By Chris Takahashi | Staff Writer 

The Koa Gallery at KCC will be unveiling a new exhibit dedicated to the life and art of the late Chuck Davis starting Monday, March 6. The exhibit will continue through March 18.

Davis was a prolific artist who called a humble studio in the back of Pālolo Valley home. Drawing inspiration for his artwork from travels wide and far, and using a variety of mediums from liquid acrylics to sculptures, the Honolulu-based artist also contributed greatly to the local art community.

“(Davis) was one of the pillars of the whole Honolulu scene,” said KCC Arts and Humanities professor Sharon Sussman over the weekend.

Davis studied at the Art Institute of Chicago after receiving a degree in journalism from Northwestern University. In Honolulu, Davis spent much time at the Honolulu Museum of Art (when it was formerly the Honolulu Academy of Arts) and taught art classes at the Linekona Gallery, which is associated with the museum.

Honolulu artist Debbie Young recalled fond memories of the late Davis. Young was previously an artist at the now-defunct Gallery at Ward Centre, a cooperative art gallery that featured Davis as a board member and co-op member. Davis also taught classes at the Gallery at Ward Centre.

Young shared that Davis had an “artful way of living life” and that he “touched so many people’s lives.” She also expressed her appreciation of his philosophy toward living, and the zen-like qualities that defined Davis.

Koa Gallery director, David Behlke, quipped that the late artist had plenty of “tongue-in-cheek” humor that could be found in some of his artwork. Behlke spoke glowingly of Davis’ passion and dedication to his craft, in which sometimes Davis would spend hours waiting for paint to dry in just the desired way.

“I believe the purpose of art is to share a vision, a unique way of seeing life and nature,” the Koa Gallery quotes Davis as saying. “The artist’s reward is in sharing the vision.”

The exhibit showcasing Davis’ work can be viewed in the Koa Gallery, which is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

A “Celebration of Life” for Chuck Davis will be held in the Koa Gallery courtyard on Saturday, March 11, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.