Contact: Current Events
(808)326-7820 FAX (808)326-5634
jvidgen@current-events.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

GEVALIA KONA COFFEE ART EXHIBIT SELECTS WINNERS

KONA, HAWAII'S BIG ISLAND(NOVEMBER 2007)—Kona coffee was the main theme for local artists competing at the Gevalia Kona Coffee Art Exhibit held at Outrigger Beach Resort. Competing artists submitted original artwork that contained a coffee theme to be eligible. Judges scored artwork on the following: composition, skill in using the medium, originality and the use of color and value.
The general public participated by casting their vote for their favorite Kona coffee artist in the People’s Choice Award presentation. The 2007 panel of judges were Ellen Crocker, Nora Judd and Theresa Fitzhugh.

Rita Cowell, Chair, Kona Coffee Art Exhibit, commented, “The quality of the artwork submitted gets better every year. Our artists enjoyed a brisk sales throughout the two days.”

Bobbi Caputo from Kailua Kona was the first place winner in the two dimensional division for her piece "Coffee Fields Forever.” The large acrylic on canvas portrayed the artist’s memories of growing up on a coffee farm. Linda Jo Kolder took first place in the three dimensional division with her intricate handmade stoneware vessels. Marion Stanton was the recipient of the 2007 People's Choice for ‘Kona’s Best,’ a brilliant watercolor depicting coffee cherries and leaves. Stanton has won this award two years in a row.

At the award ceremonies, winning artists received coffee related gifts donated by Gevalia Kaffe and the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort.

2007 Gevalia Kona Coffee Art Exhibit

Two Dimensional Art Winners
First Place, Bobbi Caputo
"Coffee Fields Forever"

Second Place, Naomi Nakashima
"Coffee Ice Cream"

Three Dimensional Art Winners
First Place, Linda Jo Kolder
"Kakuaa Kope"

Second Place, Barbara Denman
"Hawaii Ocean Life"

2007 Peoples Choice Award
First Place, Marian Stanton
"Kona’s Best"

Second Place, Barbara Denman
"Hawaii Ocean Life"

Third Place, Barb Finelli
"Bertch’s Coffee"

The 37th annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is Hawaii's oldest food
festival, celebrating 179 years of Kona coffee tradition and culture.

For more information contact Rita Cowell at (808) 328-9175. For digital images contact Jeannette Vidgen at (808) 326-7820 or email jvidgen@current-events.com