‘Year of the Horse, an Art Celebration’ opens with stampede

Astampede through Wailoa Art and Cultural Center in Hilo on Feb. 7 launched this month’s “Year of the Horse, an Art Celebration with Jane &Linus Chao and Friends.”

More than 500 art lovers turned out for the opening reception that evening.

The Chaos and some of their artist friends, many of whom studied with the couple for decades, present a big show at Wailoa every other year. This one goes through Feb. 27 and includes spectacular works by 21 local artists in traditional Chinese silk painting and western-style multimedia artworks.

This year’s art exhibit features new works by the Chaos, Christyl Bilyeu, Grace Chao, Harry Char, Allan Grapard, Judy Haraguchi, Myra Hiraki, Marge Kanemitsu, Tadayuki Kiso, Marian Kuruhara, Janet Matsuo, Clytie Mead, Monique Pourny, Karen Schuster, Annette Sumada, Aimee Takamoto, Rose Togashi, Geri Tolchin, Jane Ueno and Sybille Von Fircks.

Artist participant Harry Char began painting with Linus Chao 40 years ago. He likes to paint a wide variety of subjects that reflect personal experiences and his love for the Big Island. Char said, “Linus Chao is an expert in Chinese history and culture, and is an exceptional art teacher and critic.”

Another dedicated artist, Rose Togashi, began taking art courses from Linus Chao at Hawaii Community College in 1988. She said, “I have grown as an artist through the eyes and philosophy of Linus and Jane Chao. They taught me to accept life’s events with ease and humbleness.”

Also at Wailoa this month, in the downstairs Fountain Gallery, is a display of photos of downtown Hilo. Spanning several decades, the images are by photographer Norman Negre.

Admission is free and the Wailoa Art and Cultural Center is open to the public 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and noon-4:30 p.m. Wednesday. The center is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and state holidays.

For additional information, call 933-0416 or email wailoa@yahoo.com.