Island Pacific Academy Grade 10 student, Kamiya-Lee Luchetti ‘26, has earned prestigious recognition as a 2024 American Visions Nominee in the Hawaiʻi Regional Scholastic Art Awards Competition. Her exceptional digital artwork, Kahikole, was one of only five selected in the state for this esteemed national award, which values originality, skill, and the emergence of a personal vision. One nominee from each region will be selected to receive a National American Visions Medal.
Kahikole is a stunning digital illustration depicting a woman gracefully dancing hula with ‘ili’ili, or river rocks. Inspired by her mother’s passion for hula, the piece beautifully captures the cultural richness and personal significance of the art form. Luchetti created this piece as a heartfelt tribute to her mom.
“My mom used to be a hula dancer. I know that for her, it was such a huge part of her life. I wanted to create the piece as a homage to her,” shared Luchetti.
Not only did Luchetti receive a nomination for American Visions, but Kahikole was also recognized with a Gold Key award. Additionally, she received a Silver Key for This Bed We’ve Made, an experimental piece exploring unconventional use of proportion and color, and an Honorable Mention for her photograph titled Unko, showcasing her ability to capture poignant moments and stories through imagery.
“[Unko] is a photo I took of a sweet old man I met helping out at the Plantation Village,” explained Luchetti. “He was alone all day, had a booth set up waiting for someone to stop by and hear him talk about his papa’s days on the plantation. He reminded me of my grandpa, so I asked for a picture.”
The Hawaiʻi Regional Scholastic Art Awards Competition is a prestigious platform that recognizes and celebrates the artistic achievements of young talents across the state. It provides students the opportunity to showcase their creativity and innovation in various artistic mediums, ranging from digital art to photography to sculpture and more. This competition not only serves as a showcase for individual talents but also fosters a supportive community of artists, mentors, and educators who are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of artistic visionaries. It aligns with IPA’s mission to empower students and inspire them to embrace their individuality and reach their fullest potential, both artistically and personally.
The national winners will be announced on March 21, and the Hawaiʻi Regional Scholastic Art Awards exhibit is open until March 23 at Capitol Modern, the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum. Congratulations, Kamiya, on this outstanding accomplishment! We are immensely proud of you and look forward to seeing your continued success in the world of art and beyond.
