Isla Center for the Arts

Past Exhibitions

Isla Center for the Arts


Past Exhibitions

Spirit of Budo traveling exhibit

The Spirit of Budo: The History of Japan's Martial Arts

Exhibit dates:

  • Sept. 1 - Sept. 30: Isla Center for the Arts, University of Guam
  • Oct. 7- Nov. 7: Guam Museum, Hagåtña
Gallery Hours at the Isla Center for the Arts:
  • 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
  • 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Saturday 

The Japan Foundation and the Consulate-General of Japan in Hagåtña (Guam) in partnership with the Isla Center for the Arts, the University of Guam, and the Senator Antonio M. Palomo Guam Museum & CHamoru Educational Facility, Department of CHamoru Affairs, is honored to present the traveling exhibition The Spirit of Budo: The History of Japan's Martial Arts.

The exhibition explores the evolution of Japanese martial arts. It features combat techniques (Bujutsu) to popular sports or physical exercise while tempering body and spirit (Budo).

The first half of the exhibition is devoted to displays of reproductions of historical weapons and implements, such as sword mountings, bows, arrows, helmets, and suits of armor. It focuses on the development and changes of Japanese martial arts from the 8th century to the 19th century.

The second half of the exhibition deals with the contemporary practice of martial arts evolution from the 19th and 20th centuries and how the spirit of martial arts is still inherent in the daily life of Japanese people today.

Throughout the exhibition, visitors will explore the significance of the various Japanese martial arts as a philosophy and art form, rather than as just a form of combat or sporting activity.

This exhibition has traveled around the world since 2007. It has been on display in more than 75 galleries and museums in more than 45 countries.

NOTE: Due to the current COVID restrictions, mask wearing and social distancing will be enforced.

For more information about the exhibition at the Isla Center for the Arts, please contact Dr. Velma Yamashita, Coordinator, at yamashitav@triton.uog.edu.

With kind thanks to:
  • Guam Nikkei Association
  • Guam Visitors Bureau
  • Galaide Group LLC 
 
 
 


University of Guam 2021 Senior Exhibition: Ephemeral Equilibrium

Tea Master - Princess Hippo by Sujin BecThe University of Guam Senior Exhibition is an annual exhibition showcasing the work of the graduating fine arts seniors. The showcasing artists are evoked by their self journey and emotional expressive thoughts, and whenever creating new art, they have an ephemeral feeling. Equilibrium is the balance we all share living our daily lives and when we create artworks.

The exhibition has works created by 10 graduating fine arts seniors.

View the Virtual Exhibit

 

 

 


University of Guam Undergraduate Exhibition 2021

The University of Guam Undergraduate Exhibition is an annual display that features the works of fine arts students. This year, the virtual exhibition includes 108 two-dimensional and three-dimensional works created by 17 fine arts students.

"Thinking Wig" by Hunter Orland
Best in Show and Best in 3D Design: "Thinking Wig" by Hunter Orland
Fine arts faculty selected these students to receive the following best in show awards:

  • Best-in-Show for Environmental Art Works and Best in 3D Design: Hunter Orland
  • Best in Ceramics: Sydney Prudente
  • Best in Charcoal: Chie Collard
  • Best in Digital Art: Anthony Gallego
  • Best in Pencil: Stephanie Verroya
  • Best in Ink: Yenni Liao
  • Best in Painting: Sarah Johnson
  • Best in Printmaking: Akihisa Matsunaga
  • Best in Sculpture: Madison Orland
  • Best in Watercolor: Tonya McDaniel
  • Honorable Mention in Watercolor: Roybert Bautista         

You will get to know these students through their artwork, artists’ statements, as well as the audio and video files throughout the website. Students explain why they chose fine srts as a major and describe their experience as a student during the pandemic, and some of the Best-in-Show artists share details about their creative process. 

The pandemic pushed the Isla Center to feature virtual exhibitions in place of the displays in the gallery. This is the Isla Center's fourth virtual exhibition, and we continue to explore and embrace this online platform. The Gallery Management and Exhibition Design class put together the website. Special thanks to Alecsandrew Gan, Margaret Espino, and Sydney Prudente for uploading, editing, and organizing sections of the exhibition.

This exhibition will be online until June 30, 2021.

View the Virtual Exhibit


Fine Arts Faculty BiennialFine Arts Faculty Biennial
Dec. 5, 2019 - Jan. 24, 2020

The Isla Center for the Arts is will feature the UOG Fine Arts Faculty Biennial that will include recent works created by University of Guam Fine Arts faculty members. Current works of art produced by full-time professors Lewis Rifkowitz, Irena Keckes, and Ric R. Castro as well as adjunct instructors Victor Consaga and Perry Perez are featured in this exhibition that includes an array of media, such as ceramic sculptures, acrylic paintings, prints, photographs, and digital images.

