Give Gifts of Local Art at Annual Print Sale

If you're looking to get a little more creative than gift cards this holiday season, this weekend's annual print sale for Honolulu Printmakers is a great way to find unique and often one-of-a-kind creations of local artists.

"Impressions15" features fine art, notecards, frames, apparel, and other items crated by local printmakers, allowing discerning shoppers a chance to browse through portfolios and crates of woodcuts, etchings, screenprints and lithographs. And while people often assume "art" means "expensive," the sale includes items for every budget.

"In a relaxed setting and with friendly artists, this sale is the answer for people looking to avoid crowded malls and impersonal presents," notes the group. "Held only once a year, this sale is a fantastic opportunity to find exceptional artwork to keep or give as gifts, all while supporting the ongoing mission of the Honolulu Printmakers."

The organization has been around for 87 years, organizing exhibitions, workshops and lectures, operating a community-access studio, and conducting year-round outreach. Currently led by designer and college instructor Michael Harada and artist and art educator Regina Bode, Honolulu Printmakers also organizes printmaking classes with the Honolulu Museum of Art.

The print sale spans two days, Friday, Nov. 27 (from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and Saturday, Nov. 28 (from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). In addition, the group is hosting "Friday Night Prints" beginning at 5 p.m., a reception featuring live music by local singer-songwriter Chris Salvador and food and drinks from Pig & the Lady.

The annual print sale will be hosted at the Honolulu Printmakers' space at the Honolulu Museum of Art School (1111 Victoria Street).

But if you're unable to make the print sale, don't fret. Honolulu Printmakers also has a temporary holiday display inside MORI at Ward Warehouse, a pop-up store by Art and Flea that features Hawaii's independent creatives. The shop is open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

"Our pop-up shop at MORI is up and running [with] limited edition, hand-printed T-shirts, tote bags, and tool carriers as well as a selection of original prints donated by our members," the group notes. "The sales here and at Impressions15 are critical to supporting and furthering our mission of keeping printmaking vibrant and visible in Honolulu."

For more information on the group, follow @honprintmakers on Twitter, @honoluluprintmakers on Instagram, or connect with the organization on Tumblr or on Facebook.

Images courtesy Honolulu Printmakers. Colored pixel illustration by Noah Matteucci.