Local News

 

 

VSA Hawai‘i, in partnership with University of Hawaii College of Education, received a National Endowment for Arts grant to continue its high school creative and cultural industry apprenticeship project for youth in transition.

For more information about how to participate in “Hawaii Arts@Work,” contact VSA Hawaii at 808-295-0659, email mail@vsartshawaiipacific.org


“Hawaii Arts@Work” includes collaborations with the Hawaii State Art Museum, the Honolulu Academy of Arts, the Art Center at Linekona, the Hawaii Department of Human Services (DVR and BESSD) and the Department of Education.

In the NEA category, “Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth,” VSA Hawaii continues its youth in transition campaign titled “Hawaii Arts@Work” — a fine arts and cultural crafts apprenticeship training program aimed at matching high school students with master artists to advance professional career training.

The youth in transition allows students to earn elective credit. It is a high-level museum education and professional studio training projected aligned with the Hawaii Department of Education and UH Center for Career and Technical Education.

“Hawaii Arts@Work” (HAW) aims to serve in-school youth (10th grade to one-year out of high school) with and without disabilities who live on Oahu as well as unserved and underserved areas.

The “Call for Application” began in July 15, 2010. Deadline to apply is August 25. In Youth artist candidate interviews and orientation are Aug. 30. Classes are slated to begin in October 2010 (see attached call for application).

Over the course of the HAW one-year training, working under the tutelage of master artists, apprentices will show increased levels of appreciation, knowledge and understanding and skills in visual arts creation and commercial production, based on the application of national arts education.

ABOUT THE APPRENTICESHIP: Selected Youth Artists will participate in museum education and studio education intensives at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, Honolulu Academy of Arts, Hawaii State Art Museum, and Academy Art Center at Linekona. Education visits are planned to Bishop Museum and the Contemporary Museum.

AMHD-VSA Hawai‘i Offer

Introduction to Supported
Self-Employment in a
Fine Arts Production Studio

Academy of Art Center at Linekona

June 1-Sept. 30, 2010
2:30-7 p.m. • Monday-Friday



•    Creative Development in Fine Art and Cultural Craft
•    Start-to-Finish Production Technical Assistance
•    Retail Sales and Wholesale Marketing at “Made In Hawai‘i”
•    Small Group and/or Individual Projects — Self Paced Project
•    Drawing, Painting, Weaving and Sewing (looms, Lauhala), Ceramics (handbuilding/press molds), Block printing


Appointments and Registration (AMHD referral required)
Contact Kathleen O’Bryan 469-6651 • obryanstudio@gmail.com
Breaking Barriers Studio 202@Linekona • 1111 Victoria Street, HI 96814

Partners: Department of Health AMHD, Transformation Grant; University of Hawaii Center on Disability Studies, Hawaii Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG), Hawaii Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) • VSA Hawaii is funded in part Hawaii Department of Health, Department Human Services DVR and by VSA International, an affiliate of John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

 

Young Playwright Discovery Summer Festival

( July 11 matinee is ASL and audio described)

TAG (The Actors Group), in partnership with VSA Hawaii and the University of Hawaii Center on Disability Studies (MIG) announces "Opening Night" of the Hawaii Young Playwright Discovery Summer Festival, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. June 30, 2010.
 
 Four plays were written, directed and acted by Hawaii high school students with and without disabilities. Each of the four plays has a theme that includes some aspect of disability. TAG mentors provided professional training to 30 students with and without disabilities in all aspects of theatre industry.
 
 "VSA, TAG and University of Hawaii joined forces to bring an inclusive professional theatre training opportunity for youth in transition seeking serious career preparation in the arts," VSA Hawaii executive director Kathleen O'Bryan said.
 
 Each year, young artists with and without disabilities are encourage to submit their plays with disability themes for a chance to have their work performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. TAG and VSA decided to stage the Hawaii plays. 
 
 This is the first time a Hawaii community theatre has worked with youth in transition with and without disabilities in an apprenticeship type format. This is the first time TAG has staged written by young playwrights that contain themes related to disability.  
 
 http://www.taghawaii.net/YoungPlaywrightFestivalParticipants.html>
   
 WHAT: 2010 Summer Playwrights Discovery Festival
 

WHERE: TAG - The Actors Theatre  (Hawaii Capitol Art District)
 1116 Smith Street, Honolulu
 
 WHEN: Opening Night: Wednesday, June 30, 2010
 Closing Night: Sunday, July 11, 2010 (Sign Language Interpreted)
 
 Show Times: Wednesday-Saturday June 30- July 10, 2010, 6:30 p.m.
 Tickets:Three Plays/Cost $10
 
 Order Tickets <http://www.taghawaii.net/OrderTicketsFestival.html
    
 All Four Play Matinee
 July 11, 2 p.m., Sunday
 COST: Four Plays - $15
 NO shows on Sunday, July 4
 
