LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Society of Artists’ board member Carol Meckling did the best she could to keep the video camera stable Friday when the 2020 ART Kaua‘i exhibit opened at the KSA gallery at Kukui Grove Center.
“What?” Meckling asked when juror Maile Andrade, a professor of Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, announced “Hahalua – Hawaiian Manta Ray” the recipient of the KSA Award. “That’s me. That’s my piece.”
Due to social-distancing and group-gathering conditions imposed by COVID-19, there was no opening reception where the exhibit’s winners would normally be announced. Instead, Andrade made the announcements of the exhibit’s eight major winners via walkaround.
The virtual tour that provides not just the winners, but an overall glimpse of the show featuring about 80 of Kaua‘i’s creators, will be available on the KSA social-media pages.
The show runs through Oct. 30 and is open for viewing daily from noon to 4 p.m. Special Friday night hours are from noon to 7 p.m. There is no admission, although donations are accepted.
Bon Moore’s Vessel of Hope is a fine example of three-dimensional art that must be appreciated from all angles, Andrade said. Moore’s piece was named the recipient of the SG Builders 3D Award. And just down the list of entrants, Rowland Morita’s “Branches” was the recipient of the Edward M. Eaton Memorial Award, an award sponsored by KSA Treasurer RoseAnne Jones and her sister in memory of their brother.
Creator Carol Bennett had three accepted entries into the show that features a wide variety of media. Her “Kissing the Ground” captured the eye and heart of Andrade to earn the Dawn Steinhart Award, and Robin McCoy’s “Let Your Light Shine” was awarded the Rena Self Award.
“This makes me laugh,” Andrade said of “Ballzo and his Boo” by Sally French, that was presented the Margo Latiff Memorial Award.
Ramona Rinaldo’s “Little Paniolo” was awarded the Garden Island Arts Council Award, and Tomoko Ouchi will have the honor of one of her pieces being the invitation artwork for the 2021 ART Kaua‘i show after the piece, “Convergence,” one of three entries selected for the exhibit, was named the recipient of the KSA Invitation Award.
Robb Jones, with two pieces in this year’s show, picked up the honor from last year’s exhibit as his “The Chicken Plucker” graces the invitation that is available for guests visiting the show, one of the four major exhibits presented by KSA during its calendar year.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
