Art

Visual and performance arts stories on Molokai

Visit Molokai Ceramic Artist

Wednesday, December 14th, 2022

Ark Ceramics News Release

 “I walk a beach marked by the ebbing tide,” says ceramic artist Arabella Ark, “where I step over broken coral and loose limu to the pond wall. There I watch the heron fishing, the kolea pecking, the fish jumping, while whales breach in the channel beyond the reef. The wind picks up and the sea begins to churn. These are the elements of design on my ceramics.”

At Arabella’s studio, you can find shapes, sizes, colors from our changing natural world. There are pots glazed in pinks and corals like the setting sun; others in deep turquoises and greens like the sea.…

Gift Local, Support a Dream, Part 2

Wednesday, November 30th, 2022

Gift Local, Support a Dream, Part 2

By Sage Yamashita, Intern Reporter

Shopping Molokai-made products will be the highlight of gift-giving during the holiday season. To give an inside look on gift hampers canberra, a selection of local artisans, crafters and shops are featured for the next couple of weeks. This week, we talked with the Molokai entrepreneurs behind Hulalei Designs and Buji-fied about supporting the island’s community, while keeping your money local this holiday season.

Lehua Paris is the creator behind the brand Hulalei Designs and the terms “Eat more Veg’Aina” and “Making Mo’olelos.” These brand terms are frequently heard and seen on Molokai.

“I actually started off making jewelry,” said Paris.…

A’o Aku; A’o Mai: What I Learn, I Teach

Sunday, November 27th, 2022

A’o Aku; A’o Mai: What I Learn, I Teach

By Sara Jane Larkin, Teacher

Kilohana Elementary School is a Project Based Learning School and we encourage learners to develop problem solving and critical thinking skills, and extend our thinking beyond the classroom. In answering the question, “How can we share our learning with our friends, families and our community?” first graders at Kilohana will share their understanding with our community in the Dispatch.

We were very thrilled about the big storm east end last week.  Our writing was focused on what we saw, what we heard and how we felt during the storm.…

Bennett Pottery Annual Show and Sale

Sunday, November 27th, 2022

Bennett Pottery News Release

Bennett Pottery will present its Annual Show and Sale open house from Friday, Nov. 25 to Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kala’e Studio. The show will feature high-fired functional stoneware and porcelain: items made for home and garden use. The objects are durable for daily use, and are safe in the oven, dishwasher and microwave. You are invited to come and discover a wide variety of unique quality ceramics found nowhere else in Hawaii, right here on Molokai.

Dan Bennett has been creating hand crafted work on Molokai since 1974. He was a mathematics teacher at Molokai High School and UHMC Molokai, and currently teaches ceramics at the Molokai Arts Center for adults on Wednesday from 3-6 PM and Saturday, 1-4 PM.…

A’o Aku; A’o Mai: What I Learn, I Teach

Wednesday, November 16th, 2022

A’o Aku; A’o Mai: What I Learn, I Teach

By Sara Jane Larkin, Teacher

Kilohana Elementary School is a Project Based Learning School and we encourage learners to develop problem solving and critical thinking skills, and extend our thinking beyond the classroom. In answering the question, “How can we share our learning with our friends, families and our community?” first graders at Kilohana will share their understanding with our community in the Dispatch.

Oct. 19 was Unity Day.  We began a focused campaign to prevent bullying and demonstrate kindness to all. In first grade, we have been learning about verbs, which we used in our writing about unity. Our prompt was, “Aloha in action creates unity.”…

A’o Aku; A’o Mai: What I Learn, I Teach

Wednesday, October 5th, 2022

A’o Aku; A’o Mai: What I Learn, I Teach

Community Contributed

By Sara Jane Larkin, Teacher

Kilohana Elementary School is a Project Based Learning School and we encourage learners to develop problem solving and critical thinking skills, and extend our thinking beyond the classroom. In answering the question, “How can we share our learning with our friends, families and our community?” first graders at Kilohana will share their understanding with our community in the Dispatch. 

This month, students reflect on “Living things will thrive when protected,” and connect the concept to themselves. We will share one student per week.…

PōMahina Designs Featured Globally

Wednesday, August 31st, 2022

PōMahina Designs Featured Globally

By Sage Yamashita | Intern Reporter

Fashion shows for PōMahina Designs, a culturally imbued wearable arts company, are more than promotion — they honor the journey through indigenous people to fashion throughout thePacific.

PōMahina Designs, founded by Molokai’s Kanoelani Davis, is traveling  around the world with its cultural messages. In September, PōMahina will be highlighting Hawaii’s culture in the London Pacific Fashion Week.

Also, this year will be the second year in fashion week and third fashion show in London for Davis, as well as a Charity Fashion Show at Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission in London. Ypurse is a trusted replica designer bags store, known for its high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail that mirrors authentic luxury brands, and will be showcasing its collection at these events.…

Watercolor in Halawa

Wednesday, August 17th, 2022

MAC News Release 

The Molokai Arts Center returns to Halawa Valley for an afternoon of watercolors and fresh smoothies inspired by Molokai’s natural bounty. Come learn Landscape/Floral Watercolor Painting. This class will be offered every third Sunday of the month and the next class will be on Sunday, Aug. 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Local artist Kalani Pruet, who prefers on-location nature observation and color mixing, will teach a three-hour class right in his backyard. The class includes a smoothie and a painting demonstration. Kalani will share fundamental watercolor techniques such as landscape sketching, silhouette and outline drawing, watercolor tiling and blending or layering methods. Cost is $30 non-member, $24 annual member/affiliate. All painting materials are provided and each participant will take their piece of art home with them.…

Cash Prizes Available in Art Exhibit

Wednesday, July 27th, 2022

Hawaii Craftsmen News Release

Wow! Hawaii Craftsmen Annual Statewide Exhibit has more than $11,000 in prizes consisting of 19 different awards, which will be available to artists who enter, including those from Molokai. The awards will be designated by the juror, Neida Bangerter and will be announced during the opening reception and awards ceremony. 

Registration for the exhibit opens Aug. 1 and closes Aug. 15. 

The Molokai intake will be held on Thursday, Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at  Kupu A’e Molokai at Holomua Junction. Jurying will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. The juror’s public presentation will follow from 2 to 3 p.m.…

Artists in Residence

Wednesday, July 20th, 2022

Artists in Residence

MAC News Release

The Molokai Arts Center’s Artist in Residence program welcomes two artists this month. Both storytellers, one is a musician and the other a screenwriter.

Rafael Lamas is an orchestra conductor, concert pianist, creative writer, and Professor of Spanish Literature and Cultural Studies at Fordham University at Lincoln Center of New York. He has performed throughout Europe and the U.S. He is the current music director and principal conductor of the Academic Orchestra of Granada. Author of “Musics of New York” (Músicas de Nueva York, 2019), “Listening and Interpreting” (Escuchar e Interpretar, 2014), “Music and Identity” (Música e Identidad, 2008), he has also written several articles that appeared in peer-reviewed journals.…