This exhibition seeks to highlight artists and artwork styles at the fringes of the canon. What new visions and new inspirations can you express through the lenses of the popular styles of graffiti, anime and manga. We encourage artists to push the folds of each genre. We are looking for new and fresh perspectives. 

The inspiration for this exhibit is to give a stage to young artists to share their works with the community at large. Our aim is to create the space for emerging artists to exhibit alongside established artists, to support budding artistic careers and to build relationships with artists across generations and genres.  

This exhibit will be displayed in a State Parks facility, thus please keep all works family friendly. Artwork with sensitive subject matter (i.e. nudity, offensive religious or political statements, and or violence) may be juried out. No NSFW. 

As part of the exhibit we will have themed events, including an opening reception with a graffiti battle and DJ. During the exhibit, there will be an ephemeral mural unveiling with a corresponding anime viewing, as well as a cosplay fashion show.  More details as the show approaches. 

Important Dates:

Submission window closes: Friday, January 12, at 5:59 PM (HST)

Artist notification: Monday, January 15, 2024

Exhibition Dates: Friday, February 2 - Thursday, March 21

Opening Reception: Friday, February 2 , 5- 7pm

Artists must drop off accepted artwork:

Hilo: Saturday, January 27, 10-1pm at Wailoa Center

Kona: Friday, January 26, at 10:00am at pick-up Akamai Arts Parking Lot: 

Off Island work must be received by Friday, January 26. (More info on shipping info below)

Artists must pick up work: 

Hilo: Friday, March 22, between 9:00am - 1:00pm at Wailoa Center

Kona: Friday March 22, at 10am at Akamai Arts Parking lot.

(Off-island artwork will be shipped the by Tuesday, March 26)

Submitting Artwork: 

To enter participants must have or create a Café account. All images to be uploaded to their portfolio in Café. The maximum file size that will be accepted is 5 MB. Please see the links below for more info on submitting your best quality images. 

Image Requirements: https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe/uploading-media/

Preparing Images for Download: https://www.callforentry.org/preparing-your-image-files-for-upload/

Photographing your work: https://www.callforentry.org/photographing-artwork/

Entry Fees: 

$15 non-refundable entry fee per each submission. Maximum of five entries per artist. All images or videos must be submitted digitally and will be judged by jurors based upon files submitted.

Shipping Details for Off-Island Artists:

Artists are financially responsible for shipping to and from Wailoa Center. Packages MUST include a prepaid return label as well as a $10 handling fee per artwork. ****Please research shipping costs for the artwork prior to entering.****

Shipping Address:

WAILOA CENTER

200 Piopio St. 

Hilo, Hawaii 96720

Sales: 

Works must be for sale – For any work sold, 80% of sales goes to the artist and 20% goes to HIAA for support of artists, art opportunities and exhibitions at Wailoa Center. 

Juror Information:

Estria Miyashiro is an internationally recognized mural artist and the Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Estria Foundation (TEF), a non-profit organization. He has partnered with over 200 schools and community organizations. His programs mesh Hawaiian culture, meditation and muralism to transform spaces, deepen people’s spiritual and physical connections to place, and strengthen their visual storytelling of critical cultural stories, perspectives, values and struggles. As a respected teacher to young artists, his programs have served approximately 10,000 students.

Estria launched Mele Murals, an inter-island mural program that serves predominantly Pacific Islander youth and Title One schools. With 79 murals completed, demand for Mele Murals continues to outpace the teamsʻ ability to serve. TEF programs include arts classes at several schools, Mele Murals Intercession Programs and Mele Murals Professional Development for teachers.

Estria began painting in Hawaii in 1984 and has painted nearly 1,000 murals worldwide. He was an influential leader of the "Golden Age" of Writing (1980s) in San Francisco. He pioneered painting techniques and is one of the originators of the stencil tip.

Estria's mural clients include President Clinton, Vodafone, Gansevoort Hotel, Oakland Museum of California, Toyota, MTV, McDonald's, Sega, Leviʻs, McKesson, Nokia, and the Mills Corporation. 

Juror Statement: 

I grew up on comic books and did my fair share of style writing (graffiti). Nowdays works that inspire me have a genuine connection and aloha for place. I especially like art that speaks on behalf of the ʻāina, lāhui or kūpuna. I like bold, confident composition and linework. I am moved by technique and storytelling that hold my attention for a long time. Honesty, integrity, and a unique take on our existence and kuleana are key.
 

Prizes:

Jurorʻs Choice: $400

1st Place, Manga / Anime: $300

1st Place, Urban Art: $300

About Wailoa Center:

Located in Piʻopiʻo and the Wailoa River State Recreation Area, Wailoa Center is Hawai’i Island’s largest venue for showcasing the work of local and international artists.  With exhibits that change monthly, the two galleries within Wailoa Center offer opportunities that provide inspiration and exposure to artists and community members alike.  The Wailoa Center is free and open to the public.

About Hawaiʻi Island Art Alliance: 

Founded in 2015, Hawai`i Island Art Alliance (HIAA) is a non-profit organization supporting and  inspiring art and culture in our community. HIAA is a completely volunteer-driven, whose current Mission is to concentrate on the support and production of a variety of happenings at the Wailoa Center. 

HIAA sponsors juried and non-juried exhibits, educational and cultural programming at Wailoa Center throughout the year.  

 HIAA hopes to positively impact the art and cultural community on Hawaiʻi Island through our contributions at Wailoa Center.

Application Requirements

• Completed Portfolio on CAFE with 1 - 5 artwork samples
• Submission fee: $15 per entry
• Artist/ Artwork Statement

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to all ages and professional levels
• Open to any media (2D, 3D, video etc) within the genres of anime, manga and urban art.
• 2D works must be no larger than 7’ tall x 9’ wide’; 3D works must not be taller than 10ʻ
• Artwork must have been created in the past two years.
• Artwork can NOT have been previously exhibited at Wailoa Center.
• This exhibit will be displayed in a State Parks facility, thus artwork with sensitive subject matter (i.e. nudity, offensive religious or political statements, and or violence) may be juried out. No NSFW.
• No AI generated artwork.
• We realize the importance of fan art in the manga and anime genre, but in this exhibition it will not be accepted. Please use your inspiration of these characters to create your own new works.
• If accepted, all work MUST be gallery quality installation ready to hang or be easily installed. If you have questions about the installation of your work, please contact Wailoa Center, (808) 933-0416 or dlnr.sp.wailoacenter@hawaii.gov