Terry Klerlein: Winner of Best of Show and People’s Choice Award

Artists of all ages from all over Molokai showcased their work at the 7th Annual Molokai Arts Center Member Show last Wednesday, September 26th. Artists and art enthusiasts enjoyed ceramic pieces, paintings, jewelry, and other medium. Beautiful flowers from Kalani and Joanie Pruet, arranged in vases by Dan Bennett adorned the room while Norm DeCosta and Friends shared ono Hawaiian music. The MAC’s digital video premiered produced by Matt Yamashita which documented MAC Artist in Residence through the making of “Molokai Windows,” an exhibit that ran from April through September at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Kanoelani Davis, MAC’s Hawaiian Arts (HA) Program Director, introduced artists Apo Aquino (Fishnet Making/Macrame), Kini Burke and Kimo McPherson (Native Hawaiian Tools and Weapons) who displayed their wares.

Awards were presented at the end of the night. Keiki Awards were presented to Taua Lima-English, Most Uplifting Award for “Frame of Love”; Keawe Koko Chong, Most Imaginative Award for “Lion’s Den”; Hokuau Horswill-Carroll, Best Genre Art Award for “‘Ohana Slippers Everywhere”; Makaihuwa’a Wetzel, Most Dynamic Award for “Fish and Squid Meeting”; Lehua Wetzel, Most Tranquil Award for “The Beach”; Kailiah Chong, Most Expressive Award for “Jewel”; Kindy Sproat, Emerging Artist Award for “The Fern Printing”; and Bailey Sproat, Most Quintessential Award for “Sun Kissed Leaf.” Each keiki received a Kamoi Snack N Go gift certificate, medal, and trophy.

Juror Alison Beste, MAC’s current Artist in Residence, selected the College Student Award and Best in Show Award. The first, with a $50 cash prize and free studio membership for one year, was awarded to Hoku Horswill-Carroll for “Ceramics Ipu.” The latter, with a $250 cash prize was presented to Terry Klerlein for “Pāulu ‘Ino”. Klerlein also won a $250 cash prize for the People’s Choice Award for that same piece. Paula Scott was the recipient of the $100 Board of Directors Emerging Artist Award for “Dog Gone It.” Scott, Board Member of the Hawaii Craftsmen, presented one-year memberships to Madison Zeller for “Plato’s Planter” and Bob Benson for “Mini Calabash with Reef Fish” and “Poi Bowl with Lid.” All art work juried into this year’s show is on exhibit at the Molokai Public Library until October 10.

The Molokai Arts Center would like to thank all the artists who participated, April Maddela, Kanoelani Dudoit, Kalani & Joanie Pruet, Norman DeCosta & Friends, Maricel Kanemitsu, Cres Cabael, Elizabeth Merkel, Matt Yamashita, Dorothy Donaldson, Lil Macmillan, Mark Scott, Iolani Hamakua & ‘O Hina I Ka Malama, Apo Aquino, Kini Burke, Kimo McPherson, Amber Keoho, Misty Mollena, Madi Zeller, Eric Swenson, Anne Steinke, Alison Beste, and the MAC Board of Directors whose commitment to the MAC keep visual and performing arts alive on Molokai.

Kanoelani Davis, MAC’s Hawaiian Arts (HA) Program Director, introduced artists Apo Aquino (Fishnet Making/Macrame), Kini Burke and Kimo McPherson (Native Hawaiian Tools and Weapons) who displayed their wares.