 1. Invalidation
 Written & directed by Samuel Spengler & Jackson Shimanoff
 
 2. Play in Progress
 Written & directed by Kelley Mitchell
 
 3. Exceptional Hearing
 Written & directed by Aliyah Flowe
 
 4. The Honu and the Hare, a Hawaiian Parable
 Written by VSA Hawaii Waianae GED Prep students
 Directed by Kelly Cazinha
 
 About the Plays <http://www.taghawaii.net/YoungPlaywrightFestivalPlays.html
 
About TAG
TAG is one of Hawaii's top community theatric organization, and is based in the Honolulu Arts District on Smith Street. The Young Playwrights Discovery Theatre is TAG's first effort in youth theatre with adult mentors working with youth in all aspects of theatre including actors, playwrights with and without disabilities.


“BE ORIGINAL” Refuting STIGMA AGAINST PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS - Ends May 11 at Linekona



The Arts Center at Linekona in Honolulu joins the University of Hawaii Center on Disability Studies, VSA Hawaii and the Department of Health Adult Mental Health Division (AMHD) in staging a statewide juried exhibit for artists willing to use their artwork to make a statement to combat discrimination against people with mental illness.

Forty visual artists will show work in the Sixth Annual Breaking Barriers exhibit, April 20-May 11, 2010, at the Honolulu Academy of Arts Center at Linekona. Linekona Center Alban Cooper designed and installed the show.

An opening reception is Friday, 5:30-7:30 p.m. April 23, at Linekona, 1111 Victoria St., in Honolulu.

“For the past six years, the goal of “Breaking the Barriers” has remained the same — to showcase the diversity of two- and three-dimensional visual pieces by artists united to promote the end of negative stigma toward mental illness,” said Philippe L. Gross, Ph.D., of AMHD to founder of the exhibit.

“We continue the education campaign to eliminate discrimination against adults and youth with mental illness. The exhibit emphasizes the human dimension, which we’ve found is the best way to show creativity and the arts.”

Public opinion about mental illness has been negatively skewed by sensationalized coverage of tragic events involving people with mental illness. As a result, people with mental illness can be too ashamed to seek treatment and those already in treatment are often further ostracized.

For more information or comments, please contact Philippe L. Gross, Ph.D., (AMHD philippe.gross@doh.hawaii.gov), Kathleen O’Bryan (VSA Hawaii Executive Director obryanstudio@gmail.com), Susan Miller (UH Center on Disability Studies, millers@hawaii.edu)





100 x 100

Be a Part of Something Big!



A Unique Sale of Original Art that

Makes Collectors of Everyone!


2010 Pacific Rim Conference at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu


100 x 100 All Original, All Affordable

(100 pieces of art for under $100 each)


VSA Hawaii


Call for Creative Art and Cultural Crafts of Hawaii Artists with Disabilities


Hawaii is made up of many cultures and unique environments and its artwork tells the many stories of our communities and the aina. Now you can become a collector of original art made in Hawaii by emerging and master artists with disabilities.

VSA Hawaii is seeking the diverse two- and three dimensional arts and cultural crafts by Hawaii artists with disabilities to exhibit and sell for two days at the Pacific Rim Conference, April 12-13, 2010, at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu.

Hawaii artists with disabilities interested in submitting up to five (5) pieces of work to sell for under $100, contact Kathleen O’Bryan at 808-469-6651, obryanstudio@gmail.com.


Drop off April 5-9, 2010: at VSA Hawaii at the Linekona Center at the Honolulu Academy of Arts 1111 Victoria St., Diamond Head end of Thomas Square.

VSA International in Washington D.C., is an nonprofit organization founded 35 years ago by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where people with disabilities learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts. VSA arts provides educators, parents, and artists with resources and the tools to support arts programming in schools and communities.


VSA Hawaii showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased access to the arts for all people. Each year, 7 million people participate in VSA arts’ programs through a nationwide network of affiliates and in 54 countries around the world. VSA arts is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

 

Prince Jonah Kuhio Day Lau Hala Weaving

Native Hawaiian Cultural Products

March 25-28, 2010



First-time weavers receive a manuwahi – a free lau hala kit for weaving a bracelet, bookmark, or star. Additional materials fees for Lau Hala kits range from $15 to $60. Kits are prepared by the weaving community through the kako`o from Na Mea Hawai`i.

Participate in a hands-on lauhala experience; learn about gathering, cleaning, and rolling Hawaiian lau hala, to preparing, stripping and weaving it. All levels of experience are welcome; everyone can learn to weave!


VSA Arts Hawaiii-Pacific at Linekona A group of Hawaii’s renowned kumu lauhala (expert teachers), Aunty Gwen Kamisugi, Aunty Gladys Grace, and their long-time weavers will gather with you at the Academy Art Center at Linekona.

