Supporting Carol Ann Davis’ Vision

By Tommy Noyes

Arts Kaua‘i sponsored the Kaua‘i Songwriters event on May 10, with contestants vying to perform at the Hawai‘i Music Festival on the Big Island in June. The finalists were, back row, left to right, Seth Brown, Jordan Fite, Scott Stouder, and Mika Moon; and front row, left to right, winner Sabryn Rudinoff, Kenji Juravic, Skye Weaver and Taylor Fite (Saving Cadence). Photo by Terry Low

Carol Ann Davis passed away on March 29, 2019, long before she was ready. She will be missed. She infused our community with her enthusiasm and love of the arts. This month’s column celebrates her joyfully using art to enrich daily life with a few opportunities for your ‘ohana.

The Kaua‘i Academy of Creative Arts promises flights of fancy, new cool tools, no limits on how happy your keiki can get. The KACA runs their 2019 Summer Program from June 17 to July 12 at the Island School in Puhi, and offers limited scholarships. They provide Kaua‘i’s children with meaningful experiences in the arts by encouraging the growth and development of visual and performing art skills, appreciation and application in a wide variety of media. Visit Kaua‘icreativearts.org or call (808) 635-8661 for more information.

One of Carol Ann’s collaborators in promoting our island’s art scene was Carol Yotsuda, Garden Island Arts Council executive director.

“E Kanikapila Kakou is our premier Hawaiian music program,” Yotsuda said. “Every year, from February through April (and sometimes into May) the best Hawaiian musicians come to Kaua‘i for a real old time get together.”

Yotsuda compiles and distributes via e-mail an extensive Arts & Culture Calendar. Visit www.gardenislandarts.org to sign up for the calendar and support GIAC.

“I’ve just officially established a 501(c)3 non-profit called Arts Kaua‘i,” said Terry Low, president of Arts Kaua‘i’s new board of directors. “Our mission includes fostering an appreciation of the arts in general, primarily focusing on music, songwriting, and literary arts through lectures, seminars, study groups, public and classroom performances, exhibits, and all other appropriate means.”

Arts Kaua‘i has been focusing on songwriters as Kaua‘i Songwriters, hosting open mics, and supporting other music related nonprofits, especially the Hawai‘i Songwriting Festival. Arts Kaua‘i is now officially doing business as Kaua‘i Songwriters, holds an Open Mic for original songs, music and poetry on the third Tuesday of every month, from 6-9 p.m. at Paniolo Grill in Kapa‘a, and is working towards their next Kaua‘i Songwriters event in 2020. That event will be a forum for local songwriters and will solicit help from our strong, local, professional music community.

Tommy Noyes

Arts Kaua‘i also aspires to reintroduce a valued program, Celebrate Reading, that brought authors from around the world to Kaua‘i, encouraging students to read, gain local cultural awareness and develop a broader world view. Grants covered expenses including travel, honoraria for the authors, venues for the events, and purchasing books written by the authors for students in middle and high schools.

“I’m reaching out to all of you to help revive this wonderful program,” Low said. “Arts Kaua‘i needs your help coordinating events, selecting books, getting the word out to local schools, sponsoring the event, and securing new grant resources for an event in early 2020.”

Visit artskauai.org for more information.

Ensuring every day art for all by supporting these worthy efforts helps sustain Carol Ann Davis’ vision of a healthy, vibrant and artistically enthusiastic community.

•  Tommy Noyes is Kaua‘i Path’s executive director, a League of American Bicyclists Certified Instructor and active with the Kaua‘i Medical Reserve Corps.