In a collective effort to promote local art and inspire one another to greater artistic heights, 12 Kaua‘i women joined forces to create an informal support group, Women Artists of Kaua‘i. Saturday will be WAK’s inaugural event at the National
In a collective effort to promote local art and inspire one another to greater artistic heights, 12 Kaua‘i women joined forces to create an informal support group, Women Artists of Kaua‘i. Saturday will be WAK’s inaugural event at the National Tropical Botanical Garden’s First Annual Art Festival and Solstice Celebration from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Po‘ipu Visitors Center. Oils, pastels, sculpture and glass are among the medium included in the festival. There will be demonstrations throughout the day, live music from noon to 2 p.m., face painting and food booths.
When Marionette Taboniar and Schar Freeman met on-line through an art discussion board the two West Side residents realized a shared vision of uniting women artists throughout the island.
“For years I’ve talked up starting a group like this,” Freeman said. “Artists in general have a challenge marketing their art. It’s my vision to help other artists and to educate shop and gallery owners.”
Between Freeman’s passion for marketing and Taboniar’s computer skills, the two women were able to create a virtual artists colony on-line where they post current work, discuss their craft and offer sisterly support. Taboniar is a full-time artist who teaches from her studio, Painting in Paradise, in Waimea. Her work is primarily painted silk and acrylic on canvas. Freeman specializes in landscapes and women of Native American and Hawaiian descent. WAK launched in fall, 2008.
“We’re a group of women getting together to find ways to bring our art to the public,” Taboniar said. “Our goal is to network and socialize.”
Aside from being a woman, requirements for membership include being a full-time resident of Kaua‘i and a fine artist producing new and original work within the last three years.
Artists at the event include Schar Freeman, Marionette Taboniar, Emily Miller, Rocky Riedel, Aweepano Vivian Satow, Dava Shepherd, Anna Skaradzinska, Eve Solomon, Helen Turner and Jana Viles.
There’s a philanthropic side to the group as well. All proceeds raised from the original artwork silent auction will be donated to the garden’s learning center and research facility.
“We’re available as a group for other fundraisers,” Taboniar said. “We want to raise awareness around art and art education.”
Any non-profit organization can invite WAK to a fundraiser where the group will host art demonstrations and sell Kaua‘i made art.
“We donate part of our proceeds to the charity,” she said. “These are additional funds that can be raised for any organization.”
Demonstrations scheduled for tomorrow’s event include acrylic and mixed media painting; silk painting, pastels and carving wall plaques. NTBG’s volunteer craft group, Oshibana, will also be selling their hand-crafted products. Admission to the event is free.
To learn more about the group visit, womenartistsofkauai.org or call Marionette Taboniar, 631-9173.
Want to go?
What: First Annual Art Festival
When: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: National Tropical
Botanical Garden, Po‘ipu
Cost: Free
