MACC’s Next Exhibit: Schaefer Portrait Challenge 2012

By Madeline Ziecker

MACC courtesy photo.

The Schaefer International Gallery at the MACC will be showcasing the fourth triennial exhibition of Schaefer Portrait Challenge 2012 from January 11 – March 11, 2012.

The exhibit will feature 57 artists from Maui, Kauai and Hawaii in a set of 59 portrait works portraying the people of the islands.

Those who have been on Maui long enough to experience one or more of the Schaefer Portrait Challenges will delight in the chance to see new faces, techniques, and artists presented in the 2012 exhibit.

Artists participating in the Schaefer Portrait Challenge have created their portraits in the art mediums of  paint, pastel, graphite, watercolor, stone, clay, wood, and mixed media.

Standards for the artists to be featured in the exhibit are the ability to create a likeness to the portrait subject while incorporating personal style, and the ability to translate an emotion or thought that evokes a response in the viewer.

The three jurors who chose the collection of 2012 portraits were Sally French, Duane Preble and Michael Takemoto.

Maui juror Michael Takemoto, an artist himself and Assistant Professor at UH Maui College, said that jurors were looking to create a collection of contemporary portraiture with works that were qualified on aesthetic, technical, and cultural levels.

Carolyn and Jack Schaefer Gray will donate $15,000 to the 2012 winner of the Jurors’ Choice Award. The winner will be announced at the opening reception for the exhibit on Sunday, January 8 at the Schaefer International Gallery.

The artist who will be chosen for the $5,000 Marian Freeman People’s Choice Award will be announced at the gallery on Sunday, February 19 at 4 p.m. Gallery visitors will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite portrait through Friday, February 17.

The 57 participating artists in the exhibit are listed as follows: Rose Adare, Dion ‘Boyett’ Aguilar, Gabrielle  Anderman, Daniel Bilmes, Nitya Brighenti, Chris Campbell, Emily Carder, Mike Carroll, Hung Kwai Chan, Ken Charon, Jonathan Yukio Clark, Peter Shepard Cole, Hoaka Delos Reyes, Brentton Demello, Margaret Ezekiel, Stephen Freedman, Ingrid Frégeau, Janice Gail, Stephen Garnin, Lynne Garzino, Bob Getzen, Robert Glick, Tijana Graham, Roberta Griffith, Vince Hazen, Marlene Honma, Robb Jones, Linda Kane, Kathleen Kastles, Ken Kennell, Verdine Kong, Kirk Kurokawa, Howard Lapp, Dennis William Leatherman, Wilton Leauanae, Robert Lober, Susanne Long, Charlie Lyon, Michele Manning, Jacob Arthur Medina, Karen Mortensen, Gerald Murai, Pamela Neswald, Penny Nichols, Patrick Daniel Sarsfield, Boz Schurr, Kirsten Rae Simonsen, Anna Skaradzinska, Nancy Skrimstad, Roger B. Stephens, Wayne Takazono, Steve Vandervort, Albert Weight, Robert Weiss, Billy Welker, Natasha Young, and Patricia Yu.

Schaefer International Gallery is open with free admission Wednesday – Sunday from 11 am to 5 p.m. and before Castle Theater shows. For more information, contact Gallery Director Neida Bangerter at 808-243-4288 or [email protected].