Art with heart

Artists contribute to the world by talking about different issues through their artwork, says John Koga.

'One Nighter at Nuuanu Gallery' » On view: 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday; preview 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. » Place: Nuuanu Gallery at Marks Garage, 1161 Nuuanu Ave. » Call: 536-9828 » Also: Downtown galleries and shops stay open until 8 p.m. on "Holoholo Thursdays," weekly through the end of the year. 'John Koga: First Hand' Sculpture and works on paper » Place: Nuuanu Gallery » On view: Through tomorrow, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"We like to try to help the world and change the way people see things," the local artist says. "But rarely can we help financially."

For one evening, however, some 50 artists will show their work together to do just that. "One Nighter at Nuuanu Gallery" is an art sale to benefit the Boys and Girls Club and will feature such names as Koga, Kandi Everett, Dorothy Faison, Lynda Hess, Mat Kubo, Alan Leitner, Koi Ozu, Katherine Love, Lori Uyehara, Jason Teraoka, Cora Yee, Roy Venters and many others.

The benefit coincides with the district's weekly "Holoholo Thursdays," when area galleries and shops stay open late for evening visitors.

Koga, who helped recruit artists and is installing the show, says the event is supportive on many levels.

"It's a way of giving back by the artists. I believe that even the act of making art is a luxury, so it's nice to give back to folks less fortunate," he says. "But it's also a way to share with the public what people are making, what their next series of work will look like. So we're educating people in the process of selling the artwork."

Koga is at the tail end of a one-week show at Nuuanu Gallery, which turns a year old in December, so he's familiar with the space. "One Nighter" will afford many other artists that opportunity -- a big plus for the gallery.

"Nuuanu Gallery is young, so this allows the artists to check out the space. (An event like) 'One Nighter' promotes the gallery, too," he says.