A bit about me...
Aloha,
My name is Tiffany DeEtte Shafto. I have a passion for creating connections for artists and feel a strong drive to showcase Hawaii as the arts destination it truly is. I’ve seen and experienced many artists’ studios and I’ve come away with a changed perspective, one that’s given me a much deeper appreciation for the finished works of art and the artists who create them.
Seeing the needs of the arts community in Hawaii, I established Contemporary Publications in 2009 as a publishing company dedicated to promoting creativity and sharing the stories of artists. Over the last few years, my scope has grown to include marketing and promotion materials for local arts organizations, a growing number of websites, and additional book production.
It’s my belief that arts organizations should operate more like marketing organizations, particularly during these economic times. I believe everyone should be able to make a living doing what they love.
As an avid volunteer, I’ve served as the Secretary of Hawaii Artist Collaboration (a new nonprofit serving Hawaii county), a past president of the Hawaii Wood Guild and Hawaii Craftsmen, and a former Director of the national Craft Organization Development Association. While titles don’t mean much to me, these organizations have inspired me to work to make a positive difference for their members. Hopefully, it shows.
As I stated in my first book, Contemporary Hawaii Woodworkers, “I hope that as you read these pages, you’ll find your own inspiration–to collect art, to create art, to attend exhibitions, and to share these stories with others…. Finally, I hope that when you are given a big, positive idea, you’ll find a way to make it a reality.”
Now I’m onto my next big, positive ideas—Aloha Expressionism by Contemporary Hawaii Artists & Tiffany’s Art Agency to connect artists and collectors!
