East-West Center appoints new curator

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Michael Schuster, a specialist on Asian and Pacific arts, has become the new curator of the East-West Center Gallery.

Schuster, who served from 1999-2002 as the state's folk arts coordinator, joined the East-West Center in late January. He will coordinate gallery exhibits and other related programs at the center.

The former curator, Jeannette "Benji" Bennington, will continue as a senior consultant for the center's arts program.

Nearly 10,000 people attended East-West Center arts programs last year, including many school groups.

"We feel exhibitions can serve as a tool to increase understanding among the peoples of the region and to build a sense of community," said William Feltz, arts program coordinator in a press release.

"Dr. Schuster's broad experience with many art forms of Asia and the Pacific, including Hawai'i, makes him a valuable member of this team."

Schuster has studied Asian and Pacific arts for 30 years, training with master artists from India,

Burma, Indonesia and Japan. He received his doctorate in Asian theater programs at the University of Hawai'i, focusing on the puppet arts of South Asia. He also has been the recipient of a Fulbright grant and a grant from the Asian Cultural Council.

Most recently, he was the folklorist for the National Organization for Traditional Artists Exchange. He has served on several national panels, including the National Endowment for the Arts folk arts panel and the Western States Arts Federation committee on diversity.