Hawaii’s newest museum opens next month with a daylong festival of
culture and the arts in downtown Honolulu.
Located in a classic 1928 Spanish-Mission style building, the
Hawaii State Art Museum celebrates its grand opening on Nov. 3. Its
inaugural exhibition, “Enriched by Diversity: The Art of Hawaii,”
includes 360 works in a variety of media by 284 Hawaii artists.
Admission to the museum is free. The exhibit depicts the
expressions of Hawaii artists from the 1940s to the present.
“Hawaii’s unique multicultural legacy is reflected in the
museum’s inaugural exhibition,” said Lisa Yoshihara, acting
director of the Hawaii State Art Museum. “Here, visitors can
experience Hawaii’s history, people, traditions, values,
environment and current affairs through the eyes, hands and hearts
of our artists.”
First-Day Festivities
On opening day, entry to the museum will be by timed ticket to
keep waiting in line to a minimum.
In conjunction with the opening of the museum, clients can
attend the Celebrate Culture and the Arts Festival from 9 a.m. to 4
p.m.
As part of the opening festivities, many of the historic and
cultural attractions in downtown Honolulu are offering free
admission. Trolleys are providing roundtrip transportation from
various galleries and points of interest.
Opening day festivities include hands-on arts activities, music
and dance performances and food booths on the grounds of the new
museum and the State Capitol.
Clients can see the offices of Hawaii’s governor and lieutenant
governor, tour the Hawaii Theatre, learn the history of the
Honolulu Police Department, stroll through the basement galleries
of Iolani Palace, take guided or docent-led tours of the Judiciary
History Center, visit the Vietnam Veterans memorial and see
Washington Place, home of Hawaii’s governor.
Children can face-paint, participate in interactive crafts and
swim at the YWCA.
Demonstrations of glass blowing, raku, watercolors and
printmaking will be offered.
Plans are under way to create a visitor center on the first
floor of the museum. The visitor center will eventually include a
ticket and information kiosk, a 70-seat orientation/education
auditorium, a volunteer room, a gift shop, a kitchen and a cafe.
Enhancements are scheduled for completion by spring 2004.
Yoshihara said the museum will be promoted with help from the
Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and Oahu Visitors Bureau.
Museum brochures are available at all of Hawaii’s major hotels.
The new Hawaii State Art Museum is the second largest art
gallery in Hawaii, following the Honolulu Academy of Arts. On the
second floor of the building, which originally served as the Armed
Forces YMCA, 12,000 square feet of space has been converted to
public galleries.
A 2,000-square-foot sculpture lobby serves as the entrance to
the museum. The 4,000-square-foot Ewa Gallery and 6,000-square-foot
Diamond Head Gallery flank the lobby.
Call 808-586-0900.
Web site: www.sate.hi. us/sfca.