Join Artist-Led, Family-Friendly Workshops at HiSAM’s Super Saturday

Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i State Art Museum

The Hawai‘i State Art Museum invites you to Super Saturday, the museum’s special event tailored to keiki and families, on May 20. Super Saturday now happens four times a year and offers a range of hands-on workshops led by professional artists. Each activity is inspired by artwork on display inside the museum galleries and in the Art in Public Places collection.

This event will include student recitals from LC Piano and Dae Han Honolulu Jazz Music School as well as a live performance by Americana folk band Hook+Line. Enjoy ‘ono food and refreshments from Palaman Purveyors and Cool Beans inside the cafe.

“The Flight” by Theodore Haupt (left) and “The Power of Uncertainty” by Joey Chiarello (right). Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i State Art Museum

Trick Your Mind

Artist Sarah Farris will blow your mind with an optical illusion workshop inspired by Theodore Haupt’s “The Flight” painting, which appeared on a 1929 New Yorker magazine cover. Participants will learn how to create illusion artwork using simple lines and color variation to achieve depth and movement on a flat surface.

Bring the Fantastic to Life

Keiki who love clay will want to join Johnny Macas-Freire and his Super Squishy Sculptures workshop inspired by Joey Chiarello’s “The Power of Uncertainty.” Learn how to use nontoxic modeling materials to build and decorate your own one-of-a-kind fantastical creature.

Write Inspired Poetry

Manny Aloha, artist and founder of Surf Poets Society, will help you find your inner poet by exploring simple techniques such as rhyme, haikus, and acrostic (a poem in which letters in each line spell out a word or name). Participants will write poems inspired by art on display inside the museum and have the opportunity to recite their new poems on a mic in front of a live audience.

SEE ALSO: Brandy Nālani McDougall Debuts as the New Hawai‘i State Poet Laureate at Hawai‘i State Art Museum

“Ko Ke Kumulipo (The Drummer)” by Jean Charlot. Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i State Art Museum

Find an Artistic Beat

Thomas Castro from Breaks R4 Kids will lead a break-dancing workshop based on Jean Charlot’s dynamic painting “Ko Ke Kumulipo (The Drummer).” Aspiring musicians can join James McCarthy’s workshop, “The Sound of Art,” with shakers, rhythm sticks and drums. Come up with new songs inspired by the artwork you see in the Accession exhibit.

Meditate Through Movement

Head outdoors to the Sculpture Garden for a unique immersive experience led by Trahvae Freraire, who has extensive training as an art, yoga, meditation and movement wellness practitioner. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about walking meditation, hā breath work and gentle movement practices while connecting with the beauty all around them.

Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i State Art Museum

Delve Into the Rainforest

Marion Ano, founder of Kilo Books Hawai‘i, will guide you to create a rainforest diorama with endemic forest species. Participants will learn more about the symbiotic relationships between endemic manu (birds) and kumulā‘au (trees) as they bring their rainforests to life.

Other amazingly talented featured artists leading workshops include Solomon Enos (HiSAM’s artist in residence), Lauren Trangmar, Sheanae Tam and Fatiha Kheddaoui.

SEE ALSO: 5 Reasons to Visit Hawai‘i State Art Museum in May

Photo: Courtesy of Hawai‘i State Art Museum

Celebrate Young Artists

Check out the Young Artists of Hawai‘i 2023 exhibition opening at HiSAM during Super Saturday. Ninety-six works by Hawai‘i K–7 students were selected by a panel of judges with this year’s theme “Good Leaders Taking Action: What does it look like when good leaders get others involved to make a positive change?” Celebrate alongside the young artists at the awards ceremony taking place from 1 to 3 p.m.

This annual art competition is presented by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and Gravitas Pasifika. Replicas of the award-winning works also go on display for one year at the Pa Kamali‘i Courtyard at the Hawai‘i Convention Center for visitors from all over the world to see.

Super Saturday, May 20, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., free admission, Hawai‘i State Art Museum, 250 S. Hotel Street. hisam.hawaii.gov, @hawaiistateartmuseum

Lisa Shiroma is a correspondent for HiSAM and an artist and art educator. She is the former owner of the HiSAM Museum Gallery Shop, which she ran with partners Aly Ishikuni-Sasaki and Travis Sasaki from Mori by Art + Flea.