Wiliwili Tree Featured in Firehouse Photographic Show

The solo photography show “Infinite to Infinitesimal” features local artist Barbara Schaefer and runs through July, 2021 at the Firehouse Gallery in Waimea/ Kamuela. The show’s subtitle “100 Flowers, A Few Trees & The Long Views” illustrates Schaefer’s photographic interests from the Milky Way Galaxy to the tiniest flower. 

“A Few Trees” features blossoming Wiliwili trees under the Milky Way Galaxy. Proceeds from the sale of the Wiliwili images will benefit the Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative’s effort to save and reforest this ecosystem. Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative staff will be at the gallery on July 3rd and 31st from 11am-3pm to answer questions and provide Wilwili seedlings and growing advice to the community. 

“Wiliwili trees are available on a first-come-first-serve basis,”  says Jen Lawson of the Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative, “so come early, enjoy the wonderful exhibit, and take home a keiki tree! Wiliwili are integral to the lowland dry forests and to the people who live in these places. They are iconic in the landscape and are always changing in response to the seasons and climate. Their vibrant orange flowers are just emerging as we head deeper into summer, feeding pollinators, and bringing some color and excitement to the driest parts of our island. It is fascinating to see these beautiful trees through a different lens and this show gives us an opportunity to see the Wiliwili of Waikōloa from Barbara’s perspective.”

“100 Flowers” is a collection of more than 100 images, highlighting Schaefer’s passion for capturing the beauty of these wonders of nature.

“The Long Views” is a series of panoramic images meant to inspire those taking the “long view” toward the future, especially toward the 50th Anniversary Year of the Waimea Arts Council in 2024. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the panoramic images will benefit the Arts Council endowment fund to ensure the Arts Council’s viability into the future.

“My goal is to see and capture images in a different light, to notice details others might miss. Sharing these images, giving others the opportunity to also see, experience and enjoy them, is, for me, the most rewarding part of photography,” says Schaefer.  “A photograph is successful if it captures and communicates the sense of place and feelings or if it sets the viewer’s imagination free to roam, wander and wonder.”

There will be a special closing celebration on July 31st from 3 – 5 pm.

Firehouse Gallery is located in the old county fire station at the main intersection in Kamuela, at 67-1201 Mamalahoa Hwy. Regular hours are Friday-Sunday 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, plus additional days and times when the flags are flying. 

For special viewing by appointment contact Barbara: [email protected] or (808) 640-9270.