Celebrating Art and Resilience
For our June Graduate Contest, we embraced the theme "Aloha Lahaina," inviting artists to take a creative journey inspired by the vibrant culture and resilient spirit of Lahaina, Hawaii. This contest was a tribute to a place that has long been a haven for artists and art lovers alike. With the one-year anniversary of the wildfires of 2023 approaching, the theme encouraged participants to celebrate creation in the wake of devastation, drawing inspiration from the tropics, the culture, and those special places in our hearts that bring joy.
Contest Brief
The town of Lahaina, with its historic Front Street, once housed over 25 galleries showcasing works by renowned artists like Picasso and Dali, alongside local talents painting under the famous Banyan tree. This year, artists were challenged to submit works that capture the essence of "Aloha" – a word that signifies both hello and goodbye. By creating art that honors what was lost and celebrates what remains, we aim to keep the spirit of Lahaina alive.
Contest Winners
1st Place - Bojana Jovanović
"Heart of Lahaina" 50x70cm Mixed media with oil on top on gallery wrapped canvas
"I send million hidden hearts to that magnificent, strong tree!"
Instagram: @lokicca
Biography:
"From a young age, I found that expressing my emotions through art came naturally to me. Whenever I wanted to show someone affection or love, I would draw something for them. This gift of mine revealed itself as a profound need and cry after many years spent in a job that left no room for painting.
Creating my works makes me feel whole and unique. It allows me to reach into others' thoughts and emotions in a special way, something that deeply motivates and moves me. Each stroke of the brush is a piece of my soul, and through my art, I aim to share these fragments with the world.
Winning the June Graduate Contest has been an incredible honor and a significant milestone in my artistic journey. I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with others through my work and to continue exploring the depths of my creativity.
Thank you for taking the time to appreciate my art."
How Did You Find the Mastery Program?
"I found the Mastery Program through an Instagram story by Dimitra Milan, whom I had discovered many years ago on Pinterest. Interestingly, I rarely have the habit of opening links spontaneously, so I consider this a fulfillment of the phrase, "when the student is ready, the teacher appears." Each member of the Milan family has provided a mentoring connection in a surprising, deeply healing way that I can't adequately put into words. I'm grateful for having taken this step and listened to my inner voice that was screaming for creation."
How Has It Changed Your Art Career?
The Mastery Program has profoundly transformed Bojana's art career, giving her the courage and tools to dive deeper into her creative process. It has refined her technical skills and helped her connect more authentically with her audience, motivating her to continue creating and sharing her unique artistic vision.
Honoring Lahaina Through Art
"The Mastery Program has profoundly transformed my art career. It has given me the courage and tools to dive deeper into my creative process and express my emotions through my art. When I paint, the world becomes a more beautiful place, much like the butterflies in the stomach when you fall in love. This program has not only refined my technical skills but has also helped me connect more authentically with my audience, motivating me to continue creating and sharing my unique artistic vision."
2nd Place - Eleanor Birch
“Harmony In The Waves”
Mixed media on canvas. 30inx60in
Instagram: @artbyeleanorbirch
"I explored a little deeper into this cause and created a painting with a lot more meaning so I hope the research I've done shows that in this piece. The Lokelani Rose, Maui's flower, is on the left, while the rising sun represents new beginnings. Two turtles symbolize resilience and unity, with the baby turtle representing new life. I've included leis in the ocean as a tribute to those lost.
Not only must it have been terrifying but incredibly sad to see your home, livelihood and even loved ones taken in an instance. I can't imagine and I hope that the island is able to come together and rebuild what looks like a beautiful place. Sorry for your losses Maui"
3rd Place - Meryl Sidikman
"Beauty Out of the Darkness”
30” x 40”
Oil and cold wax, acrylic and spray paint.
"I meant to juxtapose the darkness and ash to the nature and beauty that can survive and arise out of the darkness"
Pictured: Milan Art Gallery Director, Jock Armour (right) with artists Dimitra Milan and John Milan in Maui, Hawaii
Judge Reflections
Jock Armour, the gallery director for Milan Art, shared his thoughts on judging this month's contest:
"This month's contest 'Aloha Lahaina' was especially difficult to judge as it calls up very personal memories and imagery for me given my many years living there. However, I wanted to view each submission objectively from the mind of the artist who has only their imagination for reference and inspiration. It was amazing to see how the theme was translated through the minds of so many artists; each submission was a personal journey I got to take to understand the artists and connect with them. This is the 'language' of art that sells; something universal that can translate emotion into the hearts of those willing to receive it.
Hawaii was a very special place for me personally, as it was where I first met the Milan family many years ago and has led me to the path that finds me here today! Lahaina town was one of the biggest communities of art and artists in the world and by participating in this challenge you help keep its memory alive. Aloha means both 'hello' and 'goodbye' in Hawaii; so we honor that which is lost by making sure it does not stay lost.
If there was one takeaway I could impart from this theme, it would be to continue using your gifts to speak to the world through art - it is now, and has always been, the language we speak that knows no limits."