COURTESY OF NA MEA HAWAII
A concertina book, above, is a hexagonal shaped book. To learn more about book art, Na Mea Hawaii is featuring a "book as art" talk by internation-ally-known artist Peter Thomas, 5 to 9 p.m. today at Na Mea Hawaii.
‘First Friday’
showcases art
When the weekend comes, folks turn out in droves at beaches and parks, bars and movie theaters, malls and arcades. But there is another venue that educates and delights, yet few patronize: the art galleries. Honolulu is home to numerous galleries, and a profusion of them are within walking distance of each other in the Downtown area.
To promote the arts in the city, those Downtown establishments have organized themselves and created First Fridays, an evening event held on the first Friday monthly. The event includes 16 galleries and businesses, which stay open late, and often offer special arts and entertainment events.
"This is a strategy that's worked very well across the country in getting people to come to where the galleries are, or to stay after work, and experience the art and spend money here in this community," says Kim Coffee-Isaak, one of the organizers of First Fridays.
Coffee-Isaak says the organizers are looking into tapping cruise ship and hotel concierges, and trying to get trolley services up and running, to help First Fridays grow. The Downtown area has already had a taste of what such an event can be like.
"A few months ago, when the ARTS at Marks Garage was having an opening, an artist at Studio1 Art Gallery scheduled her opening to coincide," she said. "There were lots of people walking up and down and back and forth on the streets. They created an atmosphere we want over here."
Tonight marks the first First Friday event. Highlights of the evening, which runs from 5 to 9 p.m., include:
COURTESY OF THE PEGGE HOPPER GALLERY
Also pictured is Roy Venters' minty heart, part of the "Cold, Cold Heart" show at the Pegge Hopper Gallery.
>> "The Bat Show": Opening reception of the exhibit exploring bat mythology from China, Japan, Hawaii and the Midwest. Also, there will be ukulele, steel guitar and falsetto Hawaiian music from 6 to 9 p.m.>> Café Che Pasta: Jade Lee "Yu Wen" and Mei-Lin Yeh will demonstrate Chinese brush painting. Ian O'Sullivan and Gabriel Casas will play music from 5 to 8 p.m.
>> "Diversity": Anne Irons's exhibition opens at Atelier 4 Fine Art Gallery. Join the artist for the opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m.
>> "Book as art mini-workshop": Join Peter Thomas, a paper and book artist, for a lesson in making artistic books at Na Mea Hawaii from 5 to 9 p.m.
>> "Digitally Charged Entities": A juried exhibition of digital art at Studio1 Art Gallery is on display. Also, Radha Bliss will perform.
>> Hanks Café Honolulu: Art on the walls is by Hank himself. Happy hour music features Bobby G on the piano.
>> "Pohl Plus 8": Opening reception for group exhibit at Smith Street Galleries.
>> "PEACE with ALOHA": Inaugural exhibition of nine years worth of artwork by children from local elementary schools displayed at Pacific Traditions Gallery in the Pacific Justice & Reconciliation Center.
>> "Liquid Nation": A new installation in water premiering at Studio of Roy Venters.
>> "Cold, Cold Heart": Installation of broken glass on ice by Roy Venters at the Pegge Hopper Gallery.
The following 16 galleries and establishments comprise the First Fridays venues. Maps are available at all venues:
1. The ARTS at Marks Garage: 1159 Nuuanu Ave., open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays, 521-2903. The arts center is a collaborative project providing exhibit and performing space. Changing schedule of visual art exhibits and performances featuring artists working in theater, dance, music and literary arts.2. Ming's Antiques: 1144 Bethel St., open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays, 585-8877. Chinese antique furniture, accent pieces and gift items imported from Beijing.
3. Eleven Thirty Two Bishop Street: 1132 Bishop St., open 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, 599-5009. Distinctive and original art and artifacts reflect Hawaii and Pacific culture, with works by local artists, often from seldom-seen private collections.
4. The Hawai'i State Art Museum (HiSAM): 1 Capitol Building, 250 S. Hotel St., 2nd floor, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays, 586-0900. Three main galleries house art from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Art in Public Places Program.
5. Café Che Pasta: 1001 Bishop St., open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 524-0004. Changing exhibitions of multi-media art from around the world.
6. The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center: 999 Bishop St., open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 526-1322. Rotating exhibitions by resident artists, former residents of Hawai'i or artists who have created a body of work in the Islands. Validated parking for TCM members.
7. Atelier 4 Fine Art Gallery: 841 Bishop St. Suite 155 (on Queen St.), open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 524-3552. Contemporary fine art gallery owned and operated by artists Mark N. Brown, Scottie Flamm, Pat Smith and Gina O'Neil.
8. Na Mea Hawaii: 851 Fort St., open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, 548-2665. Specializing in locally made gifts, books, art and clothing from an array of the island's finest artists and craftsmen.
9. Studio 1: 1 North King St., open noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays, 550-8701. Cutting edge visual art and performance art.
10. Hanks Cafe Honolulu: 1038 Nuuanu St., open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, 526-1410. Original paintings and prints by owner Hank M. Taufaasau.
11. Sharky's Tattoo: 1038 Nuuanu Ave., open noon to 10 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays, 585-0076. Tattoo related art by tattoo artists in watercolor, pencil, acrylic, and homemade pigments.
12. Ramsay Gallery: 1128 Smith St., open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, 537-2787. The collection features Ramsay's original quill & ink drawings and signed editions.
13. Smith Street Galleries: 1117 Smith St., open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays, 521-1812. Original fine art and custom framing, featuring the art of Louis Pohl.
14. Pacific Traditions Gallery: 19 North Pauahi St., 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays and by appointment, 531-5122. Pacific Asian Arts: creating a culture of peace and nonviolence.
15. Studio of Roy Venters: 1160 Nuuanu Ave., open by appointment and during First Fridays, 381-3445. Selection of mixed media works by Roy Venters and selected artists.
16. The Pegge Hopper Gallery: 1164 Nuuanu Ave., open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, 524-1160. Paintings and drawings by Pegge Hopper and local artists.
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calendars and events.
