HILO, Hawaiʻi – Hawaiʻi Island artists are invited to submit their work for the 15th Annual Abstract Only art exhibition, which this year features a unique international exchange with artists from Shanghai, China. The Wailoa Center, operating under the DLNR Division of State Parks, is partnering with the Hawaiʻi Island Art Alliance (HIAA) and the Shanghai Abstract Artists Association (SAAA) for this collaborative event.
The partnership aims to facilitate an exchange of both artwork and artists between Hawaiʻi and China, providing an opportunity to bring together individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds, experiences, and artistic perspectives.
Zhao Kangwei, President of the Shanghai Association for Foreign Exchange, expressed the significance of the event, stating it is “deeply meaningful to hold an art exchange in two places with such different cultures and artistic discourse.” Xu Demin, president of the Shanghai Abstract Painting Society, added that “Art knows no borders, and artistic wealth should belong to everyone.”
Selected works by Hawaiʻi artists will be showcased at the Wailoa Center in Hilo from August 1 to August 28. Furthermore, participating Hawaiʻi artists will have the opportunity for their artwork to be displayed at an exhibit in Shanghai later in December.
Emily Leucht, Coordinator for Wailoa Center, highlighted the pioneering nature of this exchange. “This exchange is the first of its kind for Wailoa Center and DSP,” shared Leucht. “With abstract art as the vehicle for this exchange, communication can go beyond spoken languages and delve into our shared human experiences.”
Artists residing in Hawaiʻi and kamaʻāina interested in participating in this international art exchange must submit their artwork through www.callforentry.org by the deadline of July 1, 2025. Due to the unique nature of this collaborative exchange, the exhibition is open exclusively to Hawaiʻi residents and kamaʻāina. For more information or to learn how to get involved, artists can visit www.wailoacenter.com/abstract-exchange.
Artwork submissions: www.callforentry.org.