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A History of the Kauai Society of Artists Compiled in 2008 and 2009 from past board minutes, newsletters, news clippings, and feedback from past and current KSA directors and members. This should be considered an overview of the organization's high points and history. It is not possible at this time to list each of the hundreds of annual exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and other events, nor individually acknowledge the many hundreds of artists and volunteers that have been part of KSA since the organization's founding in 1975. KSA welcomes any further information or historical details but we cannot guarantee that all submissions will be included. Background: The Kauai Society of Artists is a relatively recent chapter in the art history of Kauai- an art history that began long ago, probably sometime between 300 and 500 AD, when a human footprint first appeared on Kauai, placed by a Polynesian seafarer stepping from the surf onto a sand or boulder-lined shore of the island. Over subsequent centuries the Hawaiian culture thrived on Kauai, as it did across the chain, evolving its own artistic expressions influenced by the unique natural environment of Hawaii as well as by continued contact with various islands in Polynesia and between neighboring islands. In 1778 Captain Cook arrived on Kauai, ushering in a new era of change with outside influences greatly affecting the arts and culture of the islands. Although in modern times there has been a resurgence of interest in traditional Hawaiian arts, and dedicated practitioners have revived many of the ancient artforms, non-native art approaches and styles largely dominate the visual arts in contemporary Hawaii. In the early 1970's several art organizations were active on Kauai, all receiving varying degrees of support from the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. The Kauai Art Group, founded in 1962, was sponsoring workshops, lectures, exhibitions and other events. In 1972 the Kauai Crafts Studio was begun by Carol Yotsuda to provide workshops on Kauai. The Kauai Community Arts Council, founded in 1966 by Carol Ann Davis LeGoullon under the auspices of the County of Kauai, was the first comprehensive (umbrella) arts organization on Kauai and was active until 1975. Kauai Society of Artists- 1975 to present: 1975: In August of this year, a group of Kauai painters, some of whom had been active in the arts on Kauai for a number of years, were just finishing a series of summer painting classes when they decided to organize as the Kauai Society of Artists. One of the primary purposes of the planned organization was to promote interest in oil and acrylic painting, and to "bring teachers of distinction to Kauai to give the group instruction, so that our skills will improve." The group elected Jerry Bennett and Helen O'Neill to serve jointly as president/secretary. Later that year a membership letter was sent out requesting dues of $5 for the year beginning November 1, 1975. 1976: A first meeting of the Kauai Society of Artists was held on January 16, 1976 following a week-long painting course with Warren Brandon. George and Dorris Batt were elected president and secretary/treasurer respectively. Membership dues were set at $3 a year, and a more comprehensive meeting was planned for a week later on January 23. On the 23rd, following a critique of member paintings, a meeting was held. The treasurer reported a balance of $176 in the savings account. Numerous items were discussed including planning of exhibitions, painting days, classes, newsletters, no-host cocktail parties, and getting supplies at discount (Lila Brown was appointed Chairperson of Procuring Supplies). Members in attendance included Dorris and George Batt, Jerry Bennett, Lila Brown, Jane Gordon, Yolande Lynn, Ida Schaleben, Eleanor Sullivan, Chris Tirre, and Barbara Wells. Following the meeting a Kauai Society of Artists newsletter (Vol.1, no.1) was sent out by Chris Tirre with information about dues, art shows, and painting days. Also there was an announcement for a no-host cocktail party to be held at a member's house in Anahola including the direction to "look for the brown truck with red flag."  Various painting sessions, workshops, and get-togethers were held during that first year. Other early KSA members included Lois Coleman, Myrna Campbell, Barbara Marcus, Mrs. Roy Powell, Barbara Mason, and Kathryn Baldwin. 