Aloha OA! Celebrating 65 Years of Oceanic Arts; April 2022 - California Events

H Hamo Grand Member (3 years) Colorado (via Iowa) Joined: Aug 22, 2016 Posts: 2068	H Hamo Posted posted on Thu, Sep 1, 2022 9:45 PM Got an email from Peekaboo Gallery today announcing a tiki mug that also included this reflection on the April events and highlighted what it meant to LeRoy and Bob (emphasis added): The historic Aloha, OA! Exhibition, the books, the catalog and the auction for OCEANIC ARTS were life changing for us and, we hope, for you as well. Celebrating the life and work of Bob Van Oosting and LeRoy Schmaltz and their 65+ years in operation was emotional and a blast for everyone involved. Tiki fans from around the globe joined us both in-person and online in honoring these two beloved ‘Godfathers of Tiki’! The month-long series of ALOHA, OA! events were sublime with the magical OA warehouse transformed into a colorful Tiki wonderland. Visitors were enveloped by that special quality that has made Oceanic Arts such a beloved cornerstone of the Tiki world. We’d also like to thank all our crew, our entertainers and speakers, our guest bar hosts and staff, food vendors and both the City of Whittier and The Whittier Museum and Historical Society. We’d also like to reflect on the passing of a giant: LeRoy E Schmaltz. The outpouring of love and affection at the ALOHA, OA! Events and auction were truly blissful for LeRoy. He was so honored by all of you and as he said many times during these events, his heart was full. Bob is doing great and would like to thank all of you for your love and support.

Got an email from Peekaboo Gallery today announcing a tiki mug that also included this reflection on the April events and highlighted what it meant to LeRoy and Bob (emphasis added):

The historic Aloha, OA! Exhibition, the books, the catalog and the auction for OCEANIC ARTS were life changing for us and, we hope, for you as well. Celebrating the life and work of Bob Van Oosting and LeRoy Schmaltz and their 65+ years in operation was emotional and a blast for everyone involved. Tiki fans from around the globe joined us both in-person and online in honoring these two beloved ‘Godfathers of Tiki’! The month-long series of ALOHA, OA! events were sublime with the magical OA warehouse transformed into a colorful Tiki wonderland. Visitors were enveloped by that special quality that has made Oceanic Arts such a beloved cornerstone of the Tiki world. We’d also like to thank all our crew, our entertainers and speakers, our guest bar hosts and staff, food vendors and both the City of Whittier and The Whittier Museum and Historical Society.

We’d also like to reflect on the passing of a giant: LeRoy E Schmaltz. The outpouring of love and affection at the ALOHA, OA! Events and auction were truly blissful for LeRoy. He was so honored by all of you and as he said many times during these events, his heart was full. Bob is doing great and would like to thank all of you for your love and support.

Post #805303 by Hamo on Thu, Sep 1, 2022 9:45 PM