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| Print by Harinani Orme, who joins a list of master artists signing on to teach in the new program. - Photo: Courtesy HOEA |
Hawaiian visual arts
program
to open in Waimea
Master artists to embrace traditional teaching through 'imi haku
As part of the Keōmailani Hanapī Foundation's mission to increase the visibility of Native Hawaiian arts and the number of Native Hawaiian artists, the Hawaiian 'Ohana for Education in the Arts will be conducting a studio program in Waimea, Hawai'i, with summer and winter sessions.
The program, to be held on the campus of Hawai'i Preparatory Academy, is geared toward recent high school graduates and emerging adult artists interested in furthering their skills in the Native Hawaiian arts. "We want to get emerging artists to work with master artists to raise the level of their skill," said HOEA director Kauanoe Chang.
The Hawaiian cultural base of the school is not limited to the art disciplines being taught, but also extends to the method of teaching. The traditional teaching practice of 'imi haku brings the mentor and the student into a close teaching-learning relationship.
Budding artists will come together with master artists such as woodworker Sol Apio and his son, woodturner Alani Apio, Māori carver and jeweler Stacy Gordine, kapa maker Marie McDonald along with her daughter Roen Hufford, printmaker Harinani Orme, pahu and other woodwork maker Kalā Willis, and more artists yet to be confirmed. The intensive program will run four weeks in the summer and two weeks in the winter, with directed studies in between to build a professional portfolio. Successful participants will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the winter session.
The first part of the program during the summer will teach the fundamentals of visual arts, including composition and color foundation in a variety of media. In addition, specialized instruction will include kapa, kālai lā'au, printmaking, and jewelry making.
Beyond the artistic skills, HOEA hopes that emerging artists will learn the business side of the arts and will offer an opportunity for students to exhibit and sell art at a market in Waimea in October.
"We know we have creative talent in North Hawai'i and all over Hawai'i Island. We chose to offer programs that could have economic impact on our Hawaiian communities that result in sellable items for our artists," Chang said. "We hope to have Waimea become a mecca for those looking to buy Hawaiian art."
The studio program is part of a three-year Native Hawaiian Art Education Project of the Keōmailani Hanapī Foundation, supported by the Administration for Native Americans. In the future, the 'Ohana hopes to build a community art center in one of the homestead communities in Waimea and to run a program where students can choose to work toward a certificate or credits transferrable to another institution.
"Our dream is that Hawaiians who chose to pursue art in an economic way can leave us and establish their own operations in their communities," Chang said.
Applications for classes are being accepted through April. Tuition is $3,000 for the session, with financial aid available for Native Hawaiian students. A room and board plan is also available at Hawai'i Preparatory Academy for those who live outside the Waimea area. More information and the application form are available khf-hoea.org, or call the HOEA office at (808) 885-6541.
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