Schaefer Portrait Challenge 2025

A signature of Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Schaefer Portrait Challenge has been held as a triennial since 2003. This marks the eighth iteration of this statewide juried exhibition, which presents the unique diversity of the people of our islands through explorations in portraiture. The jurors for SPC 2025 are:Sonnet Coggins, Executive Director at The Merwin Conservancy, MauiMina Elison, Curator at Donkey Mill Art Center, Hawai‘i IslandWendy Kawabata, Professor of Art at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Oʻahu Exhibit Dates: January 14 - March 22, 2025 The Challenge carries three substantial cash awards:· The Jurors’ Choice Award for $15,000, sponsored by Carolyn Schaefer, will be selected by the jurors. · The Gene Freedman Artists’ Choice Award for $5,000 is a new addition to the exhibition, and will be selected by the vote of SPC 2025 exhibiting artists.· The Ruth Freedman People’s Choice Award for $5,000 will be based on the popular vote of gallery visitors.  These two awards are sponsored by the Eugene and Ruth Freedman Family Foundation and will be presented at a gallery reception on Sunday, March 16, 2025.  SPC 2025 Selected Artists:The jurors selected works by 40 artists from Maui, Hawai‘i Island, Lāna‘i, O‘ahu, and Kaua‘i.Adare, Neida B. Bangerter, Arnold Bornios, Mike Carroll, Jodie Chock, Eddie Flotte, Ingrid Frégeau, Jett Green, Barclay Hill, Jon Hunt, Ildiko Istvan, Camille Izumi-Page, Joyce Jeffers, Eduardo Joaquin, MinChong Kim, Jairus Kiyabu, Gloria Kniazky, Kirk Kurokawa, Lynn Liverton, Charles Lowrie, Richie Lucero, Laurna Malkovich, Ethel Mann, Deborah Masterson, Rachel Melander, Patrick Mizumoto, Penny Nichols, Jennifer Owen, Challys Pascual, Abbie Rabinowitz, Mona Rinaldo, Nichol Robinson, Wendy Romanchak, Joyce Schaunaman, Sakiko Shinkai, Damian Smith, Kathleen Storm, Eve Teraoka, Devi Town, Albert Weight Mahalo to the Eugene and Ruth Freedman Family Foundation for their generous support of the Schaefer Portrait Challenge.