Art collecting in Hawaii is often dictated by apartments with small walls, homes that are 80 percent windows, and, of course, budgets. And once a year, fine art that fits the budget and space requirements becomes far more affordable.

Two December shows pre­sent the opportunity for those of average means to collect a work by one of Hawaii’s fine artists: "Matchbox Plus IX" at Cedar Street Galleries or the "16th Annual Mixed Media Miniature Exhibition" at Koa Art Gallery at Kapiolani Community College.

Michael Schnack, owner of Cedar Street Galleries, calls every piece of art a treasure. The signatures read like a directory of Hawaii’s locally, nationally and internationally collected artists, plus some newbies who are just building a rep in the islands.

Some artists exhibit in both shows, with distinct works, including printmaker Deborah Nehmad, ceramic sculptor Sayoko Kay Mura, pastel artist Toni Martin, wood sculptor Mark Chai, eco-painter Loreen Matsu­shima and abstract painter Charlie Dickson.

Prices range from $25 to $1,600. Though some of the most "collected" artists’ work was sold on the first day, several hundred works are still waiting for a home.

What is a miniature, you ask? Miniature art has been worn as a brooch, painted inside tiny jewel boxes and inlaid into centuries-old ceramics. At the end of the past century, a revival of miniature work resulted in organizations of American artists dedicating careers to the genre.

Creating small art does not mean less work for the artist. George Woollard, artist and educator, says he loves the challenge of the mini­show: "The intimacy of the space means you have to think about the impact of your work in a different way."

Koa Gallery Director David Behlke calls these "the biggest mini­shows ever," with more than 300 entries. He points out gems like a rare Shuzo Uemoto photograph, windows into life by Hari­nani Orme, iPhoneography by Diana Nicholette Jeon, three intricate native bird paintings by John D. Dawson and a bamboo lacquer piece by George Woollard.

"Look at that," he says about the bamboo, "It jumps out at you, begs to be touched. The color just glows all the way across the room."

Both shows include lots of humorous works as well as "surprises" — unexpected pieces from artists. Schnack points out work by Neida Bargerter, director of the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, with titles like "Dog Boy" and "Ant Eater Girl," and Sean Michael Gallagher’s fired, glazed and altered lava rock. Both artists, he notes, are known for large-scale work.

Looking at the Erin Shie Palmer brass and silk 3-D sculpture, the size of his hand, he says, "Her work at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport stretches across an entire terminal, and looking at this brings the same feeling."

Alkyd oil pieces by Alan Leitner, icon of contemporary painting in Hawaii, are 4 by 6 inches in size but are easy to imagine at 4 by 6 feet.

As one customer said, "This choice, the roster of artists, makes me want to just close my eyes, point and buy."