Artist Spotlight: Allegra Scribner

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

I was born and raised on Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi and come from a long line of generations on the island. Like those who came before me, I love my home and I'm passionate about preserving its health and all that makes it a sacred, special place. When I'm not picking up things from beach or making art, I enjoy spending time with loved ones and being outside, surfing, and training jiu-jitsu. 

When was the first time you visited the ocean and what was it like?

My family is deeply connected to the ocean so I was just always in it or around it, since birth. I don't have much memory of the first time, but I do remember the farthest I've ever lived from the ocean — it was about 45 minutes or so when I was in college in California. I realized that the distance between me and the ocean made me feel unbalanced and strange, so I would drive out after classes just to be near it. I also realize that 45 minutes is very close for most people, but for a Kaua'i girl, this seemed very far [laughs].

What inspires you and the art you create—including some of the great pieces you have created for our Found Objects Contest?

I think that I'm inspired by a challenge; ʻŌpala Art is a challenge where excellence, originality, and problem solving all collide. How can I use raw material washed up on the beach and arrange it into an original, elevated design? It's this personal challenge that drives me to try to rethink and reimagine whatever I'm collecting. I'm also inspired by how art has the ability to open the door for deeper conversation. For the Found Objects Contest, I chose to create wave designs because it's a gateway for dialogue about the issue at hand — ocean plastics and marine debris pollution. 

What is the most important thing you tell others about protecting our ocean, waves and beaches?

Instead of trying to tell others to protect the ocean, I think it's important to find a way to get people to care. Care and love for something will drive people to powerful action, more than being told what to do. Getting someone to care can happen through art, through education, or through cool initiatives led by inspired people. Shoutout to Ho'omalu Ke Kai for being a force for that on Kaua'i!

Anything else you’d like to add?

Mālama i kekahi i kekahi, mālama i ka ʻāina, mālama i ke kai. Take care of one another, take care of the land, take care of the ocean. 

If you get the first one right, the others become stronger.