Ever wonder who creates the artwork displayed inside the Hub? You know, the dinosaurs, the comics, those abstract paintings?
Each month the Hub chooses a different local artist and exhibits their work, to showcase our community’s incredible talent. We love this because it creates the opportunity to support our local artists, foster new connections, spark conversations, and drive creativity through our ever evolving workspace decor.
The Impact Art Gallery is our version of an art residency program. This space gives local artists an opportunity to share and sell their work. This month, we will share the art virtually as well. Past artists have included: Lauren Hana Chai, Boz Schurr, Sheanae Tam, Bai Xin Chen, Ryan Higa, Aria Villafranca and Lauren Trangmar.
Sarah Kawaonahele Opaieie Mapuana Farris is our resident local artist for August. Farris is a Native Hawaiian artist who is currently finishing her last semester at the University of Hawaii with a degree in marketing. You may have seen her working at Deck Waikiki and Arvo Cafe, and if not, you have definitely seen her artwork in various local businesses around O’ahu, such as Morning Brew Cafe and Beyond Fitness Hawai’i in Kakaako, Sunrise Shack in Waikiki, and on MoistHawaii merchandise –– an environmental awareness clothing brand.
This summer, she volunteered for Mele Murals, an organization that focuses on bringing local artists, musicians, and cultural advisors together to preserve Hawaiian culture.
We had the chance to speak with Farris about her experience with the Hub recently. This is what she had to say:
Q: What inspires your art?
A: Before moving to Hawaii, finding inspiration for my artwork was very difficult. When I started focusing on my art career in 2017, I noticed that my artwork was heavily influenced by the Hawaiian environment and culture. In my art classes at the University of Hawaii, my fellow students call me a passion painter. This is a person that relies on their emotions and can portray that through a piece. Upon moving here, I have felt more connected to my surroundings, using what I see and what I feel from the island and people to showcase in my art.
Q: How did you get in touch with the Hub?
A: I got in touch with the Hub through Josh, who used to be one of my coworkers at Morning Brew Kakaako. A year or two ago Josh started at the Hub and discussed that they usually look for artists to showcase their art, which led me to send in an application to be featured.
Q: How do you benefit from this partnership?
A: To me, The Hub is more than a coworking space for individuals. It is an organization that focuses on bringing different parts of the community together to make one ‘ohana. This concept aligns with what I would like to do with my artwork, bringing different people with different passions together to make a community that helps each other. What I think I can gain from this partnership is a community of people that help others in their creativity. I am hoping that this partnership will lead to many opportunities that will help me give back to my community. I am planning to take some of the profits of the exhibit and donate it to Mele Murals, in which it can help younger generations to be able to connect with their culture and to nurture their creativity.
For more information about the Impact Art Gallery and to submit your artwork, please fill out this form or contact the Hub team.
