Public invited to add a touch of paint to Capitol Pool art project until end of November

November 20, 2024
Artist Solomon Enos and text reading community mural make your mark state capitol pools project

Since August, artist and illustrator Solomon Enos has shared his paint brushes with people from across the state to add a mark on his design process for the Capitol Pool Waterless Project. 

“This project celebrates a little bit of individuality and our collective community,” said Enos, who is now making a last call to those who want to participate. 

Photo: participant adding a dot of paint to the mural.

From now till Nov. 30th, the public is invited to add a dot of paint to the mural, “like a drop of water to an ocean,” said Enos. He will be in the POD (Passion on Display) gallery, or the Multi-Purpose Room on the ground floor of Capitol Modern Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Capitol Modern will be closed on November 28, 2024. 

In March 2024, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) Board approved the selection of Enos to develop a design for a State Capitol waterless pool as a solution to the increased water damage and maintenance costs to the building. His design approach involves community participation, inspired somewhat by the concept of groups and individuals who worked together to build a loko iʻa, Hawaiian fish pond. Thousands from across the state have contributed small strokes on paper using a paintbrush that will be laid into the design.

“This is going to be one of the largest art installations in Hawaiʻi’s contemporary history and it is an opportunity for us to gather as much community engagement to create something that will be a community heirloom,” said Enos. “Folks will be able to return to it years from now and see the marks that were made here today.”

The State Capitol Pools art project is a multi-phase project that is managed by SFCA with completion by Fall of 2026.

Media Contact

Donalyn Dela Cruz
Telephone: (808) 216-4747
Email: [email protected]

Plan your visit

Photo: exterior of No. 1 Capitol District building.
  • Museum is closed on Thursday, November 28, for the Thanksgiving Day state holiday.
  • School groups welcome! Contact Shirley Lam at [email protected] or 808-586-0778 to organize a large group visit.
  • Making a special trip? Check with Rodney Acosta, Museum Visitor Services, at 808-586-9959 before heading over to make sure the artist will be there during the scheduled times.
  • Capitol Modern (Hawaiʻi State Art Museum) website: CapitolModern.org.

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