Pablo Picasso once said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
Pablo Picasso once said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
Well, now is West Hawaii’s chance to wash away some of that dust and awaken its senses to the inspiring magic of South Kona. SOKO, the South Kona Artists Collective, is opening up its studios, potting sheds, woodshops and beehives, to invite the community into their world of artistic expression.
Inspired by hibiscus blossoms, the veins of taro leaves, whales in their mysterious dance and the aroma of roasting coffee, these 19 artists are showcasing their work in nine different locations from Holualoa to Puuhonua O’ Honaunau Saturday and Sunday in a unique and intimate driving tour.
The artists of SOKO range as much in backgrounds as they do in mediums. Gathering from all over the world, these artists have come to call South Kona their home.
Linda Savell, a ceramists and member of SOKO, believes this art tour has unique potential.
“Most people think that seeing art in Hawaii is something done pretty much in Kona.” Savell said. “But South Kona is home to many amazing artists. Meeting them in their studio and having a chance to discuss their work can be a wonderful connection.”
Savell, a 20 year resident, said South Kona is a magical place for artists.
“Too many visitors only stay on the tourist track,” Savell said. “They never get a chance to see what is really magnificent about Hawaii; its natural beauty, how we live and how we are inspired by it.”
Kathleen Carr, photographer and member of SOKO, has had her work internationally exhibited and has been, among other honors, featured by the Hawaii State Foundation of the Arts and Culture.
“I was drawn to South Kona,” Carr said, “by the incredible beauty of the land and ocean. I swim every morning and photograph the corals, dolphins, whales and all the ocean’s inhabitants. I am also impressed by the community of people here in South Kona.”
Carr said this year’s tour is an exciting for SOKO.
“Last year, we had very little budget and not much exposure,” she said. “And it was pouring rain each day. But still we had a steady stream of people who were very enthusiastic about the tour.”
This year SOKO has created a website showcasing each artist and all of SOKO’s events. It also has received funding from the Hawaii State Foundation of the Arts and Culture.
“Our vision is to bring awareness to the arts in our community and to create economic benefits for the island,” Carr said.
While the list of art mediums on the art tour is extensive and varied, some of the most unusual creations are from Garnet Puett. Puett, a descendant of several generations of artists and commercial beekeepers, creates the most fascinating and jaw-dropping art pieces. Using a mixture of metal, wood and beeswax, his sculptures — some abstract, others less so — exude a feeling of the living pulse of a beehive. It is as if the art piece itself could indeed be inhabited by a bee colony. The bees creating the artwork; Puett’s hands are the mere vehicle for its construction.
Clive Salmon’s, or Kona Clive, and his South Seas inspired woodcrafts has his woodshop within a tree house. Glass jewelry designs, seamless quilt works, watercolors and oil paintings all can be found on this driving tour, which promises a glimpse through the looking glass of South Kona’s magical landscape.
The tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning in Holualoa and then proceeding to various locations in Keauhou, Kainaliu, Captain Cook and Honaunau. Yellow signs will mark your way and participating sites. Brochures including maps of the tour are available at the Blue Ginger Gallery in Kainaliu and throughout Kona at various hotels and eateries.
Maps and information about each artist is available at SOKO’s website, www.sokoartists.com. ■