The Hawaiian Islands are about to potentially see a new wave of local art acquisitions. Over the past two months, Art Acquisition Selection Committees (AASCs) have been scouring various exhibits across the islands, identifying pieces that might soon grace the public spaces of Hawaii. These nominated artworks, still pending approval from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) Board of Commissioners, could be new beacons of local culture adorning everything from public buildings to state offices.
According to Hawaii SFCA, among the exhibits visited by the AASCs, noteworthy stops included “Interisland” at The Art Gallery, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and “Art Kauaʻi 2025” at the KSA Gallery. But it's not just traditional art spaces that are getting attention; public appreciation for the arts is set to be enhanced through pieces from across the spectrum—be it the “Malama Wao Akua” exhibit in Maui or the ceramic explorations in Holualoa at the "Rhythms of Resonance" exhibit.
The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) says its Art in Public Places Program is designed to place new artworks in public spaces across Hawaiʻi. According to the agency, the program aims to make high-quality art accessible to residents and visitors while improving the visual environment of state buildings and facilities. The SFCA states that its mission includes enhancing public spaces, increasing awareness and appreciation of visual arts, and supporting the development and recognition of Hawaiʻi’s artistic community.
The collection will highlight a wide range of artistic styles, reflecting the different regions and cultural backgrounds of the Hawaiian Islands. This initiative aims to showcase the islands’ unique identity and multicultural heritage. According to the Hawaii SFCA, the goal is to “Acquire, interpret, preserve and display works of art expressive of the character of the Hawaiian Islands, the multicultural heritage of its people, and the various creative interests of its artists.”
Upcoming meetings will determine whether the Hawaii SFCA Board of Commissioners approves the committees’ nominations. If approved, the new artworks will be added to public spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy. One example of the kind of impact these pieces can have is Chiho Ushio’s “Shangri La 2020,” now displayed at the Daniel Kahikina Akaka State Veterans Home. It shows how public art can connect past and present through various materials and styles.
