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"Barbie Tinkered" by Ann Oshita. The artwork, including those below, is on display in "Tinkered and Toyed" at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii through Dec. 29.

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Tinkered and toyed

The Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai'i will celebrate the holidays with a new art exhibition, "Tinkered and Toyed," opening with a reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in its Community Gallery.

The exhibit features works by 42 local artists who designed pieces inspired by the various winter holidays, such as Hanukkah, Christmas, Buddha Day and Kwanzaa. The show will continue through Dec. 29.

Many of the pieces reflect innocence and childhood memories of gift toys and celebrations -- not only of extravagance and spectacle, but of little moments that matter.

"My art piece is a combination of a memory when I was 6 or 7 years old, and we would go to the mom and pop's store, wet our finger and poke it through a thin paper covered box to retrieve a secret reward -- a toy or candy," said artist Keiko Hatano. "But I can't remember the toys! It's the experience that I remember."

Admission to the exhibit and opening reception is free. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more information, call 945-7633.

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"Boyz Toyz" by Paul Hosch.

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"Happy Fish" by Bernard Moriaz.