Thirty-three years after founding Hawaii Craftsmen's annual Raku Ho'olaule'a beach event, ceramist David Kuraoka is the guest artist and juror of the 2009 Raku Ho'olaule'a Juried Exhibition.

The Kauai-born artist selected 70 pieces by 47 artists for this year's show at The ARTS at Marks Garage. The exhibition of pit-fired ceramic art - with a spotlight on Kuraoka's work - will be on display during July's First Friday gallery walk.

Verena Snively, program director for Hawaii Craftsmen, said this year's selection is smaller than most, but because of Kuraoka's selectiveness, the show is “;amazing.”;

“;It gets better every year,”; she said.

Her assessment concurs with that of Kuraoka, who said in his juror's statement: “;It is my belief that people who work together stick together and grow together. The challenges provided by the Raku Ho'olaule'a event encourage experimentation, sharing, focusing ... and the results are better and better work.

“;The pieces of this year's group are the best I have seen.”;

Hawaii Craftsmen, dedicated to promoting fine crafts, present several shows and workshops each year, including the raku events and juried show, 'Aha Hana Lima workshops, the Hawaii Craftsmen Annual Statewide Juried Exhibition and the biennial Fiber Hawaii exhibition, which also features lectures and demonstrations.

Kuraoka is a well-established local artist who divides his time between teaching ceramics at San Francisco State University and living on Kauai. His work has been included in collections at the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, The Contemporary Museum in Honolulu, the Honolulu Academy of Arts and the White House (his work was selected by Hillary Clinton).

The Raku Ho'olaule'a Juried Exhibition continues through July 25 at Marks Garage. Call 521-2903.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS of this month's gallery walk include:

» 1132 Bishop St.: “;Da Kine: Local Perspectives”; is a juried exhibition curated by longtime artist and Kapiolani Community College instructor Kauka da Silva. She selected works in a wide range of media that explore “;everything local”; for display inside the building's second floor lobby area.

» Chinatown Boardroom, 1160 Nuuanu Ave: “;STIX FLIX”; is a surf movie-poster art show that features works from local and international artists of fictional surf movies. Call 585-7200.

» Bethel Street Gallery, 1140 Bethel St.: New work from Scottie Flamm includes small paintings and mixed-media pieces. Call 524-3552.

» Ong King Arts Center, 184 N. King St.: Festivities run through 2 a.m., including the work of artist Fifty-Fifty, musician Bret Shimabuku, singer Christina Nelson, juggler Loco Moco, uke master Taimane Gardner, poets from Hawaii Slam and theater from The Fool Truth. Call 306-7823 or 428-3233.

» Pegge Hopper Gallery, 1164 Nuuanu Ave.: “;Peace-to-Go”; by Roy Venters and paintings by Hopper. Call 524-1160.

» Pacific Traditions Gallery, 19 Pauahi St.: “;Women of Color Art Exhibit”; plus poetry by Sky White. Call 741-4612.

» Peggy Chun Gallery, 1161 Nuuanu Ave.: “;Land & Sea,”; jewelry and sculpture by Sean Gallagher and Amber Chesebro. Call 545-4810.

» The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center, 999 Bishop St.: Schaefer Portrait Challenge, a triennial exhibit presented by the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, showcases work of Hawaii artists who chronicle the faces of Hawaii. Call 526-1322.