J. Jay West, Hawaii Abstract Artist
Email: j.jay.west@gmail.com
Born in Topeka, Kansas
Lives in Kamuela, Hawai’i
Education
BFA, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, 1981. Concentration in Structural Fiber.
Fellowship, January 2021, Kipaipai Artist Development Program, California
Media
2022, April – Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival, honored for 25 years as a volunteer. Hawaii Tribune-Herald, West Hawaii Today
2021, Dec. – Big Island artist showing small paintings inspired by the ocean, West Hawaii Today
2001 – Morning Talk Show, Artist interview, KHON-TV Honolulu, HI
1999 – TV Public Service Announcement, featured Recycled Art, w/musician Henry Kapono, Hawaii Dept. of Business and Economic Development, Clean Hawaii Center
1999 – Architect Magazine, Hawaii, recycled glass for homes
Invited Featured Guest Artist
2016 – Kohala Recycled Art Exhibition, Hawi, HI
2015 – Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival, Featured Art/Artist, Kamuela, HI
1999 – The Trash Show (Recycled Art), Hilo, HI
Artist in Resident
2003 – Artist-in-Residence, Kea’au Recycling & ReUse Center, Kea’au, HI
Created site-specific art, planned, and coordinated classes on upcycling materials into value-added art.
Community Volunteer
2011-2019 – Juror, International Peace Day Keiki Poster Contest, Honokaa, HI
2003-2013 – Board of Directors, Recycle Hawaii, Inc., Hilo, HI
2014-2021 – Board of Directors, Waimea Arts Council, Kamuela, HI
2002-2008 – Curator/Manager, Firehouse Gallery, Kamuela, HI
EXHIBITIONS and AWARDS
One-Person Shows
2018 – Still Standing, Installation, Wailoa Center, Hilo, HI
2011 – Trashformation, Firehouse Gallery, Kamuela, HI
2005 – Altered Matter, Kahilu Theater Gallery, Kamuela, HI
2004 – Emulsified Obsession, Firehouse Gallery, Kamuela, HI
2002 – Sculpture, Objects & Functional Art, Firehouse Gallery, Kamuela, HI
2001 – Almost Wasted, Firehouse Gallery, Kamuela, HI
2000 – Breaking Barriers, Firehouse Gallery, Kamuela. HI
Selected Group Exhibitions
Hawaii (*Award)
2022 Brilliance of Now, Kahilu Theatre, Kamuela, Jan.-Mar.
10x10x10 Artist Challenge, Wailoa Center, Hilo, May
Mosaic Artists of Hawaii, Wailoa Center, Hilo, Sept.
2021 37th Annual Founders Art Show, Firehouse Gallery, Kamuela*
The 2nd Half (50 or Older), online exhibition, Las Laguna Art Gallery, California
2020 Call + Response, Kahilu Theatre Gallery, Kamuela
36th Annual Founders Art Show, Firehouse Gallery, Kamuela*
2019 Transformative Forces: Creation through Destruction, Kahilu Theatre Gallery, Kamuela
Portal, Firehouse Gallery, Kamuela
2018 3rd Annual Contemporary Craft, Wailoa Center, Hilo
Abstract Only!, Wailoa Center, Hilo*
2017 2nd Annual Contemporary Craft, Wailoa Center, Hilo
A Climate of Change, Kahilu Theatre Gallery, Kamuela
2016 UpCycle 2016, Hawaii Museum of Contemporary Art, Hilo
Art Off The Wall, Kahilu Theatre Gallery, Kamuela
2015 Big Island Falls Arts Festival, Hawaii Museum of Contemporary Art, Hilo
Contemporary Fiber, Wailoa Center, Hilo
2014 The Trash Art Show, Hawaii Museum of Contemporary Art, Hilo
35th Annual Big Island Falls Arts Festival, East Hawaii Cultural Center Gallery, Hilo
32nd Annual Helen Cassidy Art Exhibition, Firehouse Gallery, Kamuela*
2013 Trash Bash Art Show, Hawi*
Bunka No Hi, Recycle Art Contest, Hilo*
2009 Women’s Invitational, Wailoa Center, Hilo
2008 24th Annual Helen Cassidy Art Exhibition, Firehouse Gallery, Kamuela*
20th Annual Hawaii Artists Recycle, East Hawaii Cultural Center, Hilo*
2007 Artists of the Big Island, Firehouse Gallery, Kamuela*
Spring Arts Festival, East Hawaii Cultural Center Gallery, Hilo*
2006 All Hawai’i Island Art Exhibition, East Hawaii Cultural Center Gallery, Hilo
22nd Annual Helen Cassidy Art Exhibition, Firehouse Gallery, Kamuela*
2005 Women Artists of the Big Island, Wailoa Center, Hilo
Arts Pacifica’s Bi-Annual Show, Firehouse Gallery, Kamuela
2003 Hawai’i Island Art Exhibition, East Hawaii Cultural Center Gallery, Hilo
Arts Pacifica’s Bi-Annual Show, Wailoa Center, Hilo
Fiber Hawaii, Gallery ‘Iolani, Honolulu
Big Island Photo Expo, Lyman Museum, Hilo*
19th Annual Helen Cassidy Art Exhibition, Firehouse Gallery, Kamuela*
2000 Big Island Art Guild Spring Art Festival, East Hawaii Cultural Center Gallery, Hilo*
12th Annual Hawaii Artists Recycle, East Hawaii Cultural Center Gallery, Hilo*
1998 10th Annual Hawaii Artists Recycle, East Hawaii Cultural Center Gallery, Hilo*
1997 9th Annual Hawaii Artists Recycle, East Hawaii Cultural Center Gallery, Hilo*
1996 8th Annual Hawaii Artists Recycle, East Hawaii Cultural Center Gallery, Hilo*
12th Annual Helen M. Cassidy Art Show, Kamuela*
1995 11th Annual Helen M. Cassidy Art Show, Kamuela*
1990 2nd Annual Jazz Festival, Kailua-Kona
1985 Hawaii Craftsman Show, Honolulu
Kansas
1982 Kansas Arts & Crafts Exhibition, Wichita
1981 Topeka Crafts Annual Exhibition, Topeka*
1978 Central Kansas Annual Art Exhibition, Great Bend*