1977: The first KSA annual report was given at the membership meeting of January, 1977, and it was noted that the group now had 24 members. It was suggested that the annual membership dues be raised again to $5 to help with KSA's bank balance. It was also noted that KSA had put out just one newsletter the previous year (Vol.1, no.1). Lila Brown was elected President, with Gerry Wojno as Vice-President, and Helen O'Neill as secretary/treasurer. About the same time, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA), under the direction of Alfred Preis, appointed Carol Ann Davis LeGoullon to replace Jolly Cashion (now Bodine) as Community Arts Coordinator for Kauai. Carol Ann had been active in the arts on Kauai for many years, including having previously served as President of the original Kauai Arts Group and Chairperson of the Kauai Community Arts Council. KSA applied to the SFCA for a project grant to help support workshops and lectures. Also this same year, Carol Yotsuda along with Arnold Meister and Mary Lou Barella founded the Garden Island Arts Council (GIAC) to serve as the new umbrella arts organization for the island. At the KSA meeting in April, the guest speakers were Kauai artists Glenn Habermann and Roger Rogelstad, who spoke on how the organization should develop goals, plan for the future, and reach into the community to help develop an awareness and appreciation of art. At KSA's June 1977 meeting it was noted that KSA's bank balance was up to $302.03. Plans were discussed for a members show later in the year. In July, KSA was approved for its first SFCA grant-in-aid of $700 which would go to helping support workshops and lectures. Over the next two years, KSA continued sponsoring exhibitions, along with workshops, lectures and other events supported in part by SFCA grants. Editors Note: Documentation could not be found for the period between late 1977 and 1980, including when and where the first two annual KSA Member Shows were held. Sometime during this period the first Art Kauai exhibition, sponsored by GIAC, was held at the War Memorial Convention Hall, and several art groups including KSA worked together on that show. 1980: Millie Wellington was KSA President. KSA began presenting exhibitions at the State Building in Lihue. A number of artists including Carol Yotsuda, Glenn Habermann, Carol Ann Davis, Roger Rogelstad, Wendy Benton, Flora Fujii, Phyllis Kunimura, Patrice Pendarvis, Gladys Tashiro, John Davison, Dawn and Carl Steinhart, and others were instrumental in creating the Garden Island Arts Center next to Lihue Theatre. Though only in existence for a year, a number of exhibitions and other events were held there, and it was an exciting period for Kauai artists with an art center space all their own. 1981: Phyllis Kunimura was President. A number of events were held including the 3rd Annual KSA members show, an exhibit at Olu Pua Gardens, and several workshops. 1982: Glenn Habermann was President. KSA began to look into seeking 501c3 nonprofit status for the group. KSA's 4th annual exhibition was held, along with several workshops and lectures. In May, the first KSA Annual Art Scholarship Award, chosen from Kauai high school student portfolios, was presented. KSA would continue to sponsor an annual student art competition through at least 1985. The KSA Board this year also began planning to hold two major group exhibitions per year- one juried and one open members show. Hurricane Iwa struck Kauai in November, 1982. 1983: Kauai was still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Iwa when the Kauai Society of Artists followed through on incorporating as an official nonprofit arts organization in Hawaii, thus making it easier for the group to qualify for state arts and culture grants. The first nonprofit board of directors was comprised of Kauai artists and arts supporters from all walks of Kauai life, and included Christian Tirre- President, Carol Ann Davis (also serving as SFCA representative ex-officio), Carl Steinhart, Elise Plaut, Glenn Habermann, Julie Halpern, Phyllis Kunimura, Betty Santos, Olga Urminska, and Millie Wellington.  1984: John Shklov was President. KSA and the Garden Island Arts Council co-sponsored the Art Kauai '84 exhibition at the Kauai Museum, which had been last sponsored by GIAC in 1980. Also, in December 1984, the KSA board voted to revise the charter to change the purpose of the society from the promotion and appreciation of art through "the media of painting, drawing, and related art forms" to "all visual art forms." 1985: Betty Santos was President. KSA began sponsoring the annual juried Art Kauai exhibition at the Kauai Museum. 1986: Lynne Hart was president. It was another successful year with a number of events held, however KSA shifted from a calendar year to a fiscal year, and as a result the board found itself struggling to find new Directors halfway through the year as several board members couldn't extend their term beyond December as originally planned. 