Art at the Capitol

The Hawai‘i State Senate will open its doors for April’s First Friday event, inviting the public to view “Art at the Capitol,” works of art that are a part of the State’s Art in Public Places program. Visitors will have an opportunity to view over 175 works of art, while also enjoying entertainment featuring the Hawaii Youth Symphony. This marks the first time the State Capitol will participate in a First Friday event.

“We have some outstanding art in the Capitol,” said Senator Brian Taniguchi, who has led efforts to open the Capitol on First Friday. “Most are in places where the public sees them on a day-to-day basis, but we wanted to make it more convenient for people to come in and see them all at once, to get the full impact of our collection.”

Ronald Yamakawa, Executive Director of the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, also sees the Art at the Capitol event as a way to expand public appreciation of art in various environments. “We have a lot of art installed at the Capitol,” he said, “which not only enhances the building’s atmosphere, but also shows that the experience of art can be an everyday event. This is a great opportunity for the public to view these works in the context of working offices.”

The Art at the Capitol event will also feature an opportunity to meet some of the artists whose works are on display, including renowned painter and scupltor Satoru Abe.

Works of art are placed in public areas of the State Capitol as part of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ “Art in Public Places” program, which seeks to enhance the environmental quality of state public buildiings and spaces for the enjoyment and enrichment of the public; cultivate the public’s awareness, understanding and appreciation of visual arts; contribute toward the development and recognition of a profressional artistic community; and acquire, 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. The program was establlished in 1967, and was the first program of its kind in the nation.

WHEN: First Friday, April 3, 2009 @ 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm

WHERE: Hawaii State Capitol

Senate offices on the 2nd & 4th floors

415 South Beretania Street

Honolulu, HI 96813

ADMISSION: FREE

For more information, contact Senator Taniguchi’s office at (808) 586-6460.