Three Mountain Alliance, Natural Area Reserves System, Wailoa Center, Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park announces a call to artists for Hawaii Nei 2016, 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 Nov. 4-Dec. 16. All residents of Hawaii Island are eligible to participate. All works must be original, created in the past two years, and the image must not have been previously shown in any other exhibition, gallery or website.
Each year, Hawaii Nei selects a featured category to highlight a special species, theme, or event. While the featured category is meant to help inspire artist, artwork is not limited to the featured category. The 2016 featured category is, “National Parks Preserving Pilina.”
In celebration of the centennial anniversary of our national parks, Hawaii Nei invites artists to explore the ways in which Hawaii Island’s National Parks preserve our pilina or connection and love for nature and specifically for our unique and diverse native species. For the first time, and only for this category, Hawaii Nei will allow artists to portray humans in the artwork, however, plants and animals prominently depicted in the work must be native to Hawaii Island.
Artwork in any medium or combination of media is welcome. 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 made from native species is discouraged.
All artwork must be registered online by Oct. 20 at www.hawaiineiartcontest.org. A photo of the artwork and entry fees are required with registration. Artwork drop-off dates, times and locations are 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 22 at Donkey Mill Art Center in Holualoa; and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 29 at Wailoa Center in 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 also are 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, medium categories will be selected. Past categories include 2-D, 3-D, photography and contemporary. Cash and other prizes will be awarded to top winners in categories of the adult divisions, with a $300 prize for Jurors Choice.
Additionally, several special field trips are planned as a prelude to the November art exhibit. Hawaii Nei is partnering with its National Park ohana to host four Art Adventures: May 7 at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park; June 18 at Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site; July 9 at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kahuku Unit; and Aug. 6 Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
Info: hawaii.nei.art@gmail.com, www.hawaiineiartcontest.org.