Aina and Art: Creation in the Garden

After listening to the desires and needs of our students, we decided to start a second afterschool program. After conversing with local fiber artist it was decided that an art focused afterschool program would be a great outlet for many students. Providing a space for them to create while also learning tangible skills that they may use one day should they pursue a career in the arts.

Helen Naho’opi’i, a local fiber artist has graciously come to WMS since the beginning of the year on a weekly basis to share with our students her knowledge and skills. Bringing her years of professional experience, time and supplies as well as her war heart for education. The program has been a success thus far and we are looking forward to starting next quarter a new cohort of students.

Over the course of the this last quarter the 1st cohort of art-students got the chance to create some amazing things. During the first lesson Helen introduced the students to traditional Japanese indigo dying. Beautiful vibrant shades of blue, that is all natural and comes from a plant! Following projects included created wool fabric and homemade soap bars with flowers dried from the garden. Broken glass mosaics and a rather complicated reed bird basket, but very stunning when finished. The final projects included silk scarf marbling using dyes and a seaweed base to create the marbling effect. Patience is probably the number one thing we have taught the kids during this time, art takes patience.

Many of the projects Helen has helped to teach the students, are all projects that could be done on their own at home, or when they are a little bit older for income. Helen used fiber arts to help her make a living here in Hawai`i by selling in stores and farmers markets. She is very passionate about inspiring young artists to see a successful future for themselves down the line. Also helping those that have a love for art, to channel that energy into something beautiful!