Barnes & Noble Ala Moana w/Artists, Wyland and Peggy Chun

Press Release:

Barnes & Noble- “Hawaii’s Artists” Signings with Artists, Wyland and Peggy Chun, to Support the Wyland Foundation

Honolulu, HI (12/6/2007) – Barnes & Noble-Ala Moana is extremely honored to have two of Hawaii’s beloved artists, Wyland and Peggy Chun with Shelly Mecum, in the store for two spectacular events just in time for the holidays. These events will take place on Saturday, December 15th at 3:00pm for Wyland and 4:30pm for “The Watercolor Cat,” with artwork by Peggy Chun and text by Shelly Mecum.

Marine Life Artist, Wyland, is best known for painting large, outdoor murals of whales and other ocean life. Wyland has earned the distinction as one of America’s most unique creative influences, and a leading advocate for marine resource conservation. An accomplished painter, sculptor, photographer, writer, and SCUBA diver, he has traveled the farthest reaches of the globe for more than twenty-five years, capturing the raw power and beauty of the undersea universe.

Peggy Chun is known in Hawaii for her beautiful and often whimsical artwork. This watercolor artist, now fully paralyzed by ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, captures the “spirit of aloha“ in her paintings and thrives on sharing her love of the islands (and life!) with the world. This debilitating motor neuron disease, ALS, has yet to slow Peggy down. In 2003 she lost use of her right hand. She simply painted with her left. In 2004 a weakened left hand sent the paintbrush to Peggy's teeth. These days, with only her eye movement unaffected by the disease, Peggy now paints digitally with the help of a computer.

Both of these remarkable artists demonstrate, at opposite ends of the spectrum, the difference just one person can make, and, they have proven through their own actions, that nothing is beyond our abilities! So please join us for a one of a kind day at Barnes and Noble-Ala Moana, where everything is possible.

The Wyland Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 that strives to inspire as many people as possible to learn more about our oceans and aquatic habitats and the life within them, and to encourage people to get involved. Barnes and Noble will be contributing a portion of the sales flagged to go to the Wyland Foundation on Saturday, December 15th, all you have to do to participate is say that you’d like to support the Wyland Foundation when you make your purchase.

This event is free and open to the public, please call 949-7307 for more information.