Siapo and other exhibits by Reggie Meredith Fitiao and Pacific artists and museums, are currently on display at the East West Center Gallery.
Meredith Fitiao was among 17 cohort members of the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Summer Institute, from 13 native communities throughout Oceania. Erika Radewagen a volunteer curator for the Jean P. Hayden Museum was also part of the cohort.
They were taught about various aspects of artifact caretaking and culture and history.
The artists came together Friday, for the soft opening of a gallery that they put together, using knowledge and skills learned throughout their six-month program.
The Honolulu Star Advertiser reports– Meredith Fitiao, applied to the institution to find ways to inspire younger generations to consider going into the field of art and artifact care-taking.
But the knowledge, experiences and connections she wound up gaining were staggering, she said.
One of the standout experiences for her occurred at Iolani Palace.
“I knew that I was standing in a place where the queen was and to see her quilt, it’s just so touching,” Fitiao said. “You can’t help but fall in love with those things.”
The support and mentorship from cohort leaders throughout the experience was also more than Fitiao could put into words, she said.
“We got to make stronger connections with each other, understand what our plights are in each of the museums, and really the love that we share — there’s this real bond,”
The gallery that resulted is called “Weaving a Net(work) of Care for Oceanic Collections” and will be featured at the East-West Center Gallery from yesterday to Sept. 11th.
Photos: Honolulu Star Advertiser
