WAIMEA AND KAPA‘A — Have you ever wondered about an artist’s creative process? Women Artists of Kaua‘i pulls back that curtain during its First Annual Women Artists of Kaua‘i Studio Tour this upcoming weekend.
The studio tour scheduled Feb. 25 and Feb. 26 is an opportunity for members of the public to meet artists, talk story and watch live demonstrations.
“I’m always looking for artists to connect with and ways to connect the community and art,” said Marionette Taboniar said, founder of Women Artists of Kaua‘i. “It’s a great way to meet with artists. We are all unique. Everyone of us has different styles and mediums.”
The self-guided studio tour features artists from Princeville to Waimea, who work in a variety of mediums — including paint, ceramics, photography, sculpture and mixed-media.
In all, 11 artists will share their creative process at six different studios, with each studio offering a contrasting setting and experience for the viewer.
Visitors can enjoy Taboniar’s Waimea studio — which neighbors the ocean and Hawaiian church — or travel to a jungle escape at Leslie Hagen’s Wailua abode. Both Dawn Lundquist’s Princeville studio and Angela Headley’s gallery offer surprises behind their red doors, while Patrice Pendarvis’ studio is nestled in the heart of Kilauea.
Others might be surprised that across from Tip Top Cafe the Art House offers an eclectic mix of art, including photography, abstracts, collage and jewelry.
“People can plan their day around it,” said mixed-media painter Donia Lilly. “It’s letting people see our creative process, how we work and where we work. People can see another dimension of an artist and make that personal connection. It builds a community relationship with art and the people.”
Like previous events, a portion of the money raised will be donated to charity. In the studio tour’s case, 20 percent of all sales will be donated to the Zonta Club of Hanalei to help with its scholarship program.
“What I really like about Women Artists of Kaua‘i is that it’s an inexpensive way for us to donate to nonprofits and help the community,” said mixed-media artist Anna Skaradzinska, who will be displaying painted palms and reverse acrylic on Plexiglas creations at Taboniar’s studio.
In the past, Women Artists of Kaua‘i has raised money for Nana’s House, the YWCA, the National Tropical Botanical Garden and Hanapepe United Church of Christ’s free community lunch program.
Women Artists of Kaua‘i was established four years ago when Taboniar saw a need for an organization that would help female artists.
“They were all men,” Taboniar recalled. “The galleries were all men, the art groups were all men. I said, ‘What a second. We need something for women.’ Women have special challenges, too — we have families, we work. We needed a place to network and socialize.”
What started as an informal emailing list has blossomed into an organization with 22 members. The women help each other sponsor events while getting to know and raising money for the community.
“Personally, I think it is very important for artists to cooperate rather than compete with each other,” said Lilly, who spearheaded the Artists’ Studio Tour. “I’m always looking out for opportunities to share with fellow artists — be they visual artists, dancers, musicians, writers, etc. — because we each have our own unique creative ‘voice’ to share with the world, and stifling yours or someone else’s for whatever reason … doesn’t help anyone.”
The women hope that the studio tour will become one of the organization’s signature events, like their annual fine art festivals in Hanapepe and in Po‘ipu.
“We are just happy to do whatever we can. Art is very personal. With every opportunity we are building on what we’ve done in the past,” Taboniar said. “With this tour, there’s something for everyone.
Like other events, the studio tour will offer locally made art.
“It’s a chance to meet real life artists,” Leslie Hagen said.
“And all of the stories that come with it,” Lilian de Mello added with a laugh.
Women participating in the tour are Dawn Lundquist, Donia Lilly, Patrice Pendarvis, Leslie Hagen, Marlene Czajkowski, R. Eve Solomon, Lilian de Mello, Angela Headley, Caylin Spear, Anna Skaradzinksa and Marionette Taboniar.
Visit www.womenartistsofkauai.blogspot.com to download a map of the studio tour or learn more about Women Artists of Kaua‘i .
• Andrea Frainier, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681, ext. 257 or afrainier@ thegardenisland.com.
