The art studio located in the Mary D. and Walter F. Frear Hall at Parker School has been named “The Martha Greenwell Art Studio” following an intimate dedication ceremony held Jan. 9. The ceremony honored the Big Island artist for her dedication to the arts and school.
The art studio located in the Mary D. and Walter F. Frear Hall at Parker School has been named “The Martha Greenwell Art Studio” following an intimate dedication ceremony held Jan. 9. The ceremony honored the Big Island artist for her dedication to the arts and school.
Greenwell, who died in 2014 at the age of 93, is one of the most beloved Big Island artists. Her oil on canvas paintings often depicted the quiet, tranquil and hidden natural beauty of Hawaii. Her favorite subjects included back roads, fog-shrouded forests, old island shacks, weathered fences, waterfalls and streams, and rolling pastures. Always seen carrying a sketch pad, canvas, pencils and a camera, Greenwell brought to life the beauty of Hawaii.
In addition to her love of painting, Greenwell was a supporter of the Waimea private school. Between 2006 and 2014, she gifted nine custom works of art each created specifically to benefit the school’s annual financial aid auction gala, Kahiau. She also sponsored tables at Kahiau, supported the school’s annual fund and donated to various capital campaigns and student scholarships over the years.
“What is neat to me is not so much that our mother’s name is now on a space, but that Parker School has given such good attention and importance to exposing students to art. Thank you so much to Parker School for keeping art in the forefront and part of the process for students and for honoring mom,” said James “Jimmy” Greenwell, Martha Greenwell’s son.