The Contemporary Museum – Makiki Heights
2411 Makiki Heights Drive, Honolulu, HI 96822
Main: (808) 526-1322; Exhibition Info: 526-0232; Café Reservations: 523-3362

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release January 9, 2009   

Contact: Charlie Aldinger, Director of Museum Advancement;
Ph: (808) 237-5231; Fax: (808) 536-5970; E-mail: caldinger@tcmhi.org
Web Site: http://www.tcmhi.org

Schaefer Portrait Challenge at First Hawaiian Center

One of Hawaii?s most influential surfers and shapers, Bob 'Ole' Olson will be one of the portraits featured in the Schaefer Portrait Challenge on view at The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center May 29 through September 11, 2009. The exhibition is organized and presented by the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

According to artist Charlie Lyon, Ole is a true charismatic surf ambassador and master shaper and his boards are made with a special touch of aloha. Ole is one of many "faces of aloha" that will be on view in the Schaefer Portrait Challenge. Tiny hula dancers, Filipino elders, children playing with chalk, skateboarders, a cancer survivor, and other surf legends including John Severson are among the portraits featured.

The Schaefer Portrait Challenge was first held in 2003 in Maui. The triennial exhibition was inspired by the acclaimed Archibald Prize portrait competition held in Australia. The statewide, juried competition includes 56 artworks by 53 Hawaii artists, representing Maui, Oahu, Big Island, and Kauai. The artists range from established figures in the art community to promising college students. They all competed for one of the biggest art competition awards in Hawaii including the $15,000 Jurors? Choice Award. Other monetary awards included a $5,000 People's Choice Award.

The Schaefer Portrait Challenge debut in Honolulu is the first time the exhibition has left Maui. Organizer Darrell Orwig, Schaefer International Gallery Director, said he was excited to see artists pushing the boundaries of traditional portraiture by creating stylized images or utilizing non-traditional materials like ceramic, a wooden surfboard, silk, and other mixed media.

In Honolulu, the exhibition is organized by Inger Tully, Curator of Exhibitions. It will be available for public viewing Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Admission is free. Free docent-guided tours of the exhibition will be offered on third Thursdays (June 18, July 16, and August 20) at noon in the lobby during the run of the exhibition. The First Hawaiian Center TCM gallery will also be open on First Fridays June 5, July 3, August 7, and September 4, 2009, from 7 to 9 p.m. Artist talks will be offered on First Fridays at 7:30 p.m. First Fridays gallery openings and artist talks are free.

In 1996, The Contemporary Museum opened this downtown gallery venue at the First Hawaiian Center in the heart of Honolulu?s busy central business district, which was hailed as "a unique marriage of commerce and the arts." Generously underwritten by First Hawaiian Bank, these galleries co-exist with banking offices and showcase art by current and former residents and artists of Hawaii. First Hawaiian Center is the tallest building in Hawaii and the world corporate headquarters of First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaii oldest bank and a multi-billion dollar company established by Charles Reed Bishop, consort of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop and founder of Bishop Museum.

For more information about The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center, visit our website at www.tcmhi.org; Exhibition Info: (808) 526-0232; Reception: (808) 526-1322.

See KITV's Mixed Plate review of the Schaefer Portrait Challenge at http://www.kitv.com/video/19586751/index.html

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General Information:

The Contemporary Museum - Makiki Heights

Entry: One-Day Membership Pass - $8 Adults; $6 Students & Seniors; Members & Children 12 and under are free. (Cost of a one-day pass may be applied to the cost of an annual membership on the day of issue.) It is always free to visit the Museum Shop or The Contemporary Café. Third Thursdays are free entry days! Museum and Shop Hours: Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday from Noon to 4 p.m.; Closed Mondays and major holidays. The Contemporary Café Hours: Tuesday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Sunday from Noon to 2:30 p.m. Café Reservations: (808) 523-3362. Docent Tours: Tuesday-Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Cades Library Hours: Tuesday & Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m.; or by special appointment. Parking: Free. On The Bus: #15 to Makiki Heights Drive-stops in front of the Museum. Address: 2411 Maikiki Heights Drive, Honolulu, HI 96822. Exhibitions/Events Line: (808) 526-0232. Tours/Administration: (808) 526-1322; Web Site: www.tcmhi.org. Membership: (808) 237-5219.

The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center: Entry: Free. Hours: Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Closed on weekends and banking holidays; First Fridays: 7-9 p.m. Docent Tours: Third Thursdays at Noon. Parking: TCM Members enjoy validated parking at FHC. Address: 999 Bishop Street, Honolulu, HI 96813.

 For all press inquiries, please contact Charlie Aldinger, Director of Museum Advancement, at (808)237-5231
or via e-mail at caldinger@tcmhi.org.