Artists gather, create projects to benefit students

HOLUALOA — The creative energy was flowing this week through Tai Lake’s farm in Holualoa as 40 artists from around the world came together for the sixth annual Hawaii Artist Collaboration.

As Ron Gerton, a first-time attendee of the collaboration, dug rocks and pebbles from a gnarled piece of wood, you could see the wheels turning, the imagination sparked as he thought about what he could do with it. That’s the best part.

“I love seeing trash made into treasure,” he said.

A 501(c)3 nonprofit, the Hawaii Artist Collaboration is dedicated to the power of cooperation and collaboration amongst artists, arts organizations and educators with the goal of creatively facing the challenges of the future.

The event was conceived as a gathering place where kupuna and master artists can recharge and reinvigorate their work through a sharing of knowledge and skills, said Lake, the event’s co-founder. Hawaii artists meet national and international contemporary artists across 14 different media including wood and metal work, ceramics, glass, and jewelry.

And the best part?

The results of four days of creating together on the slopes of Hualalai are available at an auction this today that will run from 4-7 p.m. at the Holualoa Inn. All proceeds from the live and silent auction will go to the nonprofit’s scholarships and future events. The $30 event donation benefits the Art Educator’s Fund, which provides supplies for Hawaii public school art teachers. Teachers who apply for and are awarded the grant receive an additional discount from Akamai Art Supply, making their dollar stretch further for classroom supplies.

“The potential for greatness is amazing” said jewelry maker Kristin Shiga from Portland, Oregon, who was working on a piece before handing it over to the next media for completion. “The future of education is collaboration. It is the best way to educate. And you make new friends.”