Laila Twigg-Smith (12-12-44 to 3-24-98) was a well-known art collector, patron of artists and museums, artist and visionary. Included above is one of her paintings. Her lively spirit and incredible eye were apparent in everything she did--from the exhibitions she curated at The Contemporary Arts Center, to the development of her private art collection, and the founding and vitality of The Contemporary Museum. Laila was admired and esteemed as an ambassador for Hawaiʻi and its art, and she touched many with her generosity. Her ambition was always to inspire creativity, to be a catalyst, to galvanize action, to effect change and make a difference. The Laila Twigg-Smith Art Fund (LAF) continues this legacy in her name. It aims to nurture and promote Hawaiʻi as a global center for the exchange of contemporary arts and artists. LAF is intended to support projects and initiatives that afford artists opportunities to immerse themselves in new environments, to absorb different influences, and to realize fresh visions free of the issues of day-to-day survival.
LAF has an advisory committee of volunteer community members with expertise in the arts who provide recommendations on the fund’s strategy and recommend grant funding.
Artists in Residence
The Artists in Residence grant program funds innovative programs that provide an opportunity for recognized, outstanding artists (including but not limited to visual artists, writers, musicians, dancers, and other performing artists) to be in Hawai‘i for long-term residencies that actively involve Hawai‘i-based artists and the community. Residencies provide opportunities for Hawai‘i-based artists to learn from the artist(s) in residence through dynamic, engaging, meaningful interactions, which have the potential for long-term impact in the community.
HCF awarded 8 grants totaling $154,250 to support Artists in Residence programs during the period 8/1/2024-7/30/2025:
Donkey Mill Art Center - $24,450
Donkey Mill Art Center Artist Residency Program
The artists in residence for the Mill’s 2024-2025 Artist Residency Program include Sam Chung, a Korean American ceramic artist from Phoenix (September 14-22, 2024); Michelle Kumata, a Seattle-based multimedia artist (October 4-13, 2024); and Sonya Kelliher-Combs, an Inupiaq and Athabascan multidisciplinary artist from Nome, Alaska (March 17-31, 2025). Key activities for all residencies include workshops for local artists, showings of the artists’ work, artist talks, and community activities.
East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center - $6,000
JAVA – January Activities by Visiting Artists
The artists in residence will be Wakidi Dwijomartono and Kathryn “Kitisie” Emerson renowned gamelan musicians from Java. In January 2025, they will arrive in Hilo and share their expertise with Molten Blossom, a local Javanese orchestra. The artists will also provide lessons for University of Hawaiʻi Hilo students and will engage youth through Girl Scouts and local schools.
Hawaiʻi Contemporary - $25,000
Art Labor Residency - Hawaiʻi Triennial 2025
The artists in residence will be the Vietnamese art group "Art Labor". The group of 4 artists will meet with community members and Hawaiʻi-based artists to share and learn to prepare for creating a culminating artwork. Arts Labor will co-create a bamboo art and sound installation with local artists and residents. The culminating work will be installed in the Foster Botanical Garden from February 15-May 4, 2025, as part of the Hawaiʻi Triennial event, and include artist talks and performances of original compositions by Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony inspired by the artwork.
Honolulu Museum of Art - $25,000
Kenyatta Kelechi Artist in Residence
The artist in residence, Kenyatta Kelechi, is a Hawaiʻi-based Native Hawaiian artist. Kelechi utilizes the 19th-century wet plate collodion photography technique to examine concepts of indigenous Hawaiian identity and connection to family and place. An exhibition of Kelechi's work will be installed in the museum's gallery 14 with a second exhibition in the museum's library gallery. The exhibition entitled "Laulima" will illustrate the give and take between artist and subject and consider the relationship between historical documentation of Hawaiian culture and Kelechi's investigation of contemporary Hawaiian people and subject matter. Residency activities include a gallery talk with artists, artist conversations in the HoMA library, a Family Sunday and a Community Day event, and two artist workshops in the museum's art school.
Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center - $14,600
Ulana 'Ie Maui Junior Cohort with Kumulā'au & Haunani Sing
The artists in residence will be Native Hawaiian cultural educators Lloyd Harold Kumulā‘au Sing and May Haunani Balino-Sing. They will lead the Ulana ‘Ie Maui Junior Cohort, a 3-month intensive for 20 Maui high school students. From January – June 2025, youth will participate in an introductory weaving workshop followed by a 3-month intensive with weekend workshops held once per month. The workshops will include Maui-based weaving artists as assistant instructors. In May 2025, Hui No‘eau will present an educational exhibition of the students' completed artwork and will offer a panel discussion for the broader community.
Molokai Arts Center - $25,000
MAC Artist in Residence Program
The artists in residence program aims to provide visiting artists with a respite from daily responsibilities to enable them to create and concentrate on their work. Visiting artists also share with the local community to broaden awareness of the arts through workshops and artist talks. From September 2024 - July 2025, MAC will host 8 artists in residence including 4 Hawaiʻi-based artists. The artists include: Dr. Mary Hattori (writer), Alice Josefa Banks (printmaker), Audrey E. K. Higa (sewing/weaving), Angaea Cuna (multi-media), Duncan Berry (gyotaku), Connie Lynch (mixed media), Sheldon Wong (clay), and Cara Lee Wade (photography). Each artist will share with the community through a talk and/or workshops.
National Tropical Botanical Garden - $9,200
Artists in Residence - Botanical Illustration at NTBG
The artists in residence will be Pam Thompson and Sam McWilliams, who will lead 2 weeks of residency activities in Botanical Illustration including introducing basic botanical illustration skills as well as working with participants to refine and increase their skills. The workshops will be open to the public, with members of NTBG's Florilegium Society participating as well. The workshops will take place October 14-25, 2024, with an opening night reception and exhibit of participants' work culminating after the workshops.
Taiko Arts Center - $25,000
Edo Bayashi and Edo Kotobuki Jishi
The artists in residence will be master artist Kyosuke Suzuki who specializes in Edo Bayashi (Traditional Festival Music of Old Tokyo) and Edo Kotobuki Jishi (Traditional Lion Dance of Old Tokyo). Suzuki will conduct master classes in preparation for the celebration of local taiko artist Kenny Endo and will perform with the students. Following the celebration, Suzuki will teach public classes as part of the Summer Taiko Intensives (STI) and a week-long intensive in various taiko and related arts workshops. These opportunities will be available to advanced students and the public.
Interested in learning more about the Laila Twigg-Smith Art Fund? Contact Elise von Dohlen at [email protected]