
The Mendonca Building's unique Courtyard is open again
for First Friday and will be joining the Chinese New Year celebration!
Listen for the fireworks, and be ready to “feed” the
Lions.
John
Johnson is returning to the Courtyard this
month. He is a free dive photographer whose international award-winning works
have appeared in the Smithsonian Institute and the Natural History Museum of
London. He has been featured on KHNL and KGMB and his images have been published
in a variety of local publications, including Hawaii Skin Diver, Star Bulletin,
and the Honolulu Advertiser. Come see a sample of his amazing
images—all captured on a single breath of air underwater. His website at
www.OneBreathPhotography.com will offer additional views of the amazing world
under the waterline.
Kimi
Werner is a friend of John’s and is
showing in the Courtyard for the first time. She is a national champion free
diver and a local oil painter. The natural beauty of the islands never
ceases to take her breath away and this is her inspiration. Her love for
nature and the ocean undeniably speaks in her oil paintings. From tropical
landscapes to beautiful sea creatures, Kimi chooses to paint all of her favorite
things in bold vibrant colors and animated brush strokes. She will be
bringing a variety of work including originals and prints of both fish paintings
and landscapes.
Eric Mead is a self taught artist for nine years, emergingÊnow after traveling throughout America and South America. This is his first showing in the Courtyard. He spent the last three years living on the coastÊin Kapoho,ÊBig Island; but is nowÊbackÊin HonoluluÊfinishing up his master's degree inÊChinese Medicine. He loves colors and his favorite things toÊpaintÊareÊwavesÊand mountains.
TAG
will be back with new costumes on the rack and offering their “Costumes
and Coffee in the Courtyard” There will be Vintage Clothing and
accessories from the Dustyflint Collection with a special selection for
Valentine's Day!
Donna
Matichuk, a Honolulu photographer, will show
a collection of black and white photos titled “Patterns of Nature.”
She is a First Friday enthusiast who focuses primarily on nature, usually in
color. A former graphic artist, Donna studied photography at the University of
the Nations on the Big Island. Her photos have appeared in Flowers and Plants of
Hawaii, and the 2006 Flowers of Hawaii Calendar, both published by Island
Heritage Publishing of Oahu. Her photos have also been featured at Logos Book
Store. Donna works with Canon digital equipment, and is a huge fan of
Photoshop.
Although he has been a Honolulu resident since 2006, Jorge Veras is new to the Courtyard. He was born in Nyack, New York in 1967 of Dominican ancestry. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, NYC in 1990. His current body of work of Hawaiian nature and landscape scenes are archival quality giclée prints stretched on canvas, lending them a very painterly and artistic feeling. Jorge is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine at World Medicine Institute.
Fred Gayagas will be back on the platform ready to welcome people into the Courtyard with his blend of local and old favorites on his guitar
Kate
Wagner will be providing her Box dinners
from the Starpoint Café. She always has some interesting pieces of art
inside to view while you eat. Some of the artwork are her originals and some
are contributed by her friends.
Enter into the Chinatown Courtyard on Smith Street
through the stand of bamboo at the Blue Dragon Gate. This event is free and
open to the public.