  • Lewis Rifkowitz earned a B.F.A. from the Kansas City Art Institute and an M.F.A. in ceramic sculpture from Montana State University. Since 1989, Rifkowitz has taught courses in sculpture, ceramics, threedimensional design and environmental art.
  • Ric R. Castro has a B.F.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.F.A. in painting from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Castro teaches classes in painting, design, and illustration.
  • Irena Keckes is the most recent addition to the Fine Arts faculty. She holds a B.A. in Art Education from the Academy of Fine Arts, University of Zagreb in Croatia, an M.F.A. in Printmaking from the Tokyo University of the Arts in Japan, and a Ph.D. in Fine Arts from Elam School of Fine Arts, the University of Auckland in New Zealand. Dr. Keckes teaches printmaking, drawing, and basic design.
  • Victor Consaga, who currently teaches the photography classes, is a Guam resident and professional photographer. He received his training through his experience while on staff at Latte Magazine and the Pacific Daily News.
  • Perry Perez graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California and holds a BFA in Advertising Illustration. He has over 20 years of experience working as a graphic designer/illustrator. Perez is teaching the graphics art courses, the newest additions to the Fine Arts/Art program.

 


 

Connections

Connections: Senior Art Exhibition
May 2 - June 1, 2019

“Connections” is the senior exhibition for fine arts and art majors at the University of Guam.

A project of UOG’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, “Connections” features works of art in the themes of nature, human figures, and culture. The exhibit features 15 students — the largest number ever featured in a senior exhibition — whose artwork includes prints, acrylic and watercolor paintings, ceramic sculptures, and illustrations.

The 15 student artists are below:

  • Marlo Abrenilla explores the world’s hidden treasures — crystals — by delving into their physical connections and spiritual properties. She combines their crystalline structures and vibrant colors into functional pieces of art.
  • Brian Carpo shares his vision of life and adventures in another world through his prints and sculptures. His art is inspired by his love for fantasy web novels, manga, and anime.
  • April Colitoy explores the deeper connection within intergenerational relationships simply by showcasing the linking features of her own lineage. Through her watercolor portraits, she strives to tell the stories connecting one generation to the next.
  • Gino Datuin’s paintings explore the aspects of our relationships with others and ourselves, especially within a tight-knit community such as Guam’s. He embraces brushstrokes in an attempt to create an appreciation for our natural human tendencies.
  • Hand-pressed and sewn together, Elisa Dizon’s works are how she views what she considers a large part of her life. From catering to family meals, food has been a big part of her life and family.
  • Break down what you really see with Noel Jimenez’s nature scape paintings. Take a closer look at how simple the island’s natural, vivid artworks really are through acrylic paint and brushstrokes.
  • Immerse yourself underwater and explore the marine life with Koholāli’i Maertens and her oceanic sculptures. Observe the interaction between her culture and the marine life and the effects our lifestyles are playing on them today
  • Aundrya Manglona’s art focuses on the natural and unspoiled beauty in land that is significant to the CHamoru culture. Aundrya centers her acrylic paintings around generating and holding onto a botanical and tropical haven focused on locations specific to the southern villages of Guam, where she was raised.
  • In Azuki Matsumoto’s works, she explores and examines the beauty in nature and brings it to life through sculptural and paper cutting art in hopes that it will bring back awareness of our planet’s life.
  • Be drawn into Daena Perez’s works by the mesmerizing spirals that call out to you and let it spur on your emotions. Is it radiant like the sun or luminous like the moon?
  • Explore Joann Quan’s perception of nature brought by the combination of 2D and 3D art. Her artwork creates scenes of idyllic life that could be achieved if people were more informed.
  • Christopher Taijeron takes you on a journey that expresses the Chamorro culture and family significance through his carvings.
  • Isabel Taijeron is our only digital artist and portrays humans of pop-culture. Keeping up with trends in fashion, movies, TV shows, and music, Isabel interprets some of her interests into aesthetically pleasing graphic drawings with simple colors and shadows that stand out and appeal to the eye.
  • Tomoe Tani’s art will grab your heart as a symbol of her respect and admiration of the unity between CHamoru and Japanese cultures. Her art is inspired by Guam’s endless energy to keep a positive view of life.
  • Trees, leaves, and all of the greens are carved carefully into the world in which Camille Zapata’s art resides. Explore her ideas about the nature of growth and the duality it possesses within the human condition.

 


Undergraduate Student Exhibition
March 21-29, 2019

Noodles Beach Date Growing

“Aiden, Cup O Noodles”

by Sarah Johnson

“Beach Date” by Roybert Bautista

“Growing” by Trinity Feliciano

The University of Guam Undergraduate Student Exhibition included 68 works of art created by UOG undergraduate students enrolled in the various studio classes. The pieces were selected by Fine Arts faculty and include ceramics, digital artwork, drawings, paintings, prints, and sculptures.

The student artists selected for the display were: Roybert Bautista, Sujin Bec, Nathaniel Kyle Belangue, Erika Cho, Victorino C. de la Pena, Mica Ebbat, Christel Ferrer, Anthony Gallego, Alecsandrew Gan, Dan Jardeleza, Sarah Johnson, Song He Jong, Dominique La Coste, Jordan Limtiaco, Tonya Dee McAuliffe McDaniel, Christianna Pacificar, Amberlyn Pangelinan, Bobbie Pitts, Sydney Prudente, and Joleen Unas.


