(Photo courtesy of Cliff Johns Gallery)

MEDIA RELEASE

Longtime Hawaii Island resident and active member of the fine arts community, Cliff Johns describes himself as an artist, sculptor, wood turner and gallery owner. Add to that all round good guy, devoted father and grandfather.

Devoted to promoting Big Island artists, Johns is also co-visionary and founder of the annual Hawaii Artist Collaborative hosted in Holualoa Town each October.

Passionate about the variety of native woods found here, he devotes most of his time to wood turning and sculpting.

“I am so fortunate to have so many beautiful Hawaiian woods available to me here on the Big Island. The woods I use are procured from arborists, tree trimmers, and sites that are being cleared for development. The wood has taught me so much in just exploring it, and the environment here has an even greater influence on the work I produce,” John said.

His eponymous gallery, located in Holualoa Town for many years, recently found a new home in Mango Court (79-7460 Mamalahoa Highway just south of Kainaliu) and showcases not only a large collection of Johns’ work but that of more than 30 Island artists.

“I’m not shy about boasting that the Cliff Johns Gallery has some of the best artists in the islands all under one roof. These are artists who have perfected their craft and have won many awards both here and on the mainland. All have pieces in major art collections. Not a day goes by without someone saying, ‘The work in your gallery is some of the best I’ve ever seen!,” Johns said.

Of his own art, he said, “My work ranges from traditional Hawaiian Calabashes to contemporary artistic forms. Burnt details on the edges of my work add another level of detail and appeal for me.”

Among the many artists represented at the gallery are internationally acclaimed – and internationally collected – furniture-maker Tai Lake; wood sculptor Rodney (Kala) Willis; woodturners John Mydock, Gregg Smith and Karen Stebbins; painters Lynn Capell, Lisa Bunge and Esther Szegedy; and traditional Hawaiian crafts Apo Aquino.

“We’re delighted to continue to share the work of these talented artists at our new location. It’s a new adventure for all of us and I’m enjoying the new vibe,” Johns said.

Johns’ knowledgeable, enthusiastic and personable granddaughter Alexis is managing the gallery.

The gallery is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday -Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.

“We’ve come up with ‘First Friday’ events to showcase the work of two of our artists on a rotating basis the first Friday of each month,” Alexis Johns says. “May 3 is our debut event featuring pupu and beverages, and my grandfather’s artwork and that of painter Lisa Bunge.”

— Find out more:
www.cliffjohns.com

(Photo courtesy of Cliff Johns Gallery)