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Fine Arts
Oahu offers a plethora of fine art venues and art exhibits throughout the island. Explore the world-class traveling and permanent exhibits at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, the fine art inspired by the soul of Hawaii at the Hawaii State Art Museum and the modern renderings of international artists throughout the grounds of The Contemporary Museum. Pop into the art galleries and pick up a piece of art on Nuuanu Avenue in downtown Honolulu, in Haleiwa on the North Shore or in bustling Waikiki. Make an appointment to visit the private art gallery of resident artists and get a personal glimpse into their artistic drive. Venture to art celebrations such as First Friday in downtown Honolulu or Art After Dark at the Honolulu Academy of Arts every last Friday of the month. Introduce yourself to our art community and understand how Hawaii's natural beauty and her people have inspired artists locally and around the globe.
ONGOING EVENTS
FREE THIRD THURSDAYS at THE CONTEMPORARY MUSEUM
Every Third Thursday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Free
(808) 526-1322/The Contemporary Museum/2411 Makiki Heights Drive/www.tcmhi.org
Free entry day at The Contemporary Museum. Bring the family…enjoy the historic Nuumealani gardens and view the exhibitions in the historic Cooke-Spalding residence. Contemporary Café and Gift Shop also open. TCM is Hawaii’s only museum devoted exclusively to contemporary art.
LAUHALA AND LUNCH
$30 for 2 plus admission; Available Tue-Sat 11:30 to 2 p.m.; Sun Noon to 2 p.m.
Admission: $8 adults; $6 senior and students; Free under 12; Military Free
(808) 526-1322/The Contemporary Museum/2411 Makiki Heights Drive/www.tcmhi.org
Lauhala and Lunch is a new picnic service offered by The Contemporary Café. Picnics for two are $30 and include a choice of sandwich or salad, dessert bar of the day, and choice of beverage for each person. Orders may be phoned ahead. Lunches are packed in picnic basket and include the loan of lauhala mats. Picnics may be enjoyed on the great lawn or throughout the beautiful Nuumealani gardens at the museum. TCM is Hawaii’s only museum devoted exclusively to contemporary art.
SECOND SATURDAY
Second Saturday of Each Month, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Free Admission
(808) 586-0900/Hawaii State Art Museum/250 South Hotel Street/www.hawaii.gov/sfca
Bring the kids to this free monthly family event. Have fun and get creative with hands-on arts activities. Learn from artists, craftsmen, and storytellers. Take a free mini tour of the Hawai‘i State Art Museum.
ART LUNCH
Last Tuesday of Each Month, 12-1 p.m.; Free Admission
(808) 586-0900/Hawaii State Art Museum/250 South Hotel Street/ www.hawaii.gov/sfca
Take a break during your lunch. Join us in downtown Honolulu and learn more about the arts. Each month, a guest lecturer describes their artwork, shows visual aids, and answers questions from the audience.
ENRICHED BY DIVERSITY: THE ART OF HAWAII
Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Free
(808) 586-0307/Hawaii State Art Museum/250 South Hotel Street/www.hawaii.gov/sfca
This enlightening exhibition features select works of art by Hawai‘i-based artists from the extensive Art in Public Places Collection, which includes over 5,000 works of art by more than 1,400 artists that have been acquired since the collection began in 1967. Inspirational themes in the installation revolve around rediscovering Hawaiian heritage, Asian roots, social consciousness, and cultural traditions.
UN/COMMON OBJECTS
Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Free Admission
(808) 586-0307/Hawaii State Art Museum/250 South Hotel Street/www.hawaii.gov/sfca
The exhibition celebrates the beauty found in common objects created with expert craftsmanship, tremendous skill, a mastery of materials, and high levels of aesthetic achievement. Like the transformation of the word “craft,” objects presented in this show have themselves evolved. They range from utilitarian and functional objects to conceptual, decorative, and abstract pieces. The exhibition provokes the viewer to re-conceptualize his or her notion of craft.
DOCENT TOURS AT THE CONTEMPORARY MUSEUM
Tuesday – Sunday 1:30 p.m.; $8 adults; $6 senior and students; Free under 12; Military Free
(808) 526-0232/The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu/2411 Makiki Heights Dr./www.tcmhi.org
Join our docents for a lively discussion about works on view in the galleries.
FIRST FRIDAY ART GALLERY WALK
First Friday of every month, 5–9 p.m., Free
(808) 521-2903/ARTS at Marks Garage/1159 Nuuanu/www.artsatmarks.com
Downtown-Chinatown Gallery Walk. A self guided tour. Galleries, museums and studios open their doors for an evening celebrating artists, art and art making of all kinds.
ON THE SPOT
First Saturday of every month, 8 p.m.; $14 general; $10 students
(808) 550-TIKS or www.honoluluboxoffice.com
(808) 521-2903/The ARTS at Marks Garage/1159 Nuuanu Avenue/www.artsatmarks.com
Smashbox Productions presents: Outrageous Improv Comedy. The troupe takes cues from the audience and improvises scenes incorporating a vast array of silly, spontaneous things with ever-changing themes including space travel, westerns and even musicals.
HISTORIC PRINTING PRESS DEMONSTRATIONS
Wednesdays 1 - 2 p.m.; Admission free
(808) 531-0481 ext 714/Mission Houses Museum/553 S. King St./www.missionhouses.org
See a working replica of an early 19th century printing press in action! Take home a souvenir printed piece. Great for all ages.
HAWAIIAN QUILTING WORKSHOP
2nd and 4th Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. / $35
(808) 531-0481 ext 714/Mission Houses Museum/553 S. King St./www.missionhouses.org
Registration fee includes Hawaiian pillow kit, then $6 for each additional class. Seating is limited, reservations required. Bring a bag lunch.
LAUHALA WEAVING DEMONSTRATIONS
Every 1st Saturday of the month; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Free
(808) 531-0481 ext 714/Mission Houses Museum/553 S. King St./www.missionhouses.org
Members of the Lauhala Weaving Hui gather to weave and share information with each other. Visitors are welcome to observe and ask questions about this important Polynesian craft.
FREE THIRD THURSDAYS AT THE CONTEMPORARY MUSEUM – Makiki Heights
Every Third Thursday of each month
(808) 237-5210/The Contemporary Museum/2411 Makiki Heights Drive/www.tcmhi.org
Enjoy free entry to The Contemporary Museum on every third Thursday of the month. TCM is Hawaii’s only museum dedicated exclusively to contemporary art. Café, Gift Shop and fabulous gardens also open.
TCM PRESENTS: TWENTY X 20
October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009; FREE ENTRY FOR 20-29-Year-Olds, with ID
(808) 237-5210/The Contemporary Museum/2411 Makiki Heights Drive/www.tcmhi.org
If you are twenty-something years old (20-29) and have an ID to prove it, then you can visit TCM any day it’s open beginning October 1, 2008 through September 20, 2009 for free! This is a special 20th anniversary offer.
FIRST FRIDAYS AT FIRST HAWAIIAN CENTER
7 - 9 p.m.; Free; Artist Talks at 7:30 p.m.
(808) 237-5210/The Contemporary Museum-FHC/999 Bishop Street/ www.tcmhi.org
Enjoy Hawaii’s popular Chinatown art walkabout on the first Friday of every month. TCM at First Hawaiian Center is open from 7 until 9 p.m. on these nights with light refreshments and special programs designed to enhance your understanding of the contemporary art exhibition on view. An artist talk or tour is offered at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.
