GALLERY
COURTESY HAWAII CRAFTSMEN
Hawaii Craftsmen's "40th Annual Statewide Juried Exhibition" at the Academy Art Center was installed by Tom Klobe, well known in the art community for his expertise in designing gallery exhibits. In the foreground is a piece by invited artist Steve Martin, in which a pot was broken and then pieced together again.
|
|
Elevating crafts to fine art
Hawaii Craftsmen landed a big fish in the art world when John Natsoulas agreed to jury its annual statewide exhibit this year. The owner of the John Natsoulas Center for the Arts in Davis, Calif., is known for his global reach, and artists who have caught his eye, including local art veteran Esther Shimazu, have garnered widespread attention for their work.
In his juror's statement for the "40th Statewide Juried Annual Exhibition," on display through Oct. 28 at the Academy Art Center, Natsoulas says he was "deeply impressed with the resources the artists used in their work."
Natsoulas was apparently so impressed that he plans to establish a John Natsoulas Purchase Award for the show. The inaugural award was given to May Izumi for her mixed-media piece "Picking the Apple of the Sun."
Izumi's work was among the 125 pieces in the show; 97 artists contributed. Invited artists this year include ceramist Steve Martin, metal and jewelry artist Brenda Ching and wood artist Pat Kramer.
In commemoration of Hawaii Craftsmen's 40th birthday, this year's installation was also paid special attention, thanks to the involvement of Tom Klobe, legendary for his skill in designing exhibit spaces.
But no matter what the year, "people working in crafts know that this is the show to enter each year," says Rose Anne Jones, executive director of Hawaii Craftsmen. "This is the premier exhibition."
Jones is especially proud of the fact that the Craftsmen show is the only one in the state that takes jurors to other islands to jury submissions. While there, jurors give free lectures, offering neighbor island artists the opportunity to dialogue with movers and shakers of the art world.
Hawaii Craftsmen also organizes the Raku Hoolaulea, Fiber Hawaii exhibit and the Aha Hana Lima workshops each year. Call 521-3282 or visit hawaiicraftsmen.org.
The Academy Art Center, 1111 Victoria St., is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Call 532-8741.
COURTESY HAWAII CRAFTSMEN
May Izumi's "Picking the Apple of the Sun" won an Award of Excellence and a John Natsoulas Purchase Award. Natsoulas served as this year's juror.
|
|
COURTESY HAWAII CRAFTSMEN
R.W. Butts created an intricate wood piece of bamboo, koa and epoxy titled "Kolohe'ohe." The work earned Butts an Award of Excellence and a Purchase Award from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
|
|
COURTESY HAWAII CRAFTSMEN
Francisco Clemente's "Caprichio," a wooden bowl, won an Award of Excellence.
|
|