Local artists featured in ‘Endemic Understanding’

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Volcano Art Center announces an exhibition titled “Endemic Understanding” on display from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily July 23-Aug. 28 at the gallery in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Volcano Art Center announces an exhibition titled “Endemic Understanding” on display from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily July 23-Aug. 28 at the gallery in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

The multimedia exhibition showcases the biodiversity found within the five national parks on Hawaii Island. The exhibit is open to the public and free of charge although park entrance fees apply, with the exception of Aug. 25-28 when park entrance fees will be waived in celebration of the National Park Service birthday weekend. A special opening reception with the seven participating artists will be from 5-7 p.m. July 23 at the VAC gallery.

The artists, including Margaret Barnaby, Heide Cumes, Lanaya Deily, Jack Jeffrey, Susan Litteral, Liz Miller and Karen Schuster, were selected from the 2015 Hawai‘i Nei exhibition celebrating native species and asked to further investigate the plants, animals and environments found within Hawaii Island’s national parks, yet found nowhere else.

“The exhibition title ‘Endemic Understanding’ refers to the ecological state of the species being unique to a defined geographic location, in this case Hawaii Island’s national parks,” said gallery manager Emily C. Weiss. “Through the exhibit we hope to honor the centennial celebration of the National Park Service and its role in helping to protect and understand our natural resources.”

Through a series of educational events, the participating artists gathered information that helped them craft between three and five works each, based on their unique artistic perspective.

The Volcano Art Center was created in 1974 to promote, develop and perpetuate the artistic, cultural and environmental heritage of Hawaii through arts and education. For more information, visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.