Downtown Art Center First Friday Presents - DOWNTOWN ART CENTER PRESENTS ‘7 DEGREES NORTH: THE ARTS OF MICRONESIA,’

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Downtown Art Center First Friday Presents - DOWNTOWN ART CENTER PRESENTS ‘7 DEGREES NORTH: THE ARTS OF MICRONESIA,’
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Date: Friday - 7/7/2023
Time: 5:30 to 8 p.m
Location:
Downtown Art Center
1040 A Nuuana Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii 96717

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DOWNTOWN ART CENTER PRESENTS ‘7 DEGREES NORTH: THE ARTS OF MICRONESIA,’ ON VIEW JULY 5-27, 2023

Honolulu (June 2023) – Traditional and contemporary arts and crafts from the Pacific Islands will be on display at Honolulu’s Downtown Art Center (DAC) in July 2023.

“7 Degrees North – The Arts of Micronesia” will feature contemporary artwork by artists of Micronesian ancestry who live in Hawaiʻi; traditional handicraft that is part of a larger collection held by Hawaiʻi Pacific University; and photographs of the islands and people of Micronesia in the Northwest Pacific. The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, will be held in the Main Gallery at Downtown Art Center, located at 1041 Nuʻuanu Ave, on the second floor of Chinatown Gateway Plaza, from July 5 through 27.

There will be an Opening Reception for the show on First Friday, July 7 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The exhibit is believed to be the first one in Honolulu in three decades to focus on the arts and cultures of the Micronesian region. It is the first to highlight the work of contemporary artists of Micronesian ancestry who live in Hawaiʻi and were selected by a juror. Among those artists who will be featured are Lissette Yamase (also a juror) of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), a portrait artist who uses charcoal; Anthony Watson, a carver of Palauan ancestry; Eric Cano of Chuuk in the FSM, a graphic artist who designs Micronesian and Pacific Island-inspired clothing; and Carolann Carl, a poet and storyteller from Pohnpei in the FSM. The exhibition will also include a video, courtesy of Kumu Kahua Theatre, of the play "x Other: A Microstory" by Hawaiʻi playwright Daniel A. Kelin II, who spent many years in the Marshall Islands.

“The Micronesian community in Hawaiʻi, like earlier immigrants, faces economic and social challenges. And, unfortunately, prejudice and discrimination. We believe by sharing their rich cultures and showcasing the work of local artists of Micronesian ancestry, Downtown Art Center can help to make this community feel welcomed and better appreciated,” said Sandra Pohl, executive director of DAC.

In addition to the displays, the show will feature two live presentations. On Saturday, July 8, Dr. Jerome Feldman, an art historian and professor emeritus at Hawaiʻi Pacific University, will give a lecture on the arts of Micronesia. Two weeks later, on Saturday July 22, there will be a fashion show featuring traditional attire from the region. Both events will be held in DAC’s second-floor Main Gallery. Times for these events are yet to be confirmed.

“Micronesia” is a cultural and geographic term referring to independent island nations and two U.S. territories in the northwestern Pacific. The countries include the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia (which encompasses four states–Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae–and about 607 islands), Palau, Nauru, Kiribati, the U.S. territory of Guam, and the U.S. commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Work in the DAC exhibit comes primarily from the Marshall Islands, FSM, and Palau.

This exhibit is curated by Floyd K. Takeuchi and Margo Vitarelli. Takeuchi is a writer-photographer who was born and raised in the Marshall Islands. Vitarelli, also one of two jurors who selected the featured artists in the show, grew up primarily on Palau. The other juror was Lissette Yamase. Takeuchi and Vitarelli also took the photographs that illustrate the show.

“7 Degrees North” also marks the start of a year’s worth of special arts programming for DAC and the Micronesian community in Hawaiʻi. Much of the special events will be held in partnership with Rotary Clubs of Hawaiʻi.
Most of these events, including the “7 Degrees North” exhibit, are free and open to the public. Some of the special workshops, however, may require a nominal fee to participate in them.
For more information or to find out the latest events and exhibitions at Downtown Art Center, visit downtownarthi.org.

About the Downtown Art Center (DAC):
Located in the Chinatown Gateway Plaza building at 1041 Nuʻuanu Ave., Second Floor, the nonprofit Downtown Art Center is an evolving gallery and workshop space for Oʻahu's arts scene. DAC strives to become a thriving center for the arts by providing display space for local artists and art organizations, workshop classrooms, performances, and more. Support DAC and help it grow at donorbox.org/downtownartcenter!

Parking for DAC is located at nearby municipal parking lots (onsite at Chinatown Gateway Plaza, parking entrance off Bethel Street) or at Mark's Garage (entrance at 22 S. Pauahi St.). DAC is easily accessible by public transit as well; get directions, routes and timetables at www.thebus.org.
 

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First Friday Hawaii Event Calendar Item

Downtown Art Center First Friday Presents - DOWNTOWN ART CENTER PRESENTS ‘7 DEGREES NORTH: THE ARTS OF MICRONESIA,’

First Friday Hawaii
Event Calendar Item