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Art

Visual and performance arts stories on Molokai

Library of Local Talent

Thursday, December 18th, 2014

Library of Local Talent

Molokai artists ushered in the holidays last week, gathering to share their work at the Public Library in the third annual art show of Molokai Arts Center (MAC) members.

“To me, it’s a chance for the organization to thank individual artists and for them to get some exposure – and to see themselves as professional artists,” said potter Dan Bennett, MAC Treasurer and founding member. “We have to push some to enter because they don’t think their art is good enough, which to me is absurd.”

Art in all colors, shapes and sizes – ranging from the useful to the whimsical – made an appearance at the show, representing at least 30 member artists, Bennett said.…

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Bennett Pottery Celebrates 40 Years

Thursday, November 20th, 2014

Bennett Pottery Celebrates 40 Years

Bennett Pottery News Release

On Nov. 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bennett Pottery celebrates 40 years of making ceramics on Molokai.  Since 1974, potter Dan Bennett has been creating unique stoneware and porcelain utilitarian ware at a reasonable cost for the Molokai community.  Bennett is a founding member of the Molokai Arts Center (MAC) and teaches ceramics for University of Hawaii Maui College on site, as well as beginning and intermediate classes for adults.  He can be found at the MAC teaching three days each week.

Aside from a wide range of pottery designed for functional use, this year features some small sculpture pieces of animals and structures, as well as work from salt and raku firings.…

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A Look Into Kalaupapa Life

Wednesday, October 1st, 2014

A Look Into Kalaupapa Life

When many people think of Kalaupapa, images of exile, suffering and disfigurement come to mind – stories from history books that tell a horrific tale from outside eyes. A photo exhibit that opened at the Molokai Museum and Cultural Center in Kalae last Saturday seeks to depict the people of Kalaupapa in a new light.

“So much of [Kalaupapa’s] history is based on other people’s accounts and often sensationalized and just not true,” said Valerie Monson, coordinator for Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa, the organization sponsoring the exhibit. “[The exhibit’s goal] is to capture history in their own words and the images they chose.…

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Pinot and Painting

Friday, September 26th, 2014

Pinot and Painting

Last Wednesday, 12 adventurous Molokai residents, with paint brush and palette at the ready, tried their hand at acrylic painting as the sun set behind Tante’s at Hotel Molokai. The Art Bar workshop, offered by the Molokai Arts Center, was the first of its kind on the island, but is part of a growing national trend to make art fun and accessible.

Guided by instructor Laura Pilz, graphic designer at The Molokai Dispatch, participants recreated a photo of a colorful heliconia flower.  While the painting came together, attendees also enjoyed the company of new friends and a beverage from the bar.…

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Kalaupapa Photo Exhibit Opens

Thursday, September 25th, 2014

Kalaupapa Photo Exhibit Opens

Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa News Release

“A Reflection of Kalaupapa: Past, Present and Future,” an exhibit of about 100 photographs of Kalaupapa and her people will open at the Molokai Museum and Cultural Center in Kalae on Saturday, Sept. 27, with a blessing at 10 a.m.

Opening day festivities, open to the public, will run through 2 p.m. The museum will waive entry fees on that day only. The exhibit will be on display at the museum through Aug. 29, 2015.

The exhibit was produced by Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa, a nonprofit that includes Kalaupapa residents, family members/descendants and friends of the community.…

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Children’s Theatre for Fall Break

Wednesday, September 24th, 2014

Molokai Arts Center News Release

Molokai Arts Center announces a new Fall School Intercession program Oct. 6-9 all about the art of theatre performance.   The Hana Keaka theatre classes, with Kumu Maile Naehu, will be for kids ages 5 to 11, held at the Molokai Arts Center studio, located at the beautiful Coffees of Hawaii location in Kualapu`u.

In four days, the Hana Keaka classes will introduce students to acting storytelling and movement, voice exercises, and end the series with a final family performance.  Children will be welcome to stay during the lunch hour to help with painting a backdrop for the final performance. …

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Butterfly Garden Tiles

Friday, September 5th, 2014

Butterfly Garden Tiles

Community Contributed

By Frances Feeter

The butterfly garden at the Molokai Public Library established earlier this year by Chevy Levasa received added adornment on Saturday, Aug. 23.  Thanks to the hard work of keiki and kupuna of the Molokai Art Center who spent many days creating and decorating the creative and unique tiles, the ceramic squares were placed around the butterfly-shaped garden.

Several children were present to lay their tiles around the butterfly-friendly plants that continue to attract these fluttering friends in the heart of Kaunakakai.  Monarchs have been enjoying host and nectar plants of milkweed, cosmos and crown floor.  Small blue butterflies tentatively identified as Hawaiian blues are flitting around the rattlepod plants.…

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Kalaupapa Photo Exhibit  

Friday, August 8th, 2014

Kalaupapa Photo Exhibit  

Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa News Release

“A Reflection of Kalaupapa: Past, Present and Future,” a photo exhibit sponsored by Ka `Ohana O Kalaupapa, will open with a blessing on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 11:30 a.m. at historic Paschoal Hall in Kalaupapa. The free exhibit, hosted by Kalaupapa National Historical Park, will be available for viewing on days to be determined through Sept. 12.

The exhibit features nearly 100 historical and contemporary photos of the residents of Kalaupapa and their family members along with scenes from Kalaupapa. Most of the contemporary photos were taken by acclaimed Hawaii photographer Wayne Levin who began his work at Kalaupapa in 1984.…

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Honoring the Departed

Thursday, August 7th, 2014

Honoring the Departed

The scene could easily be transpiring in Japan: dancers swaying rhythmically under a sea of twinkling paper lanterns, surrounded by an array of Japanese delicacies, their movements narrated by Buddhist chants. Yet this is no ordinary Japanese festival – this is Molokai’s annual Bon Festival, held two weeks ago on the lawn of the Molokai Guzeiji Soto Mission Buddhist Temple.  Although the scene itself was enchanting and lighthearted, the significance of the celebration was serious: a commemoration of the spirits of loved ones who have passed.

While the Bon Festival is traditionally a time to be reunited with the spirits of the deceased, organizers say the event is also an opportunity to appreciate life and honor Japanese culture and heritage on Molokai. …

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ArtAloha! Summer Art Activities

Thursday, June 19th, 2014

Community Contributed 

By Heather Williams

Open Studio and Keiki Art Classes will be held every Wednesday from 1 to 5 p.m. Projects of focus for June and July are painting murals of the ocean life and natural/found object mosaic murals with focus of malama for the ocean. Collaborative and individual works of artistic techniques and concepts will be developed.

The art show of the Global Art Project for Peace opening will be held on Friday, June 27 from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. with art activities and pupus.  Stop by on your way to the beach! The art will be on display every Wednesday 1 to 5 p.m.…

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