Newly Restored Charlot Mural to Be Dedicated at UH Manoa

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Posted: Jan 17, 2003

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa will be holding a dedication ceremony for the Jean Charlot mural entitled "Night Hula" on January 21, 2003 at 2:30 p.m. in Saunders Hall.

"Night Hula" joins several other murals from the Jean Charlot Collection on campus. The 9x15 foot mural, which depicts an ancient Hawaiian Hula scene at night, was originally created as a private commission for a law office in Waikiki. When building renovations were required in 1991, the mural was moved and donated by the Aluli family to Kamehameha Schools.

As a result of a storm, the Charlot mural suffered severe damage while at the Kamehameha Schools. The school was instrumental in raising funds to have the mural restored and The Jean Charlot Foundation, which was in charge of restoration, donated the mural to UH.

"Because of Charlot‘s association with UH, it seemed appropriate to donate the mural to the university. I think Jean Charlot would be happy with our decision," said Nancy Morris, Curator for the Jean Charlot collection and President of the Jean Charlot Foundation.

Laura Ruby, a UH Art department faculty member and her assistant, Martha Ridgley spent three years restoring the mural and replacing damaged tiles.

"I am delighted with "Night Hulas" new home. I saw the mural in its broken condition and I didn‘t think it could be fixed. Laura and Martha deserve highest praise for what they have done," Morris said.

Jean Charlot came to UH to create the first UH Mānoa Charlot Mural in Bachman Hall in 1949. He liked Hawaiʻi so much that he decided to make it his home after agreeing to be part
of the UH Art department. Jean Charlot has three additional murals on the Mānoa campus, two in Bachman Hall and one in the East West Center.