Wearable art will be the focus of Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center's second annual Jewelry as Fashion luncheon from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The intimately chic luncheon consists of a fully choreographed, emceed fashion show, music, a gourmet lunch, and a gallery exhibition exclusively featuring jewelry created by Hui artists in the Hui's newly renovated Ginny and Art McCoy Jewelry Studio. In addition, some of Maui's most prominent jewelry artists will gather at the center to showcase their latest work and talk about their process and inspiration.
The muse inspiring the live fashion show and extravagantly playful occasion is Russian-born French artist and designer Erte, best remembered for the elaborate costumes and stage sets that he designed, reflecting his taste for the exotic and romantic. An art deco setting will complement choreographer Andre Morisette's work as his models exhibit original pieces of fine jewelry on one of four runways.
Article Photos
Artist:?Tom Calhoun
"We are delighted to continue this program offering Hui jewelers a unique opportunity to exhibit their work in a dynamic, chic environment while integrating an educational component through which they can talk about their latest pieces," says Caroline Killhour, director of Hui No'eau.
She adds, "Last year we welcomed parents looking for something special for their new graduates, families browsing for Mother's Day, collectors looking to expand, and faces new and old to the Hui. Jewelry as Fashion truly offers something for everyone."
Seating is very limited. Tickets and details are available by calling 572-6560 or online at www.huinoeau.com. The center is located at 2841 Baldwin Ave. in Makawao.
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selected artists:
* Julie Matheis earned her bachelor's degree in Jewelry & Metalsmithing at the Rhode Island School of Design. Since then she has shown her award-winning work internationally through exhibitions, magazines and books. She also has a tropical collection available at various island stores. Matheis is passionate about sharing her knowledge of metals through teaching at the Hui and has taught at Lillstreet Art Center and Artful Gatherings in Chicago.
"I enjoy introducing various materials into my work because of their tactile qualities and associative implications," she says. "The reconfiguration of pre-existing objects proposes a more intimate and poetic dialogue, with open interpretations."
* Maui goldsmith and master jewelry designer David L. Welty is an international award-winning artist in precious metals. Welty teaches jewelry design at the Hui and has been a practicing goldsmith for more than 25 years. His made-on-Maui creations have a distinctive style and a classic look and are enjoyed by jewelry patrons around the world.
* A featured Hui teaching artist since 1982, J.B. Rea has been producing jewelry and hollowware for more than 30 years. Educated and trained in the tradition of fine European silversmiths, Rea brings the past to the present with his virtuosity as a craftsman. He began his design education with a bachelor's degree in fine arts in Industrial Design at the University of Illinois. He later earned a master's of fine arts in silversmithing at the Rochester Institute of Technology School for American Craftsman.
* Raised on Maui along with her three older brothers, Tatiana Howard is an avid windsurfer and self-proclaimed "water addict," regularly surfing, kite surfing, and tow-in surfing. Currently a student at University of Hawaii, she works to achieve a balance between her education, sports and to "just be creative with good energy."
"I am really excited that a piece of jewelry that I made was chosen to be a part of this upcoming jewelry exhibition and show held at the Hui," she says. "This is my first time entering into an art exhibition and I have to say it feels pretty good when you're accepted."
