A spot of tea, served just right in proper British style, greeted patrons and artists at the Garden Island Arts Council’s opening reception for the Teapot as Art exhibition at the Kukui Grove Center exhibition area near Kauai Bakery &
A spot of tea, served just right in proper British style, greeted patrons and artists at the Garden Island Arts Council’s opening reception for the Teapot as Art exhibition at the Kukui Grove Center exhibition area near Kauai Bakery & Cinnamon.
The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party theme saw artists and patrons alike don their finest “Alice in Wonderland” attire, with Carol Yotsuda barely recognizable in her costume.
“I loved it that even my good friends did not recognize me in my Amos Kotomori headpiece and black feather boa and tie-dye gown. It looked like every rooster on the island had donated their black tail feathers for my outfit,” she said.
“Even the electronics were cooperating to set the mood as the spotlights went off whenever the tea kettle was whistling or the microphone went on,” said Yotsuda.
Teapots, recycled-art creations, headgear and costumes combined in creative ways that made it quite difficult and unnecessary, really, to try to discern artist from patron.
Car parts, wires, scrunchies, rosebuds, feathers, party hats, safety pins, sombreros, paniolo hats, folded newspaper hats, and other imaginative things became part of people’s outfits.
Setting the mood were two appropriately garbed English ladies, Jodi and Diana, serving tea in the proper British manner while GIAC board members also served tea sandwiches and other goodies contributed by the artists.
Juan and Lani Lugo, who looked like they stepped out of “Alice in Wonderland” in their red, white and black outfits, greeted all the viewers at the door with ballots for the People’s Choice Awards.
Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to vote for their favorite teapot and favorite recycled-art creation. The winners of the People’s Choice balloting were Laurel Francis with her “Creature Comfort” chair completely covered with discarded stuffed animals, and Gloria Hope-Taogoshi, a first-time exhibiting artist, with her interactive teapot which poured tea into a teeny cup whenever you pressed a button. It even had music coming out of it.
Allison Fraley, head of the county recycling program, was recognized for her work at the county recycling office, and for awarding GIAC with the re-use grant that helped make the exhibition happen.
Fraley, in turn, called on Kathy McClelland-Cowan, who was recognized for her, after so many years of bureaucratic tap-dancing and red tape, finally getting the Hot Glass Recycle Studio going at the county recycling center.
McClelland-Cowan arrived just in time for her recognition after a whole week of workshops for kids at the Hot Glass Studio. She, in turn, recognized her board members who were present.
Nancy Beckel and Janet Killerman, co-chair of the Teapot As Art show, and Melani Nagao, chair of the Metamorphosis — Trash Into Art show, were recognized for pulling off such a successful event. Anne O’Malley, who helps market GIAC events, and Lisa Llewellyn, dubbed by Yotsuda the GIAC “Girl Friday,” were both acknowledged for their work. GIAC board members who were present were also recognized.
GIAC leaders wanted to thank Kukui Grove Center officials for allowing use of space for the exhibit, County of Kaua‘i officials for the re-use grant, and owners of Harbor Mall for providing workshop and open studio space, Noah Evslin for setting up the sound system, and to all those who came to enjoy the reception.
GIAC activities are supported in part by a grant from the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
