2023 Guests, Seminars, Panels, & Classes

Henrik Van Ryzin & Denise Van Ryzin make a variety of faux artifacts inspired by Polynesian Pop, adventure, exploration, and South Seas Mystery. Former Hollywood Artists (Henrik worked in Makeup FX, Denise in editing), they founded VanTiki Studio in 2001.  All VanTiki relics are created by hand, by us at the Mt. VanTiki Ranger Station tucked into the Oregon woods.

https://vantiki.com/

https://www.instagram.com/vantiki/

BigToe, aka artist Tom Laura was raised in Souther California on a steady beach-rat diet of Ed Roth, Mad Magazine and Surfer Magazine's Rick Griffin. His artwork, tiki mugs and other merchandise is created with a casual, tongue-in-cheek sense of humor and playful eroticism that offers a nostalgic escape in our fast-paced and ever-changing world.
As a student of Polynesian culture, traveling to the South Pacific has been a big influence. Tom has visited most of the Hawaiian Islands, several islands of Tahiti and the Society Islands, Fiji and Western Samoa. 
BigToe’s art is inspired by the confluence of Tiki, Kustom and Surf cultures. The fusion of these seemingly disparate lifestyles has always been an obvious one to the artist: All 3 are "outsider" scenes. The last vestiges of wild west renegade cultures, which were incubated in Southern California.
BigToe’s artwork has been featured in Art Galleries as well as Books and Magazines worldwide, including a survey of his art entitled “Gratisfaction: The Unaspirational Art of BigToe”.

http://www.instagram.com/bigtoeart

Website https://www.bigtoeart.com/

(photo credit : John Gillhoey)

John Brueggen is the Director of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park.  He helped develop and is the co-coordinator for the Crocodilian Biology and Professional Management course which is designed for zoo professionals working with crocodilians.  John is an Advisor for the Crocodilian Advisory Group and a member of the IUCN’s Crocodile Specialist Group.   In 2018, John was inducted into the Explorers Club.

     John and his wife, Jen, enjoy travel, and in the last ten years have traveled to Brazil, Indonesia, Peru, Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, South Africa, the Bahamas, Argentina, Peru, and they were married in Borneo.    They have participated in many scientific endeavors including crocodilian bite-force work, crocodilian color change, tool use of crocodilians, and man-eating crocodile prevention.   John was instrumental in designing and creating many of the Alligator Farm’s exhibits, including the Gomek Pavilion, a display of Papua New Guinea art and animals. 

St. Augustine, FL

HeadHunter Props and Fabrication is a turnkey design, build and installation company that is focused on fully-themed environments offering ultimate escapism with detailed, accurate and immersive decor.  Their team of artists runs the gamut of sculpting, molding, casting, paintwork, muralwork, design etc.  With extensive experience building for themeparks worldwide along with working with commercial and residential designers, architects and builders, HeadHunter Props creates spaces that go well-beyond the ordinary.  Rodney Ray is the Concept Designer, Creative Director and Primary Fabricator for HeadHunter Props.  He specializes in scenic material chemistry and composition and consults on most of the major theme park projects in Florida, California and abroad.

https://www.instagram.com/headhunterprops

A longtime journalist and blogger best known as creator of The Atomic Grog, Jim "Hurricane" Hayward covers Tiki culture with an emphasis on The Mai-Kai and its historic cocktails. He shares his experiences and recipes on his blog, which will celebrate its 12th anniversary in April.

One of the most popular features on the website is The Mai-Kai cocktail guide, featuring deep back stories and recipes for not only the current drinks but also "lost cocktails" from the past. His tribute recipes are favorites among home bartenders and have also been served in Tiki bars around the world.

Over the past three years, The Atomic Grog has been the most reliable source of information on the landmark restaurant's closing, sale and restoration. Hayward takes readers inside the hallowed halls with the latest news, photos, and exclusive insights you can't get anywhere else.
Events, Music, Art, Cocktails, Culture
theatomicgrog@gmail.com
http://www.TheAtomicGrog.com
https://www.facebook.com/atomicgrog
https://www.instagram.com/theatomicgrog/
https://twitter.com/theatomicgrog

As an Icelandic native, I have a deep love of connecting with beauty, nature, and mystery. Watching my grandfather Sveinn Þormóðsson sparked my curiosity for photography. His noted life as an Icelandic photojournalist inspired my own career in 2007. I have been fortunate to travel the world connecting with others from across the globe.

My photography finds its home in fantasy, creativity, and inspiration. My focus is on commercial, portrait, fine art, and retro styles of photography. Portland, Oregon is currently my home.

