How many artists does it take to change a light bulb? Well, it depends on what type of artists one’s talking about.
This Saturday, from 6 to 9:30 p.m., about three dozen of the Big Island’s most talented artists will converge upon Kona Oceanfront Gallery in Kailua-Kona to share their inspirations with the public, and maybe even share their techniques for light reinstatement.
Formerly known as Wyland Kona Gallery, Kona Oceanfront Gallery will host its largest art exhibition of the year for the sixth year consecutive year. The Best of the West exhibition and art contest offers an opportunity for well-known, and up-and-coming Big Island artists to participate in a weeklong exhibition.
“We’ve been doing this now for six years,” said Mark Hanna, CEO of Kona Oceanfront Gallery. “It’s our way of supporting the local art here on the Big Island. We even bring people in from the Hilo side. We’ve opened our doors to these guest artists for the weekend because there is so much talent here. As a company, we decided we wanted to feature more of our local talent.”
The gallery is currently evolving in the direction of showcasing more Big Island artists, and has invited almost three dozen artists to display their work, talk story with guests, sign autographs, and participate in photo opportunities.
“This year we have the largest roster that we’ve ever had,” said Hanna. “We have (about) 35 artists that are going to be here on the 27th and they’ll all be talking story and sharing their inspirations and technique. The people that come and patronize our gallery will be given a ballot and vote for their six favorites.”
This year, Kona Oceanfront Gallery is proud to announce a special guest appearance by Tracey Fosso, publisher of West Hawaii Today, who will be hosting the event, and announcing the top six vote getters and recognition awards.
Public voting will begin today and continue through Saturday. Guests will receive confidential ballot forms and the winners will be announced at the show Saturday evening at around 8:30 p.m. Everyone who votes will also be entered into a raffle where they can win $2,500 worth of artwork.
“The gallery’s new direction is to support local art,” continued Hanna. “We’ve got some of the best talent under our roof and we’re very proud of that. We have some amazing, spectacular art that has never been seen before. Our gallery director is Jill Weiss and she is one of the most knowledgeable representatives of art on the Big Island. She’s kind of a celebrity in her own right. I don’t know of any other event in Kona that gets this much talent together for one night and has this many representatives of the art community in one place. The gallery is newly renovated and gorgeous. With the ocean as our backdrop out the back window, it will be an evening of nonstop fun. We pack the house every year.”
In addition to hundreds of pieces of newly displayed artwork that will be priced below market value for the event, the gallery will also offer wine tasting and light pupu.
Kona Oceanfront Gallery is located at 75-5770 Alii Drive at Waterfront Row in Kailua-Kona. Call 334-0037 or visit www.WylandBigIsland.com for more information.