Art

Visual and performance arts stories on Molokai

Molokai Artist Receives National Cultural Fellowship

Wednesday, February 9th, 2022

Molokai Artist Receives National Cultural Fellowship

First Peoples Fund News Release

First Peoples Fund, the oldest national Native-led organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous artists, has selected 12 individuals from across the country as recipients of the 2022 Cultural Capital Fellowship.

Local artist Kanaka Maoli Hawaii, Kanoelani Davis of Molokai, was named as one of the fellows. An artist whose artforms include regalia, jewelry and weaving, Davis will receive a $7,500 project grant, technical support and professional training over the course of the year.

“We deeply believe in the transformative power of artists and culture bearers to strengthen and uplift communities,” said First Peoples Fund President Lori Pourier (Oglala Lakota).…

Meet the Artists: Victor Lopez Orozco

Wednesday, February 9th, 2022

Meet the Artists: Victor Lopez Orozco

Community Contributed

By Na Heona Molokai

Na Heona Molokai (Artists of Molokai) is a group creating an exhibition titled “No Stop Light: Molokai” for the 3,600 square foot Downtown Art Center in Honolulu, in May 2022. In the coming months, we will introduce each artist.  

What is your name and where are you from?

My name is Victor Lopez Orozco. I am from Mexico, and I have been on Molokai almost 26 years.

What brought you to Molokai?

I came to build fences for Molokai Ranch.  I worked there for about three years and after then the crew moved to Honolulu or Big Island, but I decided I like Molokai. …

Meet the Artists: PF Bentley

Thursday, February 3rd, 2022

Meet the Artists: PF Bentley

Community Contributed

By Na Heona Molokai

Na Heona Molokai (Artists of Molokai) is a group creating an exhibition titled “No Stop Light: Molokai” for the 3,600 square foot Downtown Art Center in Honolulu, in May 2022. In the coming months, we will introduce each artist.  

PF Bentley grew up in Waikiki in the 60s and 70s and first came to Molokai in 1971 while a student at UH Manoa.  He graduated UH in 1975 with a B.Ed degree while working his first photography job at Sunbums Hawaii shooting music concerts for the publication.  In 1976, Bentley moved to San Francisco and later to New York for photojournalism opportunities, eventually returning home to Hawaii. …

Meet the Artists: U’i Kahue-Cabanting

Thursday, February 3rd, 2022

Meet the Artists: U’i Kahue-Cabanting

Community Contributed

By Na Heona Molokai

Na Heona Molokai (Artists of Molokai) is a group creating an exhibition titled “No Stop Light: Molokai” for the 3,600 square foot Downtown Art Center in Honolulu, in May 2022. In the coming months, we will introduce each artist. 

What is your name and connection to Molokai?

My name Is U’i Kahue-Cabanting. My ohana is now five generations DHHL beneficiaries in Ho’olehua.  I am a cultural practitioner/kumu, community activist and political candidate. 

Describe your art.  

‘Ulana Niu is the art of weaving with coconut.  Most people equate ‘Ulana Niu with woven bowls or a hat and not much else, as it is considered a novelty or a souvenir, even a lost art. …

Meet the Artists: Arabella Ark

Wednesday, January 26th, 2022

Meet the Artists: Arabella Ark

Community Contributed

By Na Heona Molokai

Na Heona Molokai (Artists of Molokai) is a group creating an exhibition titled “No Stop Light: Molokai” for the 3,600 square foot Downtown Art Center in Honolulu, in May 2022. In the coming months, we will introduce each artist.  

What is your name and your art form?

My name is Arabella Ark, and I am a Ceramicist.  Ceramics entered my life through the backdoor after I moved to Hawai’i. Prior to that move, I had been trained, schooled, and worked in the theatre: as an actress and director.   I earned a master’s degree in dramatic art at University of California at Berkeley, acted with the Greek National Theatre and San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theatre, produced numerous plays in California, France and Hawaii, and wrote drama and art criticism.…

Annual Soup ‘R Bowl in March

Wednesday, January 26th, 2022

Annual Soup ‘R Bowl in March

MAC News Release 

The 12th annual Soup ‘R Bowl fundraiser will be held on Saturday, March 5, at Lanikeha Community Center in Ho’olehua.

The unique fundraiser, featuring ceramic bowls made by Molokai artists and a hearty soup meal, benefit the Molokai Arts Center (MAC), the island’s only nonprofit arts education organization. Potters have been busy making new bowls (photo of first kiln of 2022) to choose from.

Save the date, mark your calendars, and watch for online ticket sale information coming soon.

 …

Contribute to Arts Education Funding

Thursday, January 13th, 2022

MAC News Release 

The Molokai Arts Center (MAC) is honored to once again participate in the annual “Aloha for Hawaii Charities” fundraising opportunity, in conjunction with the Sony Open PGA Tour tournament. These funds help keep MAC’s youth and senior arts classes at an affordable rate and allow the MAC to provide workshops in ceramics, mixed media, Hawaiian arts, and performing arts throughout 2022.

Here’s how it works. Donations to the MAC through friendsofhawaii.org will trigger a bonus boost (up to 40 percent) from funds raised at the Sony Open by Friends of Hawaii Charities! Donations made to Friends of Hawaii Charities are tax-deductible because it is a nonprofit tax-exempt charitable organization.…

Meet the Artists: Ikaika Bishaw-Juario

Thursday, January 6th, 2022

Meet the Artists: Ikaika Bishaw-Juario

Community Contributed

By Na Heona Molokai

Na Heona Molokai (Artists of Molokai) is a group creating an exhibition titled “No Stop Light: Molokai” for the 3,600 square foot Downtown Art Center in Honolulu, in May 2022. In the coming months, we will introduce each artist. 

What is your name?

My name is Kyle “Ikaika” Bishaw-Juario. I was born and raised on Molokai.  I am the owner of KBJ Lures.  I mainly specialize in making Ulua (GT) popping lures and Deep SeaTrolling Lures. Each lure is handcrafted. 

What is your art form?

I have been an artist my entire life.  Art has been something I enjoyed (ex.…

Meet the Artists: Dan Bennett

Wednesday, December 29th, 2021

Meet the Artists: Dan Bennett

Community Contributed

By Na Heona Molokai

Na Heona Molokai (Artists of Molokai) is a group creating an exhibition titled “No Stop Light: Molokai” for the 3,600 square foot Downtown Art Center in Honolulu, in May 2022. In the coming months, we will introduce each artist. 

What is your name?

My name is Dan Bennett. I am the owner of Bennett Pottery in Kalae.  I am a co-founder of Molokai Arts Center and serve on its Board of Directors and teach pottery classes.

Why do you make what you make?

I make things that people can use.  There’s a saying in ceramics, “It’s either mud or landfill.”…

Meet the Artists: Kim Markham

Wednesday, December 15th, 2021

Meet the Artists: Kim Markham

Community Contributed

By Na Heona Molokai

Na Heona Molokai (Artists of Molokai) is a group creating an exhibition titled “No Stop Light: Molokai” for the 3,600 square foot Downtown Art Center in Honolulu, in May 2022. In the coming months, we will introduce each artist. 

What is your connection to Molokai?

My name is Kim Markham. I live in Kaluaaha with my husband Richard, two cats and one dog. We retired here in 2005. In 2010, Dan Bennett and I, together with many friends, created the nonprofit Molokai Arts Center where I volunteer and make my art.

What is your art form and the inspiration behind it?