POW! – It’s the impact that art has on a person. WOW! – It’s reaction that art has on a viewer.

Together they form POW WOW, which is a Native American term that describes a gathering that celebrates culture, music and art.

POW! WOW! Hawaii was founded by Hawaii resident and artist, Jasper Wong in 2010. This week-long celebration of urban art and culture has grown internationally with POW! WOW!’s in Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Texas, Washington D.C., Taiwan, Massachusetts and California. Each POW! WOW! celebration includes gallery shows, lecture series, schools for art and music, mural projects, and concerts. POW! WOW! Hawaii happens every February and this month’s blog features some of festivities from this year’s celebration.

Pow! Wow! Hawaii Concert Finale with Steve Aoki. Picture Credit: Pow! Wow! Hawaii

Picture Credit: Pow! Wow! Hawaii

Mural created by Hawaii Artist, Woes. Picture Credit: Pow! Wow! Hawaii

Mural created by PichiAvo. Picture Credit: Pow! Wow! Hawaii

Collaboration piece by Kevin Lyons and Woes. Picture Credit: Pow! Wow! Hawaii

Mural by Ouizi of Detroit. Picture Credit: Pow! Wow! Hawaii