Nā `Ōpio Youth Art
Youth Art Exhibit
The Na ‘Opio Youth Art Show is held every year in the month of March. This competition is open to grades 6 through 12 in the North and South Kohala and Hamakua districts – public and private schools as well as home-schooled children. Prizes are awarded in each grade. Since 2021 the show is held virtually and can be found on the Waimea Arts Council YouTube channel.
This popular event has provided an opportunity for young artists’ works to be shown to the public for many years, sometimes leading to their own one-person shows. Some students have gone on to professional art careers having had their start with the Nā `Ōpio.
Youth Art Month was founded in 1961 by the Crayon, Watercolor & Craft Institute, Inc., The predecessor of the Art & Creative Materials Institute , Inc. in cooperation with National Art Education Association, Inc. The propose was to “emphasize the value of participating in art for all children”.
Collaborative Projects
The 41st Annual Nā `Ōpio Youth Art Show, 2025
The Waimea Arts Council celebrates National Youth Art Month with the 41st Annual Nā `Ōpio (Youth) Art Show. Young artists in grades 6 through 12 from schools and homeschooled students in the North and South Kohala and Hāmākua districts have been invited to show their original works of art in this year’s show.
The 40th Annual Nā `Ōpio Youth Art Show, 2024
The Waimea Arts Council celebrates National Youth Art Month with the 40th Annual Nā `Ōpio (Youth) Art Show.
The 39th Annual Nā `Ōpio Youth Art Show, 2023
The Waimea Arts Council celebrates National Youth Art Month with the 39th Annual Nā `Ōpio (Youth) Art Show.
The 38th Annual Nā `Ōpio Youth Art Show, 2022
The Waimea Arts Council celebrates National Youth Art Month with the 38th Annual Nā `Ōpio (Youth) Art Show.
Special Projects
Humane Society
In July of 2016, WAC featured artwork of pets of all kinds and donated a percentage of all sales for that month to the Hawaii Island Humane Society. There was a reception that featured sketches done onsite of any pets brought it and adoptable animals brought by the Hawaiian Island Humane Society, Waimea branch.
