LIHUE — Robert Goldberg said Sunday that he thinks his family has started a new Mother’s Day tradition.
“This is a nice space,” Goldberg said at the Mother’s Day reception hosted by the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School art teachers at the Kauai Society of Artists gallery.
“Two of my daughters had art from Kristi Gibbs and Tim Saunders. This is a nice time to come and see the pieces they worked on, especially because they have donuts. I think we may have started a new family tradition.”
Gibbs, one of the three CKMS art teachers, said the donuts were through a Kauai Island Utility Cooperative grant, and also ties in with the Donut Wall where students created two donuts — one which they could part with and sell, and the other for them to keep.
“We’ll be doing the art sale a little later,” Gibbs said. “There is nothing worse than having a volunteer let go the wrong piece.”
Leslie Frasier, a CKMS art instructor, said this is the second year the trio of teachers have teamed together for the art show.
“Last year, we had more than a hundred people come through the Mother’s Day reception,” Frasier said. “Kristi has been doing it longer than we have. She was by herself when she started this four years ago. Now, we’re three, and we’re not planning on going anywhere.”
Saunders was lamenting the loss of one of the students to Kamehameha Schools next year.
“Look at her piece,” Saunders said. “She had a premonition. The letter being held by her owl is her acceptance letter to Kamehameha Schools.”
Endraej Kaluahine was modest.
“Harry Potter had owls in his stories,” she said. “I thought I would do a pueo based on the Harry Potter stories.”
Goldberg said he loved how CKMS Principal Debra Badua has expanded the art offering at the school. “Two of the girls have gone through the art program,” he said. “They love it.”
The fourth annual student art showcase continues this week at the gallery in Kukui Grove Center, ending Friday. Hours are from noon to 6 p.m. on weekdays and Friday until 8 p.m.