 

21st Annual Art-a-thon Exhibition
Feb. 1, 2019 - March 1, 2019

Isla

The 21st Annual Art-a-thon Exhibition featured selected works of art created by students who participated in the 2018–2019 Isla Art-a-thon, a competition to promote the involvement of students in the arts and to raise funds for the center and for art programs in the participating schools.

Sunset at the Beach

Sunset at the Beach

By Edward Jamie

This year’s exhibit included more than 65 works selected from more than 950 students from 24 schools who participated in the Art-a-thon. Students from elementary, middle, and high schools produced their works using a variety of media, including crayon, pastels, colored pencils, ink, graphite, collage, mixed media, watercolors, and acrylics.

The competition raised more than $34,400 this year, up from $32,000 and $29,000 the previous two years. Forty percent of the funds, or about $13,790, will be returned to the participating schools to purchase art-related materials for the students. Another 40% goes to programming at the Isla Center for the Arts, and 20% goes toward prizes for the students.

The project is supported in part by the University of Guam. Corporate sponsors include Fish Eye Marine Park and Matson Foundation.

Untitled

Untitled

By Taelor Mafnas

 

Los Capricos
May 7 - June 19
The exhibition features a complete set of 80 aquatint prints from the series
"Los Caprichos" by Francisco Goya.


 

Pieces of M.E. Exhibit Photo

Pieces of M.E. (Multicultural Expressions)
May 7 - June 19
This exhibit features UOG seniors in the Fine Arts program.

 


 

John Dierking's Masters Retrospective Exhibit

John Dierking's Masters Retrospective Art Exhibit
April 22 - April 29
Featured a variety of works created by Dierking as a student in the UOG graduate art program.

 


  

Isla Art-A-Thon 2008-2009

Isla Art-a-thon 2008 - 2009
March 5 - April 17, 2009
An exhibit of selected works by school children.

 


  

Isla's 2nd Art Festival

Isla's 2nd Art Festival
March 6, 2009
The Second Art Festival hosted a number of different vendors from local artists and businesses.

 


  

Creative Hands Pacific

Creative Hands: Pacific
December 4, 2008 - January 30, 2009
Is a jurored exhibition that features 35 works of art produced by 17 artists from the Micronesian region.

 


 

The 3rd Annual Silent Art Auction
November 12 -13, 2008
A fundraising event selling different types of artwork.

 


 

Japanese Pottery: The Rising Generation from Traditional Japanese Kilns
August 28 - October 3, 2008
The exhibition featured over 70 ceramic pieces produced by 35 artists from Japan and their interpretation of the exhibition theme, vessels.

 


 

Diverse Perspective: UOG Senior Art Show 2008
May 15 - June 27, 2008
This exhibit features UOG seniors in the Fine Arts program.

 


 

Isla Art-a-thon
March 28 - April 28, 2008
An exhibit of selected works by school children.

 


 

A Journey Home: Camp Roxas and Filipino American History in Guam
February 7 - March 21, 2008
An interpretive photographic exhibition which details the 60-year history of the Camp Roxas Ilonggo community in Guam through archival photographs and interpretive panels.

 


 

UOG Art Faculty Biennial '07
December 6, 2007 - January 28, 2008
An exhibit of recent works created by University of Guam Fine Arts faculty members.

 


 

Paul Jacoulet’ s Vision of Micronesia
October 11 - November 24, 2007
This exhibit features over 200 blockprints of Paul Jacoulet, a French artist who traveled in the 1930s and 1940s throughout the Micronesian islands including Guam.

 


 

Japanese Toys: Traditional and Contemporary
August 9 - September 28, 2007
An exhibit of over 80 different toys ranging from those made of natural materials such as bamboo and wood to more modern media such as plastic and metal.

 


 

New Harmonies! Celebrating American Roots Music
April 19 - May 26, 2007
Organized by the Smithsonian Institution, this exhibition will feature descriptions and some audio clips of music known by names like blues, country, western, folk, jazz and gospel. The music tells the stories of the people and tracks the unique history of the people who, together, create the diverse and complex country of the United States.

 


 

Isla Art-a-thon
February 23 - March 30, 2007
An exhibit of selected works by school children.

 


 

Art of the Pacific Rim: Works by Selected Artists
December 7, 2006 - January 26, 2007
Is a jurored exhibition that features 65 works of art produced by 26 artists from the Micronesian region.

 


 

Japanese Contemporary Clay Works
August 17 - September 29
This exhibit showcased 44 works of clay from 29 Japanese artists. The distinctive individualistic works in the exhibit were contemporary yet at the same time showing tradition of Japanese ceramic works and reflects age-old Japanese sensibilities.

 


 

Printed Treasures

Printed Treasures
June 13 - July 28, 2006
This show highlights the Isla collection of works of print masters.

 


 

Isla Art-A-Thon 2006

Isla Art-a-thon
April 7 - May 12, 2006
An exhibit of selected works by school children.

 


 

Hasso Manenggon

Hasso Manenggon
February 18 - March 24, 2006
A display of documentation of oral interviews and photography that record the experiences of those who were held at the concentration camp in Manenggon, Yona during World War II.