Giving the Gift of Art

A four-man string band, tables of fine craftsmanship and a crowd of art lovers breathed life into Molokai Arts Center last week in a show of appreciation and support for the new organization.

In an effort to bring Molokai its first collective space for creativity, the Molokai Arts Center hosted a fundraiser to help them reach their $30,000 goal for building renovation and upgrades.

“I have always wanted to retire into the arts, but there is center for support to do so!” said Gladys Stenen, a Molokai resident and business teacher. “I am here to support the artists and their goal to enrich the community of Molokai.”

An estimated 400 Molokai residents and visitors placed donations at the silent auction and enjoyed refreshing folk music from Brown Chicken Brown Cow band of Maui. 

“Today we are seeing a lot of generosity. I’m really happy people are opening their hearts and wallets to make it possible to bring an art center to Molokai,” said Treasurer Kim Markum. “We are just hoping for success.”

And a success it was.  The Molokai Arts Center raised nearly $4,000 and was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the Atherton Family Foundation.

“We have about half of the necessary funds for the project,” said Molokai Arts Center President Emilia Noordhoek. “I know it sounds crazy but we are still pushing to reach our goal of finishing the building upgrade by April or May to open a summer program for the kids.”

The arts center bought a building behind Coffees of Hawaii, and money raised will go toward structural improvements.

For more information about the arts center, or to make a donation, visit www.molokaiarts.yolasite.com or contact Emilia Noordhoek at 808-216-3663.