With warmest winter wishes and happiest holiday greetings, Volcano Art Center welcomes everyone to its annual Christmas in the Country celebration starting today with an opening reception and the Invitational Wreath Exhibit that continues through Jan.2, 2017. ADVERTISING With warmest
With warmest winter wishes and happiest holiday greetings, Volcano Art Center welcomes everyone to its annual Christmas in the Country celebration starting today with an opening reception and the Invitational Wreath Exhibit that continues through Jan.2, 2017.
This year’s Christmas in the Country promises an abundance of art and aloha to kick start the holiday season.
Every year, beginning the Friday before Thanksgiving, VAC Gallery in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park creates a merry scene of an old-fashioned Christmas inside its 1877 historic building. In addition to the exquisite artwork the Volcano Art Center has become known for showcasing year-round, there are unique holiday offerings of island-inspired gifts, ornaments and decorations made by Hawaii Island artists, including some VAC exclusives.
The concurrent 17th annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit presents one-of-a-kind wreaths in a variety of imaginative media, techniques and styles, from whimsical to traditional.
“Those looking for truly original wreaths as well as one of a kind, handmade gift items will not be disappointed by the selection created by our local artistic community, ” says gallery manager Emily C. Weiss.
As in years past, Christmas in the Country begins with a free, exclusive members-only preview party from 5:30-8 p.m. today at the gallery, featuring a fresh lineup of artists hosting special events throughout each weekend. Enjoy complimentary gourmet pupus, mulled cider and champagne, prize drawings and a membership discount. Not a member? Joining is easy and secure — online or at the door upon arrival.
Hours for the Christmas in the Country celebration are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, Saturday through Nov. 27 at the VAC Gallery. The Invitational Wreath Exhibit is from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, Saturday through Jan. 2, 2017, at the gallery.
Other celebration events include a presentation by na kumu hula Leilehua Yuen and Manu Josiah from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday as part of the center’s Hula Kahiko series. They are well-known for their “informances,” in which storytelling, science, chant and hula are blended to create a journey through Hawaiian history and culture.
From 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, there will be a print and book-signing with artist Caren Loebel-Fried. Come celebrate the release of Loebel-Fried’s newest woodblock design, “Kilauea Point.” This piece was created by Loebel-Fried for the Kilauea Point Natural History Association to support environmental education programs, wildlife conservation projects and maintenance of the Daniel K. Inouye Kilauea Point Lighthouse.
Also Sunday is a lamp-working demonstration from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the gallery by Nash Adams-Pruitt. Come witness glass ornaments created before your eyes. Using a torch to melt rods of glass, once in a molten state the glass is then formed by shaping with tools and hand movements.
All of the events are free; park entrance fees may apply.
For information about other Christmas in the Country programs, visit volcanoartcenter.org.
