Henderson City Hall is hosting an exhibition titled 'Siapo: Continuing a Siapo Legacy Art Exhibition,' showcasing the traditional Samoan art of siapo across four generations of artists. The exhibit features works by master artist Kuulei Jakubczak, who learned from her grandmother Mary Pritchard, a key figure in preserving this dying art form. The display includes both freehand siapo mamanu and rubbed siapo 'elei, along with pieces created by students from Liberty High School during a workshop led by Jakubczak.
The exhibition matters because it highlights efforts to preserve siapo, a bark cloth art form that has declined since European contact and is now at risk of being lost. By hosting the show at a municipal building and involving local students, the city of Henderson is connecting with its Samoan and Pacific Island communities, providing educational opportunities about cultural heritage. A special opening reception, 'A Night of Pacific Island Culture,' is planned for April 18, 2026, to further engage the public.