Molokai Arts Center

About Us

Press Release

November 25, 2010

From:   Molokai Arts Center,Inc., a Hawaii nonprofit
Contact:   Kim Markham, kim.markham@gmail.com, phone 808-349-6270

     Did you know that Molokai is the only Hawaiian island without a public arts center?   Even the small island of Lanai has a multipurpose community art center providing classes, workshops and studio access.
A group of artists believe there is a need for an arts center here on
Molokai.  Their vision is to build a place where they can gather to
share equipment, skills and knowledge; to create beautiful and useful art; to laugh and play and enjoy friendships based on mutual interests.

     Molokai Arts Center, Inc. (MAC), a Hawaii nonprofit, was incorporated in August 2010 by Emillia Noordhoek, Dan Bennett, April Torres, Betty West and Kim Markham.  MAC applied for tax-exempt status under IRS
section 501(c)(3) with a mission to provide art classes, youth
programs, and studio space for visual arts, music, dance and cultural arts for the Molokai community. 

      In September MAC signed a long-term lease for a warehouse at the Coffees of Hawaii Plantation in Kualalpu'u and hired architect Art Parr to draw construction plans.The planned renovations are a front entrance, an ADA compliant restroom, an access ramp, a pottery glazing sink with three stations, a solar energy system, electrical upgrades, florescent lighting,
connections to the sewer system and structural support to bring the historic warehouse up to building code.   The MAC will be a spacious room with work tables adaptable for many types of arts instruction in the center and pottery wheels around the perimeter.  As funding and
interest allows, MAC plans to offer painting, drawing, sculpture,
glass blowing, fiber arts, and more for adults and afterschool and summer art programs for kids.

      Funds for the new center are being raised by asking community members for charitable donations.  MAC is also fundraising by selling soaps
decorated by Molokai artists John Torres, Ani Van Epps and Steve
Legare.   Artists of the The Molokai Potters Guild have created and donated unique Molokai soapdishes.   Artist Todd Yamashita created a logo for the sale of MAC Tshirts. 

    

     In addition to funding, MAC is looking for volunteers to help build
the center and for in-kind contributions of art equipment, shelving,
furniture, and tools.   Art instructors who are willing to offer
no-cost or low-cost classes to children and adults should contact
Emillia Noordhoek at 808-216-3663.

Emillia Noordhoek,  President of MAC, states:    

"Art is a vital part of any community.
We know that children learn better when it is an active part of their
lives. And adults are able to experience learning and growing new skills with a sense of wonderment ( which we believe  keeps one  young  in spirit) by having lifelong access to the arts.  We  hope that by creating an actual art space,  we can help
people create that space in their own lives, to allow that sense of
wonder and curiosity to burn bright and long.  Remember Grandma Moses,
one of the most notable American painters,  began her career in her
seventies and she lived to be 101.  We are not promising that.   We
are just saying one never knows! We hope to have a  vibrant mix of
kids, young adult and adult classes to allow everyone the opportunity
to  express your inner artist  whatever your age or talent!  

October 2010 

Molokai Arts Center, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group on Molokai whos mission is to provide art instruction, youth programs, as well as studio and gallery space.

Intended future beneficiaries of the Molokai Arts Center are:

*Pottery students including elementary, high school and college students who wish to pursue pottery skills beyond the introductory classes offered at Molokai High School.

*Art instructors and their students who will share time in the open studio for group instruction.

*Visitors to Molokai who will enjoy seeing artists working in their studios and are interested in purchasing locally created artworks.

*Visiting artists and instructors who will have  temporary living and workspace  on Molokai in return for arts instruction and exhibitions.

*Nearby businesses offering coffee, food, and supplies to a stream of
artists and patrons of the arts.

 How you can help:

 *We are looking for donations for fundraising events. Including items for silent auctions, and raffles, plate lunch.

 *We need volunteers to help with soliciting donations

* We needs help building shelves and tables and equipment setup in the new place.