They will introduce students to the values of ho‘ohanohano (honoring culture with pride and care), aloha (respect and care for each other), malama aina (care of place and resources). All are living aspects of what is learned in the weaving of lau hala. We weave to create relationships and understanding of Hawaiian cultural traditions, knowledge, resources and place.


In the not-so-distant past, weaving the leaves (lau) of the Hala Tree was a traditional practice in most Hawaiian families. Weaving was a way to create objects of beauty for every day living as well as things of wealth, exchange and offerings. The lessons learned through the weaving of lau hala reinforce deeper cultural values, ones that are being embraced and cherished once again by the Hawaiian community and the people of Hawaii.


Novice, intermediate and veteran weavers may come by any time during the four days for a half or full day of weaving, sharing prepared meals and relaxing conversation with new and old friends. New and returning weavers will be able to finish a simple lau hala project in a session or two. For those looking for more involved weaving projects, the commitment of the longer immersion weekend

will bring them the reward of a hat, purse or mat as well as the embrace of a portion of community of lau hala aficionado.


Shorter lau hala projects include making bracelets, earrings, turtles, bookmarks, placemats and baskets. The kumu will help you get started on a weaving project that is geared to the amount of time you have available to weave, and your prior weaving experiences. Advanced projects include: hats, round mats and piko purses.

Mission Statement

The mission of VSA arts of Hawaii-Pacific is to promote awareness of the value of arts in the daily lives of people with disabilities, and to foster opportunities for the full inclusion and participating in all the arts by youth and adults with disabilities, especially the unserved and under-served in Hawaii and the outer Pacific.


Learn about the Hawaii Artists Cooperative


Cafe Tutu Mango Link

Events & Activities

Hawaii Island
guitarist Harlan Lee
performs at venues
in East Hawaii and Kona.
Lee toured with Ricki Lee Jones



 
NEW!
VSA Hawaii at the Honolulu Academy Spring 2010

Adult Literacy Through the Arts
Tue, Thu, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.


A classroom/studio setting designed to engage learners who have various disabilities and need multiple means of engagement in reading, writing, math, science and social studies, and GED preparation. By using hands-on arts education with other strategies, such as Universal Design for
Learning, students learn to view language arts, employment and life skills, visual art making and journalism as learning projects.

Hawaii Arts@Work—CTE (DOE Career and Technical Education Pathways)
Mon, Wed, Fri, 9 a.m.-1p.m., 12-week session, $360

Novice and intermediate art survey class for high school students with disabilities who are transitioning to advanced instruction, internship, apprenticeship and/or employment in the creative arts industries. Class will include media exploration, production projects and work-skills development.

Studio 202 – Professional Development
Mon, Wed, Fri, 1:30-4:30 p.m. (on-going)
$360 for 12 weeks

Providing artists with physical, mental or intellectual disabilities a supported open studio to develop professional skills including production, marketing, technical assistance and business management.

Gordon Sasaki Workshop in Studio 202
April 14-16, 2010 9 a.m.-1p.m., 3-day workshop, $120

A wheelchair user since a 1982 automobile accident, Gordon brings to his workshops a unique combination of personal insight, academic training and more than 20 years of experience working with special needs populations. With an emphasis on the creative process in his art and teaching approach, he uses the inherent universal qualities of the arts to adapt lesson plans to individual needs.

Through his workshops he presents alternative teaching strategies for the classroom, using multi-sensory, inclusive formats, and universal design for learning that addresses the needs of all students. With an emphasis on creating practical and inclusive lesson plans in a noncompetitive and fun learning environment. This workshop will enhance the art making experience for all art students, teachers, and teaching artists. Gordon Sasaki is a teaching artist at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

For information or to register for VSA Hawaii programs, call 469-6651 or visit the VSA Hawaii office in Room 202 of the Academy Art Center. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

BIG MAC
An event focused on transition planning start for my child
including what services are available after your child
leaves High School

 
DATE:  Wednesday, February 10, 2010
TIME:   4:30 – 7 p.m.
PLACE: Wailuku Community Center
 
For students with an Individualized Education Plan and their families
 FREE Transition Planner
 
Come, learn and develop a transition plan for your child.  Learn about guardianship,
transportation, employment, and how to obtain a State I.D. as well as finding out about
other resources and services in our local community.
 
Co-sponsored by Nursefinders, HiloPa’a Project, Hawaii Families As Allies,
Easter Seals, Best Buddies, Quality Behavioral Outcomes, Kokua Villa,
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Workforce Development/Work Source
Maui, Hawaii Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (Hawaii MIG), University of
Hawaii Center on Disability Studies, VSA arts of Hawaii-Pacific.