Big Island residents invited to enter juried art show

The Three Mountain Alliance, Natural Area Reserves System, Wailoa Center, and Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project are proud to announce Hawaii Nei 2015, a juried art exhibition celebrating the native flora and fauna of Hawaii Island.

Amateur and professional artists of all ages are invited to submit works of art celebrating the native plants, animals and habitats of our beloved island, our Hawaii Nei. Artwork will be displayed at the Wailoa Center from Nov. 6 through Dec. 17.

All Big Island residents are eligible to participate. All works must be original and have been created in the past two years and the image must not have been previously shown in any other exhibition, gallery or website. Artwork in any medium or combination of media is welcome.

The main subject(s) of your piece(s) must be a species native to Hawaii Island. Native species found only on other islands will not be accepted. All species found from ridge to reef on the island are acceptable. Subjects from beyond the reef, including the deep ocean, will not be accepted. Artwork highlighting non-native species, including Polynesian introductions, will not be accepted. Cultural or human components in the piece are acceptable as long as they complement the major theme of native species. Artwork made from native species is discouraged. If you have questions about whether your subject fits these parameters, contact Emily Leucht at emily.imipono@gmail.com or 430-1994.

All artwork must be registered online with a photo by Oct. 22 at www.hawaiineiartcontest.org. Artwork must then be dropped off in West Hawaii from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 24 at Donkey Mill Art Center in Holualoa or from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 31 at Wailoa Center in Hilo. West Hawaii participants are required to have their items boxed and ready for transport to Hilo.

There are four age divisions for entry: adult, elementary school (grades K-5), middle school (grades 6-8), and high school (grades 9-12). Students do not need to be affiliated with a school to enter. Class or group entries are also available for adults and youth (i.e., school class). For adult entries, there will be separate divisions for amateurs and professionals.

Prizes will be awarded for all divisions. Within each of these divisions, categories will be selected. Past categories include 2D, 3D, photography, and contemporary,to name a few. Cash prizes will be awarded to top winners in categories of the adult divisions, with a $300 prize for Jurors Choice. Past prizes have included a helicopter tour with Volcano Helicopters, a star-gazing tour with Hawaii Forest and Trail, family membership at Imiloa Astronomy Center, and various gift certificates from local businesses.

This year’s featured category is “Bugs: Insects, Spiders and their Kin.” Think small and investigate our tiny but vital critters. Check out www.hawaiineiartcontest.org for more resources and information regarding insects and their kin. Prize categories are not limited to the featured category. They are intended to showcase current topics within our native ecosystems.

Artists will be selected from the Hawaii Nei juried exhibition for an invitational show at the Volcano Art Center in July and August 2016. For the Volcano Art Center show, all works must focus on the native species/environment/inspiration of National Parks on Hawaii Island. Selected artists will be notified at the Hawaii Nei holiday reception on Dec. 4. For more information see our website, www.hawaiineiartcontest.org or contact Fia Mattice at gallery@volcanoartcenter.org

For more information, visit www.hawaiineiartcontest.org or check out the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HawaiiNei. Questions should be directed to Emily Leucht, contest coordinator, at emily.imipono@gmail.com or 430-1994.