Moso’oi Art Gala a huge success bringing in $10,000 plus for the artists

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A total of $10,611 was the total of the winning bids for the art work on display and auctioned off at this year’s Moso’oi Festival of Arts & Humanities Art Gala held last Saturday evening at the ASCC Multi-purpose Center, and 100 percent of the proceeds were paid directly by the bid winners to each artist.

This year’s Moso’oi Art Gala showcased a beautiful display of artwork offered in a variety of styles of art, by the more than 30 artists of all ages who participated.

The event was sold out and had a long waitlist of art enthusiasts and curious locals of various ages and walks of life seeking tickets for American Samoa’s most prestigious art show of the year.

And they were not disappointed.

The guests were entertained throughout the night by the witty and informative dialogue of co-emcees, the lovely Miss Moso’oi Nellie Tuigamala and Bahn Vaofanua, with everyone given the opportunity to place bids on their respective art pieces of interest.

Many of the artists were students ranging from elementary, high school, right through to community college level and such acknowledgement of their talent was very motivating for the young artists.

This year is the second annual celebration of Moso’oi festivities coordinated by the Agency for Better Living Endeavors (ABLE) and the Moso’oi Team.

ABLE is a non-profit organization founded by HC Afoa L. Su’esu’e Lutu & the late Etenauga Lutu, in 2004 to provide programs with the mission of improving the lives of local residents.

The month-long celebrations are being fully supported by the Amerika Samoa Humanities Council and the American Samoa Government through the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor.

The Moso’oi Art Gala this year was also organized in collaboration with the ASCC’s House of Flying Daggers Club.

 “The success of this year’s art gala was made possible by true community efforts not only by Moso’oi team members, artists but also all the volunteers that came together to setup for an unforgettable night and one that benefitted our artists,” ABLE Vice-President and project lead, Ammon Fepuleai told Samoa News.

An outdoor fashion show coordinated by Moso’oi Team member Isabella Ah Mu was another highlight of the night for the guests.

It also included a fun fashion competition made with recycled materials, which was won by designer Dauhara Puega.

The fashion art, visual arts and performances were also complemented by food art presented by ABLE board member and Moso’oi team member Devynne Fuga-Ah Mai. The guests were treated to savory and delicious food and cocktail options all made with locally-sourced ingredients.

The next event for this year will be the first ever Moso’oi Cultural Siva Competition which will be held at the Su’igaula Park at Utulei this Saturday evening, October 21, 2023. All seven local high schools will be competing and the show is slated to start at 5pm.