Five isle artists win HFIA awards

MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii Forest Industry Association (HFIA) has announced the winners of the 2013 juried Hawaii’s ‘Woodshow, Na Laau o Hawaii.’

Five artisans from Hawaii Island returned with awards from the prestigious exhibition.

Triple award-winner Scott Hare from Kurtistown brought home an Honorable Mention recognizing outstanding execution and design for his Milo wood piece, “The Last Kiss…Extinction.”

J. Kelly Dunn - 'Plumeria Nocturne' (Photo courtesy of Hal Lum)

J. Kelly Dunn – ‘Plumeria Nocturne’ (Photo courtesy of Hal Lum)

Based on votes by visitors to the exhibition, the work was as pleasing to the crowds as to the exhibition’s jurors. Hare’s entry won the People’s Choice Award. Hare’s peers also recognized his outstanding work. Participating artists selected “The Last Kiss…Extinction” for the Artist’s Choice Award.

Hare’s woodworking business, Hawaii Koa Naturals, is based in Kurtistown.

Another Kurtistown resident, Michael Patrick Smith, was also a triple award-winner returning to the Big Island with three Honorable Mentions. “Fan Leaf Sculpture” of Milo, Lychee, Koa and Ebonized Mango was recognized in the sculpture category and in the turning category, “Yin Yang Fern” made from Mango and “Earth, Sea & Sky” made from Cook Pine were awarded.

First Place Sculpture, sponsored by Hawaii State Foundation on Culture & the Arts, went to Cliff Johns for “Holo Hula.” The sculpture was created from Bermuda Cedar from a tree removed from a private yard in Captain Cook.

The Cliff Johns Gallery is located in Kainaliu.

First Place Turning, sponsored by Hawaii Forest Institute, was awarded to J. Kelly Dunn, a wood lathe artist from Hawi, for his piece “Plumeria Nocturne,” which he crafted from Mexican Cypress.

Kelly and Linda Dunn’s all-wood art gallery, Dunn Gallery, in Kapaau represents some of the finest wood artists and craftsmen in the state as well as selected wood artists from around the world.

Artisan Mats Fogelvik brought home an Honorable Mention for “Pua Koa,” a furniture piece made from curly Koa burl veneer, Koa veneer, and Rosewood. His company, Fogelvik Furniture, is based in Ocean View.

Other winners at the 21st Annual Hawaii’s Woodshow:

* Best of Show – sponsored by Kamehameha Schools; presented to the most outstanding entry in the exhibition

Tak Yoshino – Zen Meditation Chair “Mantra”

* Award of Excellence – sponsored by Woodcraft Hawaii; presented to the most outstanding entry by one of the qualifying Career Recognition artists

Joel Bright – Credenza

* First Place Furniture – sponsored by Department of Land & Natural Resources, Division of Forestry & Wildlife

Douglas Gordon – Writing Desk

* First Place Musical Instrument

Rich Godfrey – “Mahina” Koa Guitar

* First Place Novice

Hongtao Zhou – Energy Wood

* First Place Open

Francisco Clemente – “Silent Whisper”

* Honorable Mention; presented to recognize outstanding execution and design

R. W. Butts – King’s Cauldron

Tom Calhoun – “Persephone’s Purse”

Shaun Fleming – “Maui Forest”

* Spirit of the Show Award; best showcases use of wood from under-utilized non-native trees while meeting exhibition criteria. Work featuring koa, mango, Cook or Norfolk Pine are not eligible.

Landon Hamada – Curved Chair

* Kent Award – sponsored by Ron and Myra Kent; recognizes and honors the most promising first-time entrant age 18 and under

Landon Hamada – Curved Chair

Internationally recognized premier woodworker Paul Schurch, award-winning studio furniture designer Marian Yasuda and award-winning member of the American Institute of Architects and CEO at Group 70 International Norman G. Y. Hong served as jurors at this 21st annual Hawaii’s Woodshow.

They had the difficult task of selecting winners from among more than 80 entries that ranged from furniture and woodturning to sculpture and musical instruments.

Hawaii’s Woodshow was Sept. 1-15 at the Honolulu Museum of Art School at Linekona. More than 20 pieces were sold following the exhibition’s conclusion and four works received recognition awards from the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture & the Arts.

Sponsors helping make Hawaii’s Woodshow possible were Kamehameha Schools, Hawaii State Foundation on Culture & the Arts, DLNR Division of Forestry & Wildlife, Hawaii Forest Institute, Woodcraft Hawaii, Halekulani On the Beach at Waikiki, Maui Custom Woodworkers, Inc., Ocean Eagle, Ron and Myra Kent, Hilo Frame Shop, Tusher Architectural Group, Thomas A. Loudat, C. Barton Potter, and Bubbies Ice Cream.

Hawaii’s Woodshow was created to promote an appreciation for the remarkable variety of Hawaii-grown woods as well as for the talented woodworkers throughout our Islands. Artists are limited to Hawaii-grown wood and are encouraged to use conservative techniques such as veneering to make the most effective use of woods in limited supply. Certain rare or endangered species are prohibited.

— Find out more:
www.hawaiiforest.org
www.hawaiiforestinstitute.org

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