Having traveled far and wide, I have been fortunate enough to get great photos of amazing places and some passionately decorated home tiki bars across the USA. I have also been published in very well known magazines with among other things portraits shot in well known Tiki bars such as Golden Tiki in Las Vegas, Nevada, Aku Aku in Orlando, Florida and Devils Reef in Tacoma, Washington. Throughout the years my work has been published in over 50 different magazines and even dozens of their issues. 

Portland, OR

www.sveinnphotography.com

@sveinnphotography on instagram

Galleries of work

https://www.sveinnphotography.com/commercial-and-portrait-photographer-portland

https://www.sveinnphotography.com/portrait-photography-portland

 Dawn Mahealani Douglas is a Polynesian dancer with traditional training at a halau on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.  In this workshop, you will explore the history of Polynesian dances, instruments, and costumes.  Also, try learning a hula or picking up an instrument yourself! 

Visit Our Website:  http://dawnmahealani.com

Like Us On Facebook:  http://facebook.com/dawndouglastalent

Follow Us On Instagram:  http://instagram.com/dawndouglas1

We will have an entire track of classes and crafts, check out the tab at the top of the site.

Tie one on!  Learn to tie your lavalava, pareo, or sarong with Margo Scott of Rocket Betty Designs.   Join us as we take a take trip through the South Pacific islands to learn about the history of these traditional garments worn by men and women throughout Polynesia and beyond. We’ll learn how they are worn, by whom, multiple different ways to tie them, and what differentiates a sarong from a lavalava or a pareo. With Margo leading the class, you can bet that there will be hilarious demonstrations as well as time to try your hand at tying and wearing one.  Note: If you have a lavalava, pareo, or sarong please bring it and get ready to tie one on!

What was your first tiki mug?  Favorite drink?  First time you ended up with a lampshade on your head?

Come meet your fellow tikiphiles and learn about the DON'T MISS activities during the weekend.  If nothing else, come say hi to Jonathan. Newbies and old hands welcome.

Either way, you won't want to miss this because we will have small group Q&As, games, and a free prize inside!

Come and go as you like. This is brought to you and conducted by Jonathan of Horror In Clay.

Panel: Friday 3:00pm - 4:00pm in The Sandbar

TU Tiki Ambassador Tonga Tim Harnett published his first cocktail book!! 

 H. C. Warner has worked extensively over 30 years in the mediums of painting, print design, screen printing, murals, commercial exterior, interior conceptualization and design, sculpture, and film. Aside from his painting/sculpture compositions, Warner curated and installed the first Dragon Con Comics and Pop Art Show 20 years ago.

From the time he was young whipper snapper, H. C. Warner banished youthful ennui by transforming it into a tilt-a-whirl, Wonka-esque cabinet of artistic wonders. Taking the meat of his inspiration from his coming of age in the 1970s and 80s, he continues to translate that inspiration into the characters and worlds that eventually become the hallmarks of his art and vision. 

Warner graduated from the University of Georgia in 1991 with a BFA in Graphic Design. The vision is based upon the “Innocence” of youth producing imagery that connects with children as well as adults. Child-like nostalgia and memories reflecting the humorous and sometimes disturbing nature of life play an important role in his creative process. The use of the frequently rendered bee is a metaphor of “fear and love.” He feels these two emotions are the most commonly felt symptoms of human life and appears as a signature touch in many of his paintings.

H. C. has worked extensively over the years in the mediums of painting, print design, screen printing, murals, commercial exterior, interior conceptualization and design, sculpture and film. In addition to his formal training in art, he has gained significant knowledge and experience from the relationships he has developed with working artists. From 1998 to 2000 he earned his start curating a monthly series of solo artist exhibitions entitled “ArtChanges” highlighting diversity and local talent in Atlanta. During the past 20 years, his work has been seen displayed throughout Atlanta’s restaurants, shops, nightclubs and design houses throughout Atlanta. From 2003 to 2011 he owned and operated Alcove Gallery, producing monthly shows, designing and building installations in the heart of one of Atlanta’s most art-centric boroughs. Aside from his painting/sculpture compositions, “Munkeytown” and “The Secret Lives of Parasites” are two among the many of his latest projects presently emerging into the art world.

Freelance writer and reviewer Paul Senft has contributed to many print and digital outlets.  His work has appeared in Got Rum? Magazine, Alcohol Professor,  Flaviar.com as well as other publications covering a range of subjects related to Spirits, Travel and  cocktail culture.  Please  visit the Published work page for an archive of his work.

HeadHunter Props creates spaces that go well-beyond the ordinary. Rodney Ray is the Concept Designer, Creative Director and Primary Fabricator for HeadHunter Props. He specializes in scenic material chemistry and composition and consults on most of the major theme park projects in Florida, California and abroad.