A Wyland gallery returns

KILAUEA — A mother of six keiki opened a gallery to make a living in Florida 20 years ago, with a dream of one day opening a Wyland gallery on the North Shore of Kaua‘i.

Joanne Higgins, owner of Wyland Gallery Kaua‘i, and daughter Sarah Jane Koehne, the gallery administrator, are having a two-day grand opening event on Friday and Saturday, July 30 and 31, at ‘Ahuimanu shopping center in Kilauea.

“I signed my lease about five and a half years ago,” Higgins said. “I had to wait for the place to be built. And, finally, it was built. So it was a long wait. I’m very excited to be selling beautiful art again.”

There are seven artists that Higgins represents. However, she said her main artist is Robert Wyland. He will be doing a live painting show at the grand opening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

“It feels great to have Wyland galleries back on Kaua‘i,” Wyland said. “A few years ago, I had a chance to restore my ‘Whaling Wall’ mural in Kapa‘a, and now we’re celebrating the grand opening of a new gallery on the Garden Island. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again, including my good friend Ron Wiley. I will be painting live and unveiling my newest paintings and sculptures.”

Wyland started the Wyland Foundation in 1993, which supports clean oceans and water ways, and he funds school programs to teach kids about clean oceans, teaching them how to keep the oceans a little better for future generations.

“So that’s definitely something we want all the residents to come to and support,” Koehne said. “They can watch him paint live.”

The gallery is an open space filled with details of watercolor, acrylic or oil paintings, and other art pieces.

“They’re going to be viewing beautiful bronze tables by Wyland,” Higgins said. “Wyland is an amazing sculptor as well as a painter. And there is just a really nice vibe in the gallery.”

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Stephanie Shinno, education and business reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com.