Maoli Arts Month – Arts Market – 23 May 2009

It was a blazing day on O’ahu, summer is truly here, so we picked right up with the summertime sounds for this Maoli Arts Market day at the Bishop Museum. Everyone was putting up tents from early morning, rigging the stage and sound system, and getting the food ready. The artists and craftsmen with their friends and families flooded in with their incredible artworks, setting up under shady tents on the Great Lawn.

Jewelry, featherwork, lauhala, wood objects, and wearable art were among the hundreds of gorgeous objects. Keiki activities were going strong all day, and the shave ice tent had steady business right next to the Hawaiian music.

We grabbed fiber artist Marques Marzan for a quick talk about his projects. He works in the collections department at the Bishop Museum, in close contact with priceless Hawaiian artifacts. His installation piece in fiber and mixed media is on view now at the Bishop Museum and he’s known for outrageous pieces in past Wearable Art Shows.

Mahalo to Kehau Abad, Director of Kamehameha Publishing,and to Keola Akana, Marketing Specialist with KS for bringing a handsome book, Lele Kawa, to our attention. Check www.kamehamehapublishing.org to find out all the online extras they’ve put together with this powerful book.

Noelle Kahanu, Co-Chair of Maoli Arts Month with Vickie, also dropped by to share some of the inspiration behind this month dedicated to celebrating Kanaka Maoli artists. Mahalo plenty to the Bishop Museum’s Public Affairs Director, Donalyn Delacruz, for her help taking Na Kai ‘Ewalu on location for the past 3 exciting programs.

The ‘olelo no’eau this week: “Maka hana ka ‘ike,” or, “in the doing is the learning”. Sometimes talking and talking doesn’t work as well as actually doing it for yourself.

 

 Maoli Arts Month - Arts Market - 23 May 2009 [109:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download