1987: In the August 1987 KSA newsletter there was an editorial pointing out that KSA was in a crisis situation, with not enough volunteers to even fill all the seats on the board. In spite of this a small dedicated group including Jean Gregg, Michael Lorenz, and Jean Inaba kept events and exhibitions happening. 1988: By August 1988, in spite of having a healthy bank balance, KSA was considered more or less "semi-inactive" due to low volunteer support. The few members of the board struggled with burnout and lack of willing volunteers. Again, a few dedicated individuals including Jean Gregg and A.Kimberlin Blackburn managed to organize Art Kauai '88 in the fall. 1989 to 1998: A.Kimberlin Blackburn served as President during this ten year period, and KSA began expanding its exhibitions and activities along with continued SFCA grant funding support. Art Kauai exhibitions continued at the Kauai Museum and Membership Shows were held at the State Building. In 1990 a KSA exhibition was held for the first time in a commercial gallery space at Stones Gallery in Kukui Grove, followed by an exhibition in the same space the following two years. Small Works Shows were held at Treasures of Kuan Yin Gallery, Evolve Love Gallery, and Kinipopo Fine Arts. KSA sponsored a number of other activities including a curated exhibition of KSA artists held in Honolulu, a Guide to Kauai Artists printed and distributed widely, and a website. KSA also co-sponsored a Kauai arts and culture promotional brochure in conjunction with other nonprofit groups on the island. Hurricane Iniki blew over the island in September 1992, impacting many artist's lives and leading to the closing of several galleries. In the wake of the hurricane, Carol Yotsuda and the Garden Island Arts Council (GIAC) initiated the Kauai Arts Resource Project (KARP) to provide support (office and meeting space) for Kauai artists and art groups. KSA board meetings and a number of lectures and workshops were held in the Lihue KARP office during this time. The KARP facilities would continue to remain active in various locations through 2008. 1998: In late 1998 Sally French became KSA President. At the same time, Carol Yotsuda and the Garden Island Arts Council negotiated use of the old JC Penney space at Kukui Grove Shopping Center for exhibitions and events. The KSA board began discussing with GIAC the possibility of holding exhibitions in the space alternating with GIAC events. Art Kauai '98 was held at the Kauai Museum (for the last time in that location). 1999: KSA held its first exhibition at Kukui Grove with the KSA Membership Show in May and June. 2000 to 2007: GIAC managed the original Kukui Grove space alternating exhibitions with KSA for several more years. At the Art Kauai 2001 exhibition KSA presented its first Lifetime Achievement Award and exhibition to Paul Yardley. Geraldine King Tam would be honored with the award in 2002 and Carol Ann Davis in 2004. With the loss of the Kukui Grove Exhibition space in 2003, KSA held two shows elsewhere- Art Kauai 2003 at the Kauai Village Shopping Center in Waipouli, and the Small Works Show 2004 at Anchor Cove Shopping Center in Kalapaki. In 2004 KSA negotiated the use of another empty space at Kukui Grove for exhibitions. Then, after another two moves to other spaces in the center, in 2006 KSA found itself in the space it would go on to enjoy for a number of years. Sally French, Penny Nichols, and John Davison served as President during this period. 2008: This year marked KSA's 25th anniversary since it became an official Hawaii nonprofit organization in 1983. Two board members this year exemplified KSA's 25 year history as a nonprofit organization and the many volunteers who have contributed over that timespan: Carol Ann Davis, longtime Kauai artist and board member on the original nonprofit board of 1983, has been a steady volunteer and board member for much of the last quarter century, and served on the board once again in 2008. Also, serving as President again this year was Kauai artist Sally French who has served on the KSA board many times in the past, and whose parents, the late Dawn and Carl Steinhart, were avid KSA supporters serving on the board for many of the group's early years. KSA continued to enjoy the generously donated exhibition space at Kukui Grove courtesy of the staff and management of the center. (Since 1999, all but two of KSA's exhibitions have been held at the Kukui Grove Shopping Center). KSA artist and visitor participation continued at a strong pace in spite of the dramatic economic slowdown this year. In addition to its three main exhibitions, KSA began planning and hosting other interim exhibitions and events, in order to better utilize the Kukui Grove exhibition space and give Kauai artists as many exhibition opportunities as possible. These additional exhibitions included a showing of KSA artists at the outdoor Red Clay Jazz Festival and the first KSA Digital Art exhibition. 2009: Sally French continues as President. KSA is still expanding events, even with economic uncertainties threatening. In addition to sponsoring four group art exhibitions (including the 2nd annual Digital Art exhibit) and five lectures, KSA, in conjunction, with Kukui Grove, made the exhibition space available for events by other nonprofit organizations including the YWCA, Friendship House, Kauai Bonsai Club, and Waimea High School Photography class. Edited by John Davison / copyright 2009 |
