Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718
USA
Flowers We Met Along The Way by John Dawson
August 21 – September 26, 2021
The Volcano Art Center will soon be displaying new paintings by Hawaiʻi Island’s wildlife artist John D. Dawson. The exhibit titled Flowers We Have Met Along The Way features twenty new acrylic paintings of scenes John encountered while working with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park from 1990 -2020. The exhibition will open to the public on Saturday, August 21st and continue through Sunday, September 26th, 9 am – 5 pm daily at the Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The exhibition will also be available online at www.volcanoartcenter.org
John D. Dawson was born and raised in San Diego, California. With the support of his parents, John was encouraged to follow his dreams of a career in art. John graduated from the Art Center School in Los Angeles, California which is now The Art Center College of Art and Design. John served in the Army Reserves while beginning his art career. Detroit, Michigan, and automobile art kept him occupied for a year after college when he returned to San Diego and entered the world of advertising. John’s gift of illustration offered him full-time employment for sixteen years while completing free-lance illustration jobs on the side.
Today one can find Dawson’s artwork included within the maps provided to visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park as well as the stunning educational display inside the Kilauea Visitor Center. One of Dawson’s proudest accomplishments is the Nature in America stamp series which includes a lush depiction of The Hawaiian Rainforest created for the United States Postal Service. Dawson’s resume includes many major assignments for the National Geographic Society, National Wildlife Federation, Audubon Society, United Nations and the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center, and has appeared in additional national publications. With decades of experience, Dawson’s work continues to captivate audiences.
“The collection of paintings on display for the Flowers We Have Met Along The Way exhibition is inspired by a decade of immersion within the dynamic landscapes found within Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park,” states gallery manager, Emily C. Weiss. “Excursions provided by park researchers and staff deepened John’s appreciation and knowledge of Hawai’i’s native flora and fauna which he freely shares through his art for us all to enjoy.” He credits Linda W. Pratt and park ranger Jay Robinson, since retired, for a decade of sharing their expertise and time with him and his wife Kathie on numerous hikes to locations both near and far in search of ideal specimens to observe in their natural environment.
John Dawson will be present at the VAC gallery on opening day, Saturday, August 21st from 11 am -1 pm. He will also be there on Sunday, Aug. 29th, Sept. 5th, 12th 19th, and 26th. Those wishing to meet the artist are welcome to the VAC gallery for the special opportunity to talk story with the artist from 11 am -1 pm those days.
For more information, visit www.volcanoartcenter.org or contact VAC Gallery Manager Emily C. Weiss at (808) 967-8222 or gallery@volcanoartcenter.org