Call Detail
Call Overview
Days remaining to deadline: 47
Entry Fee (Entry Fee): $20.00
Media Fee(Additional Media Fee): $20.00
Work Sample Requirements
Images | Minimum:Min. 0, Maximum:Max. 5
Video | Minimum:Min. 0, Maximum:Max. 5
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 1, Maximum:Max. 5
Eligibility: Local
State: Hawaii
Jury Dates: 10/11/25 - 10/12/25
Call Description
Artwork Subject Eligibility
The main subject(s) of your piece(s) must be a species native to Hawai‘i Island. The definition used to define a native species is an organism that naturally arrived to Hawaiʻi without the help of humans via the 3Ws (wind, waves, or wings). It can be either endemic (found only in Hawaiʻi) or indigenous (native to Hawaiʻi and elsewhere).
Artwork highlighting non-native species, including Polynesian introductions, as well as native species exclusively endemic to other Hawaiian islands will not be accepted.
Artwork made of materials from an endangered native species will not be accepted. If a native species is used as a medium in an art piece, we strongly suggest to consider the purpose of using the native species or consider if there is a possible alternative. Please consider the place from which the species will be gathered from - is there a healthy population from which to gather? We also encourage to request permission - from the land owner and species itself. When you are picking, be sure not to introduce invasive species into the area, only to take what is needed, minimize damage to surrounding species, and show gratitude. If you have questions about your subject and whether it fits these parameters, please email Hawaii.Nei.Art@gmail.com.
Native Species Definitions & Resources
Both indigenous and endemic refer to native species (which arrived naturally to Hawaiʻi without the help of humans via one of the 3Ws - wind, waves, or wings).
- Indigenous is a species that is naturally found in Hawaiʻi, but also naturally found in other locations. A great example is naupaka kahakai - native to Hawaiʻi and also native to other Pacific islands. Most likely travelled around using ocean currents.
- Endemic is a native species that arrived to Hawaiʻi (via 3Ws), evolved over time, and is now found nowhere else in the world. Example - ʻōhia, its ancestor most likely came from New Zealand. It arrived here naturally then over millions of years evolved into a completely and genetically different species that's only found in Hawaiʻi.
Both endemic and indigenous species are acceptable for Hawaiʻi Nei. However, when a species is specifically endemic to another island then it is not eligible. For example, the Puaiohi, or Kauaʻi Thrush (Myadestes palmeri), is exclusively found in the Alakaʻi Swamp on Kaua‘i. We have been a little lenient on this when it comes to the youth artwork because this can be a really tricky concept to grasp.
We put together this short video (4 min) that might be helpful to watch if you are a more visual learner:
Hawaiʻi Nei Resource Page
Artwork Selection
All artwork will be processed online using the entry image. We ask the jurying team when selecting work to consider uniqueness of the native species, quality, craftsmanship, and overall presentation of the piece. We encourage artists to look beyond the well-known native species and explore the incredible diversity of our Hawaiʻi ecosystems including aquatic and marine. You will be notified by October 13th if your artwork has been selected for the exhibition. PLEASE UNDERSTAND that your artwork may still be juried out despite adhering to all the guidelines.
Important Dates
Submission window closes: October 10, 2025 (5:00 PM HST)
Artist notification: October 13, 2025 (4:00 PM HST)
Accepted Artwork Drop-off:
- Wailoa Center: Saturday Nov 1 from 10:00am-2:00pm
- Kona Frame Shop: Friday Oct 31 at 10:00am (artwork dimensions for transport cannot exceed 40"x40" including packaging)
The exhibition opens: November 7
Opening Reception: November 7 from 4:00pm-7:00pm
The exhibition closes: December 11
Artwork Pick-up:
- Wailoa Center: Thursday Dec 11 from 4:00pm-5:00pm or Friday Dec 12 from 10:00am-1:00pm
- Kona Frame Shop: Friday, December 12, 10:00am
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
$20 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.
Acceptance:
Artists will be notified by Monday October 13, 2025.
Sales
All selected adult entries are required to be for sale; youth entries are not. If artwork is sold during the exhibition, 60% goes to the artist and 40% will go to the Hawai‘i Island Art Alliance and the Three Mountain Alliance Foundation, which will help support fine arts in the community as well as native species protection and environmental education. Minimum sale price for artwork is $20. Artists may also donate their portion of the sale as a tax-deductible gift.
Juror Information
Scott Gorrell
Having lived in Arizona, Colorado, Alaska and now currently residing in Hawai'i, I have found much inspiration for my artwork. I graduated from the Colorado Institute of Art in 1983 and then moved to Juneau in 1984 where I worked at the advertising firm, Drawing Conclusions. After a year I left Drawing Conclusions and started my own business as a self employed commercial artist, much of my work consisting of logos and brochure design. In 1994 I moved to Kailua Kona; not much work in commercial art was available, so I went to work for a shopping center for a couple years followed by a resort in 1997 where I remained until 2013. I decided to try to work back into art; still not much commercial art work available so decided to try fine art. Now I work primarily as a fine artist and currently make paper sculptures. I enjoy experimenting with the depth and texture the medium offers.
Alex Wang
Alex Wang is a Wildlife Biologist for the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife and based in Hilo, Hawaiʻi who specializes in Hawaiian bird conservation. He has always considered himself an amateur wildlife photographer and photographing Hawaiʻi's unique wildlife has interested since getting a little point and shoot camera before volunteering out in the northwestern Hawaiian islands (Papahāhanumokuākea National Monument) in 2009. His interests in photography and Hawaiian birds go hand in hand. He graduated from University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo with his Masters degree in 2015, studying the critically endangered bird, the ʻĀkohekohe. Alex is fortunate that his work and passions have led him to travel and see all but one of Hawaiʻi’s endemic breeding bird species. He is happily married and when not photographing birds, likes to spend time with his wife and growing family including their dog, Hopper. And one day will finally see the last missing Hawaiian honeycreeper on his bird list, the ʻEkupuʻu, or Laysan Finch and photograph it with a much more grown up camera than his first trip to Papahānaumokuākea.
Awards
This year we will have a combination of awards as well as a small makana (gift) for participating artists.
About Hawaiʻi Nei
Millennium ago, a few hearty seeds and animals made it to Hawaiʻi and over time, they evolved into many different species, especially suited to the unique environment of our islands. Hawaiʻi Nei was created with the intent to celebrate these kamaʻāina while educating the public about these same organisms. Artists of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to learn more about the plants, animals, and habitats native to Hawaiʻi Island and depict these species in the media of their choosing. As a result, the exhibition features works from elementary students to renowned local artists; photography to sculpture: all focusing on the unique flora and fauna that makes our home distinctively Hawaiʻi.
Since 2009, Hawai‘i Nei has been a collaboration among the Three Mountain Alliance, a watershed partnership working across private, state, and federal lands to sustainably manage over one million acres for natural and cultural resources; the Hawaiʻi Island Art Alliance (HIAA), the Hawai‘i State Department of Land & Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and Hawaiʻi State Parks Wailoa Center, serving East Hawai‘i for over 30 years as a center of culture, arts, and information.
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.
Please click the "Legal Terms" button below to read all rules for entry.