More than 300 supporters of the arts and artists turned out June 9 to welcome three new exhibits to the galleries of the Wailoa Art & Cultural Center in Hilo. A festive opening reception launched the 13th annual Hawaii Photo Expo, a show by the Hawaii Gourd Society and the American Heart Association’s “A Stroke of Art” exhibit.
More than 300 supporters of the arts and artists turned out June 9 to welcome three new exhibits to the galleries of the Wailoa Art & Cultural Center in Hilo. A festive opening reception launched the 13th annual Hawaii Photo Expo, a show by the Hawaii Gourd Society and the American Heart Association’s “A Stroke of Art” exhibit.
Visitors enjoyed learning about the gourd society’s mission via a brief talk by Evie Lahti Morby, who has her gourds on exhibit along with fellow gourd artists John McCollum and the founder of Ipu Lani Inc., Mary Amos.
Next, the Photo Expo winners were announced by Andrew Bisset, with appreciation to juror Brooks Jensen and to all the volunteers who made the exhibit happen. There’s still time to vote for your favorite photo by filling out a ballot for the Peoples Choice Award, which will be determined at the end of the month.
Dennis Leatherman, the art instructor for drawing and painting classes titled “A Stroke of Art,” gave a brief introduction to the program sponsored by the American Heart Association in support of stroke victims and persons with disabilities.
“It was a wonderful evening of family, friends and supporters of the arts and Wailoa,” said center administrator Codie King. “We invite everyone to stop by and view the exhibits, which will all run until Wednesday, June 27.”
Wailoa Art & Cultural Center is administered by the Division of State Parks, Department of Land and Natural Resources. It is free and opened to the public Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Wednesday from noon to 4:30 p.m. For additional information, please call 933-0416 or email wailoa@yahoo.com.