State of the Arts 

October 31, 2013 By The Editors, for MODERN LUXURY HAWAI'I

Compared to New York’s world-famous institutions or Miami’s glittery Art Basel, Hawai‘i’s arts scene is admittedly smaller scale. But there’s hidden treasure on these shores, namely, a close-knit community of artists, aficionados and philanthropists who quietly (and tirelessly) work for art’s sake. Here, our look at the creative, generous forces who energize and inspire the islands.

Kelly Sueda: The Trustee Artist
Bolstering his already storied career as a painter and collector, Honolulu artist Kelly Sueda recently became a trustee of Honolulu Museum of Art. At age 40, Sueda has long been celebrated for his exquisitely detailed and poetic island landscapes (everything from Mauna Kea Beach to North Shore’s pineapple fields), rising in the art scene while just in his 20s. (Several of his works are part of the museum’s collection.) A longtime museum supporter, Sueda has organized the Museum Collector’s group and chaired events like last year’s Kama‘aina Christmas and this year’s ConTempo gala. Now as one of three new trustees tapped to steer the organization forward with fresh ideas, Sueda says it’s time to give back. One of his biggest goals is to expand arts education in Hawai‘i. As the father of two young children, he believes creative learning is essential for the next generation, and he hopes the museum can offer even more opportunities for arts exploration via its highly acclaimed school. He also has volunteered to help with the Museum Collectors program, where patrons pay dues to take part in private events, learn the intricacies of art collecting, meet dealers and tour local collections. The effort is one of the museum’s key fundraising programs. “I was attracted to becoming a trustee because I saw it as a great opportunity to do something for the community,” Sueda says. “It’s a real honor to be put in a role to help others. Hopefully, I can make contributions to make the museum grow and expand.”