Welcome Spring
Looking for a venue to show my paintings, I asked for and am granted a spot at a two-day Hawaiian native arts fair—the Native Hawaiian Arts Market & Keiki Art Festival. I can’t say how many artists are showing in this 5th annual MAMo (Maoli Arts Month) event, but anytime there is a gathering of Hawaiians expressing themselves it’s worth noticing, especially if one lives in the Islands. It’s a good thing to keep up with the host culture of where you live.
So please save the dates: May 22 and 23, Bishop Museum grounds, entrance on Bernice street between Kalihi street and Kapalama avenue in Honolulu, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special admission (see below).
With Native fine art and craftmanship, art that is now and art that is part of our ongoing living history, one can appreciate how the indigenous, or maoli, peoples, are evolving and what we have to say about ourselves, our land, and the universe.
The artwork you see will be for sale. It is a joy to support Native Hawaiian made products in Hawaii. At the Arts Market buyers can know that the Hawaiian artists can keep all the money earned from their original creations, as opposed to giving a commission to a gallery. Several sponsors and grant makers, led by the PA‘I Foundation, make this possible.
My own paintings, the ones on the PAINTINGS link of this website and several new canvases, are in the studio in different stages toward completion, gearing up for this event. The last time I exhibited actual pieces in a public gallery was in 2007 in a group show with my hapa Chinese cousins at Gallery on the Pali in Nuuanu. So, I’m very excited to return to the art scene in Honolulu.
This week I’ll be signing, varnishing, framing, inventorying, and pricing the work while DH builds a few more display easels. DH is my main easel, and perhaps he will take a break from his Bishop Museum docent gig to join me in greeting you when you come next Saturday and Sunday.
You’ll have a fabulous time. Meet the artists and talk to them about their work. Bring $5 admission. That will get you into the Bishop Museum galleries including the new Hawaiian Hall, as well. Bring a lot more kala (money) to buy some art. Artists have to eat too. 😉 Thank you and all the organizers and supporters of Maoli Arts!
Rebekah’s Studio 
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