Biography

Kala Nani’loa Surigao is a native Hawaiian, a Christ follower, an art lover, a people lover and a lifelong creative. Growing up, Kala has always been taught the value of artistic expression. She has always enjoyed drawing, painting, crafting, and creating. As she got older she realized that being an artist was something she would pursue for the rest of her life. Attending the University of North Carolina Wilmington, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art. Her work has been displayed in the Spring 2025 Senior Exhibit at the Cultural Arts Building gallery at UNC Wilmington. Her work has also been shown in the Mezzanine Gallery in the Cultural Arts Building at UNC Wilmington, as well as in the 2025 Boseman All-Student Show at UNC Wilmington. Kala uses a wide variety of mediums like ceramics, painting, pens, watercolor, calligraphy, pastels and graphic design. Her goal is to bring glory to the name of Jesus and share the gospel through her art. She wants to use the gifts she’s been given to the best of her abilities. Through ongoing personal pursuits like taking classes and teaching others, she continues to find new ways of being creative and learning. She wants to pursue art as a limitless means to create connection, conversation, and community.