Our local art community exposes us to a tremendous level of creativity each year. With the Honolulu Museum of Art, the university and community colleges, the spaces of Chinatown and the literal street art of Kakaako, to name just some of the sites, the public is afforded a range of artistic experiences.
A part of experiencing art is bringing it into our personal spaces, and the holidays are prime time to go art shopping, as galleries assemble small-works shows that make it affordable for ordinary folks to start their own collections. Depending on where you go, you can select works from a who’s who of Hawaii’s top-tier artists or enjoy pieces by members of an art club, school or art therapy class.
Here are some options:
>> Art School Holiday Sale (through Tuesday, Honolulu Museum of Art School): The Honolulu Museum of Art School runs studios for metalwork, ceramics, glass fusion and weaving, and students sell their pieces to help finance these costly operations. Find one-of-a-kind items in ceramics, glass and textiles. New items are added daily. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, 1111 Victoria St., 532-8700.
• At Spalding House Cafe through December, at Honolulu Museum of Art’s Makiki campus, receive a gift note with every meal. Validate it at the shop to receive a little treat, free gift or additional shopping discount. Cafe hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays and noon to 2 p.m. Sundays, 2411 Makiki Heights Drive. Reservations: 237-5225.
• At the main museum, at 900 S. Beretania St., peruse the Museum Shop, where you’ll find art prints and posters, stationery, unique jewelry and more. Open during museum hours, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays, 532-8703.
>> Leeward Community College Ceramics Club sale (9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Leeward campus fronting the library): At 96-045 Ala Ike St. Call 455-0371.
>> 16th Annual Art from the Heart (5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific): Works by local artists and patients who take part in the REHAB Creative Arts Program. Includes paintings, ceramics, ikebana and more. Sales benefit the program and the artists. 226 N. Kuakini St., 566-3451.
>> Glass + Ceramics Holiday Sale (Thursday to Dec. 6, Commons Gallery, University of Hawaii art building): Pieces by the students of the University of Hawaii at Manoa Department of Art + Art History. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 2535 McCarthy Mall, 956-5258 or email rlmills@hawaii.edu.
>> “A Christmas Fantasy” (Dec. 11 to 13, Gallery ‘Iolani at Windward Community College): Arts and crafts by students and members of the community, including prints, paintings, photographs, fiber art, jewelry and more. Part of proceeds benefits the gallery. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 45-720 Keaahala Road, 235-1218 or 638-3221.
>> Studio Sale at Hawaii Potters’ Guild (9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 12, 2480 Bingham St.): Handmade plates, bowls and more. Call 941-8108 or visit hawaiipottersguild.org.
>> “The Art of Peace” (through Dec. 13, Pegge Hopper Gallery): Some 50 artists’ works are for sale in a benefit for the Domestic Violence Action Center. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, 1164 Nuuanu Ave., 524-1160.
>> “Mixed Media Miniature 18” (through Dec. 16, Koa Gallery at Kapiolani Community College): More than 180 works by 120 top artists in all media. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Call 734-9374.
>> “Matchbox Plus XI” (through Jan. 3, Second Floor @ Cedar Street Galleries): 2-D and 3-D works in all media by more than 100 top local artists. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, 817 Cedar St., 589-1580 or cedarstreetgalleries.com (show is available to see online).
>> Louis Pohl Gallery (through Jan. 8): The gallery will feature “This and That Ceramics” by Hawaii Potters’ Guild, new works by painter Sanit Khewhok and tea bowl paintings by Lauren Okano. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, 1142 Bethel St., 521-1812.
>>”Small Works, Big Show” (through Jan. 8, Kauai Society of Artist Gallery): Original 2-D and 3-D works that are no larger than 16-by-16-by-16-inches in size. 11 a.m to 5 p.m. every day except Fridays, when gallery is open until 8 p.m., at Kukui Grove Center in Lihue, 3-2600 Kaumaulii Highway. Email artinkauai@gmail.com or visit kauaisocietyofartists.org.
