Luxury Row and new admin support the arts

Luxury Row photos
New Honolulu mayor Peter Carlisle, third from right, stopped by Luxury Row's Art Walk Nov. 18. He's flanked by, from left, Anthony Gambino and Masako Nashimoto of Nashimoto & Associates, artist Diane KW, Luxury Row property manager Laurie Akau and Tiffany's John Geppert, whose store was the backdrop for Diane's work.


Luxury Row and Cedar Street Galleries hosted the grand opening of its annual "Hawaii's Modern Masters" exhibition Nov. 18, featuring the works of 11 artists as suited to environments within the Chanel, Coach, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Tiffany & Co., Tod's and Yves Saint Laurent boutiques.

The artists featured in the exhibition are Diane KW and her collaborators (at Tiffany); Bernice Akamine, May Izumi, Michelle Kaskovich and Lori Uyehara (at Coach); Scottie Flamm (YSL); John Koga and Maka'i Tubbs (Chanel); Fred Roster (Gucci); Arabella Ark (Tod's); and Daniel Wooddell (Hugo Boss). The exhibition will continue through Dec. 6.

The occasion also represented Luxury Row's formal donation of $ 5,000 to help support the Honolulu Academy of Arts non-profit outreach "Art to Go" program serving Hawaii's youth at risk by sending artist instructors and supplies to host sites throughout the islands.

What's great is how the new governor and Honolulu mayor administrations are showing their support for the arts by turning out at recent events, including those documented on this blog. Gov.-elect Neil Abercrombie showed up at the opening of Rick Ralston's Rix Island Wear boutique and at the Island Edge Design Star Finale to voice his support for the fashion industry. New mayor Peter Carlisle showed up at the "Project Runway" finale party and was at this event showing support for the arts as well.

When times are hard, art programs are often cut from schools, but that is so short-sighted. Hawaii would not be a place worth living without art, beauty and sparks of creativity.

And speaking of support, designer Andy South is hard at work on an ensemble for new First Lady Nancy Caraway to wear at Abercrombie's inauguration Dec. 6. It'll be great to see fashion in the Washington Place Governor's Mansion again.

Laurie Akau presents $ 5,000 donation check from Luxury Row's owners to Vince Hazen, director of the Academy Art Center at Linekona, to benefit the school's "Art to Go" program.

Mixed media artist and sculptor John Koga at Chanel.

Glass artist Daniel Wooddell at Hugo Boss.

Ceramic artist Arabella Ark at Tod's.

Mixed media artist and sculptor Fred Roster at Gucci.