Creativity was in free flow Wednesday at woodworker Tai Lake’s property in Holualoa as 35 artists from around the world gathered for the Hawaii Artist Collaboration.
The invitation-only collaborative marks the 10th year that artists from throughout Hawaii Island, Oahu, the U.S. mainland, France, Canada and New Zealand gathered on the Big Island to create unique pieces of art.
They began their endeavors Monday, working day and night to create and share fellowship.
The Hawaii Artist Collaboration is a 501(c)(3) that provides a meeting ground for artists of diverse backgrounds, abilities, and cultures in order to plan, develop, and implement arts and crafts education and opportunities in the communities of Hawaii and beyond. Inspired by similar events in Canada and New Zealand, founders Cliff Johns and Lake have created an event in Hawaii that has become a coveted destination for renowned artists.
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. Hawaii artists meet national and international contemporary artists across different media.
The artists, jewelers, ceramics, blacksmiths, woodworkers, painters, sculptors and more work together to create unique pieces that will be auctioned off Saturday to benefit arts in the school.
Lake was excited to again host the collaboration.
“There were a lot of new artists here this year and they dove right in,” said Lake. “We asked some of our senior artists for recommendations of emerging artists. As artists, we are used to working alone, but the older guys are teaching them to work together and find out how to share skills and resources.”
Lake has a section of his woodworking shop he calls the “parts pile,” mostly leftover unsold items from estate sales. Artists can pick through an eclectic collection of random items such as old typewriters, dolls, broken furniture, musical instruments and so much more with a vision of creating something unique. One artist starts a project then passes it along to another artist of a different discipline, each adding their own unique spin to the art. The result is one-of-a-kind pieces made by accomplished artisans.
Approximately 80-100 pieces produced will be offered for sale at the silent and live charity auction and artist reception hosted at the Hawaii Island Community Health Center pavilion located at 74-5214 Keanalehu Drive, from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 28. Proceeds help fund supplies for art teachers and their programs at Hawaii Island schools, and provide funds for future events.
The HAC artists have raised $30,000 for local art teachers since 2015 and the grants also have helped teachers in several other subjects incorporate art into their classrooms.
Tax deductible $35 tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite.com. For more information, please contact hawaiicollaboration@gmail.com, or visit Hawaii Artist Collaboration Facebook page.
“After 10 years, we got the roots in. Now we are able to branch out,” said Lake. “My dream would be to see this on each island.”