Photo: Courtesy of Aly Ishikuni
It can be seen until March 21, second floor, Galeria Lē’ahi
This highly anticipated exhibit features over 160 works of art and is the state’s largest art competition for students in grades 7-12. Winners were selected from over 2,500 entries in 16 different categories in a wide variety of media, ranging from drawing and painting to digital collage and installation art. The Gold Key award-winning artworks on display were carefully selected by an invited jury from the local art community.
“This year’s competition marks our first public-private partnership with Lexus Hawai’i, which has generously donated 20 $200 scholarships as part of its Takumi Awards,” says Kamakani Konia, Capitol Modern and Art in Public Places program director. The awards are named after Japanese master craftsmen who perfect their craft with dedication, patience and attention to detail.
Konia adds, “Lexus Hawai’i will also award two $4,000 scholarships to deserving students, as well as a $4,000 grant to their schools’ art programs.” See all the extraordinary creativity of the next generation of Hawaiian artists in this exhibition.
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Photos: Lisa Shiroma
It can be seen until April 4, ground floor
On the ground floor of the display cases adjacent to the Mori gift shop is the first group exhibition themed on the native seabird manu-o-kū (white tern). Named the official bird of the City and County of Honolulu in 2007 by Mayor Mufi Hannemann, manu-o-kū are thriving in our city as their population continues to grow. Presented in collaboration with Hui Manu-o-Kū, this exhibit features works by local artists and elementary school students inspired by these beautiful seabirds.
Photo: Courtesy of the State Foundation for Culture and the Arts
It can be seen until July 4, second floor, ‘Ewa Gallery
Hosted by the beloved Maui Arts and Cultural Center as a triennial since 2003, this statewide juried exhibition is now on loan to be experienced at Capitol Modern. With its goal of “encouraging Hawaiian artists to present the people of their island communities through explorations in portraiture,” it requires that the subject of the portrait be a person who lives in Hawaii and has a direct relationship with the artist. The result is a beautiful set of portraits that capture honest and vulnerable human moments.
Photo: Courtesy of the State Foundation for Culture and the Arts
It can be seen until July 4, second floor, ‘Ewa Gallery
Alongside the Schaefer Portrait Challenge is a selection of captivating portraits from the Art in Public Places (APP) collection that complements the adjacent gallery space. Discover the fascinating stories behind each of these enigmatic portraits.
Photo: Courtesy of the State Foundation for Culture and the Arts
It can be seen until July 4, second floor, Galeria Lē’ahi
This exhibition brings together the unique voices of 21 guest curators from the Hawai’i art community. After searching the State Foundation for Culture and Arts’ massive collection of Art in Public Places, each curator was tasked with selecting three for viewers to participate in. Learn more about the different viewpoints and thought processes of the curators behind the artworks they have chosen to share with you.
Free admission, open Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Sunday through Tuesday and state holidays, Capitol Modern, 250 S. Hotel St., capitolmodern.org, @capitolmodern
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Lisa Shiroma is a Capitol Modern correspondent and artist. She is the former owner of the Capitol Modern Museum Gallery Shop, which she ran with partners Aly Ishikuni and Travis Sasaki of Mori by Art + Flea.