How KSA does it- KSA owes its over three decades of existence to hundreds of volunteers and board members, virtually all of them artists, amateur and professional, who have come forward since 1975 to carry on the commitment and dedication of KSA's early founders. These hardworking volunteers have kept the ball rolling with all the successful exhibitions and events held year after year, in spite of numerous challenges. The list of past board members, some of whom have served for years and many hundreds of volunteer hours, includes past KSA presidents such as Jerry Bennett, Helen O'Neill, George Batt, Lila Brown, Millie Wellington, Phyllis Kunimura, Glenn Habermann, Christian Tirre, John Shklov, Betty Santos, Lynne Hart, Jean Gregg, A.Kimberlin Blackburn, Penny Nichols, John Davison, and Sally French. They have been assisted on the KSA board by numerous volunteers serving as Vice-Presidents, Treasurers, Secretaries, and Directors, plus all of the other KSA member volunteers who have served on committees and assisted with KSA exhibitions and events. As a nonprofit organization, KSA seeks to serve the Kauai community in as broad and inclusive a manner as possible. All KSA exhibitions and lectures are open free to public viewing, KSA's three main exhibitions are open to artists working in all media and styles, and KSA invites a variety of exhibition jurors and lecturers to give Kauai artists and the public a range of educational opportunities and perspectives. Although there are a number of commercial galleries on Kauai, the exhibition opportunities are limited for many upcoming artists or artists working in less commercially viable artforms. KSA exhibitions give them this chance. Many Kauai artists have been purchased for the state Art in Public Places collection through the annual KSA sponsored Art Kauai exhibitions. KSA collaborates with other arts and culture groups to further promote the arts on Kauai. Over the last 30 plus years, many thousands of Kauai artists, residents, and visitors have participated in and enjoyed KSA sponsored exhibitions and events. Through the years, KSA, like many nonprofits, has faced the recurring difficulties of funding, finding locations for events, recruiting volunteers, and maintaining a dedicated and effective board of directors. Volunteer and board member burnout is always a risk, and it has laid the organization low several times in the past, but always, usually through the creative determination of a few dedicated individuals, the group has renewed itself and continued on with its mission. A number of times the organization has had to scramble in search of new exhibition space, with teams of member volunteers coming together to convert rough and empty spaces into art galleries just in time for exhibitions. Every event needs to be planned and organized, with numerous details and tasks to be dealt with. KSA can be proud that the organization has continued for over three decades producing professional level exhibitions and other quality arts events in our community due largely to the hardworking and dedicated artist volunteers and board members. KSA also depends on the generosity of many individuals and businesses in the community, as well as local and state government. Over the years KSA exhibitions have been held in donated spaces at various locations including the Convention Hall, State Building, Kauai Museum, Evolve Love Gallery, Kinipopo Shopping Village, Anchor Cove, Waipouli Shopping Village, and finally the Kukui Grove Shopping Center where, since1999, nearly all KSA exhibitions and events have been held, made possible by the generosity of Kukui Grove staff and management. Exhibition awards and other donations come from generous donors in the Kauai community. Many of KSA's display panels and pedestals are generously provided by the Garden Island Arts Council. In addition to support from the Kauai community, KSA events and activities are aided in part by funding from the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts through appropriations from the Hawaii State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts. |