DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM This jewelry piece by Susan McKenna is titled, "Abu Sayaff: Neck to Neck with the Terrorists."

9-11

A new KCC exhibit gives
110 artists a creative outlet
for September's terror

---

Tell gallery director David Behlke his latest art exhibition is sad, depressing or unpleasant, and you'll get a big, hearty "thank you." "It tells me we are successful," said Behlke, on behalf of 110 island artists who translated their thoughts and emotions on the Sept. 11 terrorist attack into works of art on display at Kapiolani Community College.

Behlke, director of Koa Gallery at the college, put out a call in November for artworks and was overwhelmed by the response. With more than 140 pieces of art arriving at his doorstep, Behlke expanded the juried exhibit from the gallery into the nearby library.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Charlene Hughs created a quilt presentation titled "At That Time." Viewers are asked to write what they were doing when terrorists struck the World Trade Center.

"We got so much and such strong work (that) we had to figure out how to include everybody. It's amazing how creative artists can be in dealing with this very emotional subject," Behlke said.

The types of artwork and the artists are diverse. In addition to paintings, prints and sculptures, there are quilts, jewelry and even a planter filled with grass and a flowering plant (which has since died). The artists include novices and long-established professional artists, such as Masami Teraoka.

There is also interactive art offering visitors a chance to be part of the exhibit. A wall piece asks where the visitors were when they heard the news and allows them to write their stories as part of the art. A pair of quiltlike hangings, symbolizing the twin towers of the World Trade Center, offers 4,000 small pockets for coins to help victims of the attack.

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Paul Hosch's acrylic piece, above, is titled "Dancer of Shiva."

Since the exhibit opened two weeks ago, the pockets -- inscribed with Chinese characters that compose a Buddhist funeral chant -- have been filling up. No official coin count is yet available, but Behlke looks upon the donations as positive feedback for the exhibition.

"So, you see, even when you are dealing with a tragic event of unbelievably enormous proportions, not everything is sad."

---

Suzanne Tswei, Star-Bulletin

"Response and Remembrance" Place: The Koa Gallery and Lama Library at Kapiolani Community College, 4303 Diamond Head Road Time: For the gallery, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays; for the library, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to noon Saturday; through Feb. 9 Admission: Free Call: 734-9375

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM Neida Bangerter's acrylic work, "Veils."

Click for online
calendars and events.