRed Elephant Café is mixing the relaxed ambience of the coffee shop with the aestheticism of the art gallery. The mix works well for customers.

On Exhibit "Honolulu Waldorf Student Exhibition" Place: Red Elephant Café, 1144 Bethel St. Time: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, through Feb. 28 Call: 545-2468

When eyes and shoulders get achy from reading the small print of a novel or magazine, a look up at the red and peach walls of the café -- its designated gallery spaces -- stretches the neck and gives tired eyes something beautiful to rest upon for a while.

Through the end of the month, the red wall is displaying the works of students from Honolulu Waldorf High School.

Waldorf schools incorporate art into their curriculum from preschool through grade 12, and the exhibit reflects the students' familiarity with fine art. The pieces, done in oil, acrylics, charcoal, watercolor and sculpture, reveal an adeptness that belie the tender ages of the artists.

Also this month, rRed Elephant's peach wall is featuring the works of Alexia Chuck, Taylor Nolie and Christina Zipperlen.

rRed Elephant has also opened a 2600-square-foot venue next door to the café, designated for performances. Go see the "Big Bang Theory" show on Saturday featuring bands, poets and other underground artists.