KUKUI GROVE — The holiday rush at Kukui Grove may be over, but traffic is still steady at the Kaua‘i Society of Artists Small Works Show Holiday 2007. “It’s been pretty steady all morning,” said Heidi Caglayan who was gallery
KUKUI GROVE — The holiday rush at Kukui Grove may be over, but traffic is still steady at the Kaua‘i Society of Artists Small Works Show Holiday 2007.
“It’s been pretty steady all morning,” said Heidi Caglayan who was gallery sitting for her husband Saim, Friday morning.
Saim is one of 84 artists whose works qualified for display in the annual showing at the Kukui Grove Shopping Center which opened to the public right before the holiday rush began at the mall.
“He only has one work at this show, but has a lot more paintings and sculptures at the Hanapepe Artworks gallery,” Heidi said.
That prompted one art enthusiast to inquire about the weekly Art Walk that takes place through the Hanapepe town and its collection of galleries each Friday night.
Juried by O‘ahu artist and gallery owner Pegge Hopper who is known for her painting and printing distinctive Hawaiian women, Laurel Ann Francis topped the list of award winners with her “Mind Over Matter? A Penny For Your Thoughts.” That piece was presented the Rena Selfe Award.
“Kaua‘i Skies VIII,” by Liedeke Bulder earned the Paul Yardley Award and ‘Ohi Opihi by Michelle Dick captured the KIUC Award.
Mel Gabel’s “Natural Abstract” was presented the Kaua‘i Society of Artists, the show’s host, Award. “Sunset Splendor” by Howard Brown earned the Art Framers Partners Award, and Devi Town’s “Flotsam & Jetsam: Driftwood with Frayed Plastic Rope” earned the Banana Patch Studio Award.
Helen Turner’s “Chill Coconut Man, Farmers Mkt.” earned the Portraits of Hawai‘i Award and a ceramic piece, “Volcano,” by John Dumas captured the KSA Invitation Award to round out the presentations.
Honorable mention awards were presented to Carol Bennett, Fanny Bilodeau, A. Kimberlin Blackburn, John Davidson, Kathleen Ho, Fern Kalb, Dawn Lundquist, Penny Nichols, Rocky Riedel, R. Eve Solomon, Keith Tammarine, Martin Wessler and Freddie Zollinger.
“We’ve been providing the space for the art shows at no charge to the hosts,” said Jonell Kaohelauli‘i, the marketing manager for Kukui Grove. “It’s a way we can let the community explore the different art pieces done by many of our island’s artists.”
Heidi agreed, noting that the gallery allows people to browse through the various works without the veil of high prices or other intimidating factors keeping them from enjoying art.
She said her husband has been doing art since he graduated from Cal State, starting with sculpting and moving into painting.
“He’s been a stone carver for about 23 years, starting in 1974, and has been painting for 15 to 20 years,” the gallery sitter said, noting that Saim is also the president of the Kaua‘i Outdoor Painters Association, a group of artists who gather to do “plein air painting” outdoors.
The KSA Small Works Show Holiday 2007 is available for viewing from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily through Jan. 18. Friday nights, the gallery stays open until 8 p.m.
There is no admission, although donations are accepted.
