Participating Artists Announced for Schaefer Portrait Challenge 2022

Maui Arts & Cultural Center announces the opening of Schaefer Portrait Challenge from Jan. 11 to March 19, 2022 in Schaefer International Gallery. Originally scheduled for Jan 2021, this juried statewide exhibition was postponed for a year due to COVID-19.

With restrictions on jury travel the call to artists went out through Café Entry, an application management system for the arts. Inclusion into this competition is rigorous with a high standard of expectation of submitting artists with two substantial cash awards given and the ultimate public exposure in Schaefer International Gallery.

This year’s jurors are Carl Jennings, Associate Professor, Arts and Humanities at Kapiʻolani Community College, Codie King, Director, Wailoa Center and Jan Sato, former Baldwin High School art teacher. They selected 48 works by 47 artists from the Big Island, Maui, Lānaʻi, O‘ahu, and Kaua‘i, each featuring portrait subjects who live or work in Hawai‘i.

The jurors looked for portraits that communicated both visually and conceptually. Beyond technical proficiency, the artist must meet in person with the sitter to establish a connection that reveals their subject’s inner spirit or essence, and convey that in the portrait. Artists who used a fresh approach to a classical art form, along with a compelling written statement to support their idea, received a consensual decision by the jurors for inclusion into the exhibition

The artists selected to participate in Schaefer Portrait Challenge 2022 are Ilana Acevedo, Adare, Arnold Bornios, Alika Bustillos, Mike Carroll, Janis Casco Blayer, Jodie Chock, Sachelle Dae, Scott Doying, Lora Finelli, Ingrid Frégeau, Sally French, Roberta Griffith, Ichiko Haberlin, Shay Hachiya, Edd Tokarz Harnas, Jeremiah Heller, Barclay Hill, Jeremy Hoffeld, Jon Hunt, Thomas James, Eduardo Joaquin, Robb Jones, Elizabeth Keller, Diane Kim, Sook Kim, Gloria Kniazky, Kirk Kurokawa, Rebecca Lewis, Lynn Liverton, Lisa Louie, Boots Lupenui, Ethel Mann, Camilo Martinez, Deborah Masterson, Penny Nichols, Tomoko Ouchi, Jennifer Owen, Daniel Palmer, Suzy Papanikolas, Maxwell Ross, Daniel Sheinfeld Rodriguez, Nancy Skrimstad, Jimmy Tablante, Tomy Takemura, George Woollard, and Natasha Young.

The Schaefer Portrait Challenge is a statewide juried exhibition that has been held triennially since 2003, encouraging Hawai‘i artists to present the people of their island communities through explorations in portraiture. This exhibition features the carefully selected entries of artists whose work best captures Hawai‘i’s extraordinary portrait subjects, and carries two substantial cash prizes:

• The Jurors Choice Award for $15,000 is selected by the jurors, and will be announced on Jan. 9, 2022. This award is sponsored by Carolyn Schaefer.
• The Gene & Ruth Freedman People’s Choice Award for $5,000, sponsored by the Eugene and Ruth Freedman Family Foundation, is based upon the popular vote of gallery visitors throughout the duration of the exhibition at MACC, with award announcement and presentation at a reception on March 13, 2022.

Gallery visitors will be able to cast a ballot for their favorite piece in the exhibit and that winner will be announced on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The gallery hours are currently Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. but will expand for Schaefer Portrait challenge to Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.

The gallery has adopted several health and safety procedures in accordance with current local and state guidelines.

Gallery visitors will be limited to 10 at one time and required to wear face masks. A hand sanitizer dispenser is available and touch points such as door handles and restrooms will be sanitized regularly. If circumstances change by the start of the exhibit, the MACC will modify requirements accordingly. More information on the MACC’s COVID-related protocol are available at https://mauiarts.org/notice.php

Public Events: (all to take place with current health protocols in place on the date of the event)

• Techniques in Portraiture: Jan. 29, 3-5 p.m., Schaefer International Gallery. Technique building in portraiture for class for high school student’s grades 9-12, will be taught by artists in the Schaefer Portrait Challenge. FREE. Materials included. To reserve a space contact: [email protected]
• Quick Draw Night: Thursday, Feb. 17, 6-9 p.m. A creative studio experience taught by professional artists exploring playful ways to make a portrait. For adults (21 and over) Includes art materials, snacks, and no-host beverages. Tickets: $25. To reserve a space contact: [email protected]
• Observe and Play Family Day: Saturday, Feb. 26, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Families are invited to view the exhibit together, watch portrait demonstrations by professional artists, and make a piece of art to take home. FREE.
• The Gene and Ruth Freedman, People’s Choice Award Reception: Sunday, March 13, 2 p.m. The public is invited for the results of the popular votes of the visitors to the exhibition, one artist will receive this $5,000 award sponsored by the Eugene and Ruth Freedman Family Foundation.

The Schaefer Portrait Challenge is a triennial statewide juried art exhibition, and a signature exhibition of Schaefer International Gallery at Maui Arts & Cultural Center, featuring artists from throughout Hawai‘i and portraits of subjects who have distinguished themselves in the eyes of the artist. The MACC works closely with local arts organizations on each island to ensure a statewide community-based effort.

Gallery Hours beginning January 2022: Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. The gallery has adopted several procedures in accordance with local and state guidelines. Visitors will be limited to 25 at one time and required to wear face masks. A hand sanitizer dispenser is available and touch points such as door handles and restrooms will be sanitized regularly.