Arts Briefs 2-17

N. Hawaii students invited to enter show

This March marks the 51st anniversary of Youth Art Month, a national recognition of youth art programs across the United States.

To encourage and recognize local students in North Hawaii schools the Waimea Arts Council is sponsoring the 28th annual Na Opio Junior Juried Art Show to be held from March 1 to 31.

The organization has issued a call for entries for thes how. Youngsters, grades six through 12, from North Kohala, South Kohala and Hamakua are encouraged to submit entries.

The purpose of this annual show is to promote and encourage talent among the students of these North Hawaii districts. Competition is based on grade level rather than between schools. Paintings, drawings, sculptures and ceramics are welcome. Entries will be judged using five criteria: originality, visual balance, visual clarity, personal expression and execution of the medium.

Each student may enter one piece. Art must be original, completed during this school year, and it must not have won any previous prize or award in any other competition. Art submitted must be ready to hang; framed, matted or mounted to cardboard; size may not exceed 28-by-28 inches for 2-dart, 18-by-18-by-18 inches for 3-D art.

Art should be delivered to the Firehouse Gallery from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 25. Entry forms will be available at the Firehouse Gallery. Teachers, parents or guardians must sign forms.

Awards will be presented at a reception for artists, judge, family members and art teachers from 3 to 5 p.m. March 10 at the Firehouse Gallery. The public is invited to attend and support these young artists. The show will be on display from March 1 to 31 in the Firehouse Gallery.

Free art lessons are offered for all participants. Young artists can sign up for a class at time of entry or through the show. An April class will be announced mid-March.

The Waimea Arts Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the arts and is supported primarily by donations.

Contact Janice Gail, exhibition chairwoman, at 936-1449 for entry forms and rules for the show.

Carousel carving program planned

Paradise Ponies Inc., a nonprofit corporation, intends to construct and operate a Hawaii-themed carousel, called the Carousel of Aloha, along the Volcano Heritage Corridor on the Big Island.

Paradise Ponies will offer a series of carousel-figure carving classes for artists who want to be part of the community project. The first class will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 24 to 26 at Shipman Business Park in Keaau. Master carousel carver Ken Means of Oregon, will teach the foundation of creating a carousel figure: starting from a drawing, to a pattern and then creating the blank. A carousel blank is the block of wood made from laminated boards that become the palette for the carver. The class cost is $300 with possible discounts.

“This class is the first in a series we will hold to get people excited and involved,” said project coordinator Katherine Patton. “Ultimately, the Carousel of Aloha will be the focal point of a bigger park and pavilion that will serve our community and bring everyone together,” she said.

The Carousel of Aloha will feature hand-carved Hawaii-themed menagerie figures like a monk seal, a green sea turtle, pa’u style horses and a nightingale, (the coffee-bean toting donkeys once used on coffee plantations islandwide). It will feature seating benches, scenic panels, mirrors and other colorful carousel amenities carved and painted by volunteer artisans throughout Hawaii. An expansive pavilion will house the carousel, gift shop and other indoor spaces available to the community for art and cultural activities, recreation and entertainment. An adjacent park will add outdoor space for cultural events and activities for families, residents and visitors to the east side of Hawaii Island.

Volunteers, donations, corporate sponsors and major benefactors are needed. For information on classes or how to help, visit carouselofaloha.org or contact Patton at 315-1093.

An informational display, including carousel figures in progress, is shown at the Hilo Coffee Mill in Mountain View every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hawaii Photo Expo accepting submissions

Brooks Jensen has been selected to judge the 13th annual Hawaii Photo Expo, a showcase for Big Island photographers. Jensen is the publisher of LensWork, which is one of the premier photography publications in existence today. He is also the developer of lensworkonline.com, pioneering a variety of online educational tools directed toward avid photographers.

Local photographers are invited to submit images for consideration in one of three categories: master, enthusiast or beginner. The Photo Expo is now accepting digital submissions either emailed or on CD by mail. Submission deadlines are: postmarked by March 17 or emailed by March 22. The judge will select from the digital submissions those images that will be accepted for display June 8 to 28 at Wailoa Center Gallery in Hilo,.

Hundreds of local photographers have participated in past events. Expo organizers wish to encourage beginners who have never previously submitted their work to any juried show.

Full details about requirements, the submission process and prizes to be awarded can be found at hawaiphotoexpo.com.