The Hawai’i Forest Industry Association (HFIA) recently announced the winners of the 2013 juried Hawaii’s Woodshow, Na La’au o Hawai’i. Five artisans from Hawaii Island returned with awards from the prestigious exhibition.
The Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association (HFIA) recently announced the winners of the 2013 juried Hawaii’s Woodshow, Na La‘au o Hawai‘i. 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.” 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 in 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 in 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.