Woodturner Craig Nichols recently received Harbor Gallery’s Summer Wood Show top honor.
Nichols’ koa piece, “Ocean in Motion,” which features a trio of carvings including a breaching humpback whale, a spinner dolphin and a Hawaiian green sea turtle, was deemed the Best of Show. He also won the sculpture category with his carved koa dolphin on a freestyle, natural wood base called “Majestic Moment.”
Winning the turning category was Michael Patrick Smith with his piece titled “Flight” made from Cook Pine with pyrographically burned images of manta rays swimming on the interior.
Joinery, which includes inlay work, frames, boxes and furniture, was won by Marcus Castaing and Duane Millers’ “Transcendence. The piece, a spectacular jewelry armoire of mostly curly koa, features numerous drawers divided inside with different-sized compartments and doors on either side to hang necklaces and other finery, standing on graceful legs.
The open category, which includes mixed work, kinetic or functional artwork, was won by Rodney Crusat with his unique double-necked fiddleback curly koa ukulele. As if the instrument wasn’t spectacular enough, Crusat built a custom, fitted case for the instrument to cradle, display and protect the instrument.
All the works displayed were for sale along with almost 60 original pieces made by dozens of Big Island artists. There are still a number of pieces unsold.
Winners in each category will receive a $100 award from Harbor Gallery, and the Best of Show winner gets $250. The winners were determined by written ballot by the public physically visiting Harbor Gallery and evaluating each piece on display.
The gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Kawaihae Shopping Center. For more information, call (808) 882-1510 or visit www.harborgallery.biz.
