Ken Charon
Was born in New York on July 26th, 1954. He traveled to Europe at an early age with his family, and ended up calling Paris, France home from 1971 - 1983. During that time he studied art there, at the Academie Julian, as well as in Switzerland and at C.C.A.C in California. In 1978 Ken went to the Seychelle islands, off the coast of Africa, in the Indian Ocean, on a painting expedition. During those seven months the vibrant island landscapes, as well as the lifestyle captured his imagination. Before leaving Europe Ken exhibited his acrylic canvases several times in France, Switzerland, and finally at the Salon Des illustrateurs in Paris, 1983.
Since moving to Hawaii in 1984 Ken Charon’s paintings have been exhibited throughout the state and especially on the Big Island where he has won many awards. Among these include: Best Peace Art at the 1988 Aloha Peace Festival, held at the Kona Surf Convention Center in Kona; and 1st and 2nd price at the Fall Arts Festival, held at the east Hawaii Cultural Center in Hilo, 1933. He has painted murals, two of which can be seen at Malia Puka O Kalani Church in Hilo.
In 1990 Ken was invited to be part of a creative seminar in the Soviet Union. There he collaborated and showed with the International Association of the Astronomical Arts and the Soviet Artists Union in a travelling exhibit, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the first manned space flight.
Ken’s Summit Sessions, three times on Mauna Loa’s summit, and in 1998 in remote Waipio Valley have included over 40 artists both big and small, over the years. These group expedition / exhibitions offer the viewer a look at one beautiful experience through the eyes of different talented artists.
Ken enjoys working with Hawaii’s children and has done so since 1986 with the Artists In The Schools program, as well as in private lessons and summer camps. He has also worked with the developmentally and physically disabled with VSA arts.
In September, 200 he exhibited a retrospective of 60 works done over the previous 22 years entitled Enlightening Visions and in 2002 21st Century Works at the East Hawaii Cultural Center. During these recent years Ken received more awards. Among them were an Honorable Mention and the Recycle Hawaii Award at the 2006 Trash Show at the EHCC, and most recently in the Hawaii Nei show at the Volcano Art Center he received in award for the Best native Plant. Ken also exhibited in three Schaefer Portrait Challenges in 2003, 2012 and 2018 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Maui.
After over seven years as members of Ka Huina Gallery in Hilo, Ken and his wife, Rebecca opened Stairway To Art an artist’s cooperative dedicated to the freedom of expression, from 2011 till 2013. In 2014 Ken opened the Museum Store at EHCC’s Hawaii Museum of Contemporary Art also in Hilo.
Ken Charon lives and works at the Art Farm near Kurtistown. His distinct style illustrates a variety of images, including portraits, Hawaiian landscapes, endangered species, and thought provoking dreams in minute and colorful detail. His work has been exhibited internationally and is in private collections in the United States and Europe including that of Vice-President Al Gore and President Barack Obama.