2024 Hawaiʻi Nei Art Exhibition

The 2024 Hawaiʻi Nei Art Exhibition invites artists to create work featuring native species of Hawaiʻi Island. The main subject of submitted artwork must be a species native to Hawaiʻi Island, defined as an organism that naturally arrived without human assistance via wind, waves, or wings. Both endemic species (found only in Hawaiʻi) and indigenous species (native to Hawaiʻi and elsewhere) are acceptable. Artwork featuring non-native species, Polynesian introductions, or species endemic exclusively to other Hawaiian islands will not be accepted. Artwork made from materials of endangered native species will not be accepted.

Artists may submit up to five entries, with a $15 non-refundable entry fee per submission. Work samples may include images, audio, or video (maximum 5 of each type, minimum 1 total sample per entry). All submissions must be made digitally through the Café platform with a maximum file size of 5 MB. The submission deadline is October 4, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. MDT. Artists will be notified of acceptance by October 7, 2024. Accepted artwork must be dropped off at Wailoa Center on Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., or picked up in Kona at Akamai Arts parking lot on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. (artwork dimensions cannot exceed 40"x40" including packaging).

The exhibition runs from November 1 to December 12, 2024, with an opening reception on November 1 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. All selected adult artwork is required to be for sale with a minimum price of $20; youth entries are not required to be for sale. If artwork sells, 60% goes to the artist and 40% goes to the Hawaiʻi Island Art Alliance and Three Mountain Alliance Foundation to support fine arts and native species protection. All artists featured in the exhibition will receive recognition and a makana (gift). Artwork pickup is available Thursday, December 12 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. or Friday, December 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Wailoa, or Friday, December 13 at 10:00 a.m. at Akamai Art parking lot.