Hualalai Academy: Mixed Media Course
Wow! Spectacular! These students, taught by Hadley Catalano provided incredible designs!
“My name is Hadley Catalano and I am a part time art teacher at Hualalai Academy in Kailua-Kona. Professionally, I am a freelance photojournalist, writing and photographing for Big Island newspapers, magazines and online travel guides. I have photographed for magazines in Boston and newspapers in Los Angeles as well as weddings, luaus, private portraits, benefit fundraisers and stock photo agencies.
“Manned with a BFA degree from Emerson College in Boston I have expanded my artistic world to include the young artists at Hualalai Academy.
“The school is a non-denominational, non-profit with an integrated curriculum and experimental learning focus. In my Middle School Mixed Media Course, I have been able to challenge the students to broaden their creative mediums and methods, beyond pen and paper, to that of, in this case, a turtle. The students will be testing their creativity, artistic in-sight, determination and responsibility through their participation in It’s a Honu World™.
“The class consists of 15, 6th to 8th grade students, 11 to 14 years old. All of these students are artists, personally selecting the Mixed Media course for their class elective. These students have all taken art classes before and many are skilled sculptors, illustrators and painters. There is no limit to their imagination and they are constantly producing and creating new and exciting art forms. Each one of these students, under Hadleyʻs supervision and guidance, will contribute his/her individual talent in collaboration of the project.”
SHAKA HONU – Zoolandah
By Artists: Allison Alterman and Jonathan Lomberg, Colton Fitzpartrick, Kelsey Winterrowd, Cory Martin, Buddie Sheehan, Sam Luchsinger. Assisted by teacher Hadley Catalano
The honu will be designed in the style of graffiti art, using paintball and spray paint. The word “shaka” will spread across the honuʻs back with the shaka symbol on its belly. The turtle will represent the newest art form on young artists with a positive message.
SIGN HONU – Turtle Crossing
By Artists: Hiro Ueno, Kelsey Winterrowd, Tristan Terry, Russell Laros, Nicholas Briley, Sam Gillis, Jacob Pollard, Zane Woodard, Kenny Hanson and Kully Kekaula. Assisted by teacher Hadley Catalano
The honu will be painted solid green, retaining the physical appearance of the turtle in color and features but covered, back and belly with hand-painted replicas of original Hawaii specific signs and bumper stickers. For example: ʻVolcano 90 miles,ʻ ʻDonkey Crossingʻ and ʻHawi Nice Day.ʻ The turtle will be a virtual “carrier” of the uniqueness of both natural and man-made wonders of Hawaii.
“We greatly appreciate the opportunity to be taken into account for this exciting project, participating with other great Big Island artists in this once-in-a-lifetime exhibit. It would indeed be a special opportunity for the children to be part of such a large scale and important installation. By partaking, my hope is that the children would be an encouraging, progressive example of positive role models for the community as well as their younger counterparts.”
-Hadley Catalano-
