Forces of Nature explores ways our keiki can develop an emotional connection to our natural world through observation (Kilo Kilo), imagination, wonderment, creativity, and play, while embracing problem solving, risk taking, critical thinking, and having fun.
Donkey Mill Art Center’s Summer Art Experience program offered a diverse fine arts experience geared to exercise the imagination, keeping the mind and body active, develop meaning, individual self-expression and creativity, while having fun.
A total of 41 students from ages six to 16 participated in the sumer enrichment program.
This year young artists explored the word Aloha and the gifts of nature through weaving, fiber arts, design, sculpture, drawing, painting, printmaking, dance, writing and playing their way through exciting activities each day. Each week offered a new theme, hands-on projects and new art materials to explore and ended with a gallery walk where students will share and appreciate the work of others.
“On July 14 from 1 to 2:30 p.m., the summer program will culminate with the annual Young Artist Exhibition, student-led gallery tours, interactive demos, presentations, performances, an awards ceremony, and aloha style potluck feast celebrating the forces of nature within each of us,” said Miho Morinoue, DMAC Program Director.
This exhibit will be open to the public from Wednesdays – Saturdays, July 16 – August 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. The exhibit will be curated by Mina Elison, Gerald Lucena and Angaea Cuna in collaboration with a select group of teens.
The Summer 2023 Youth Education Programs and the Young Artist Exhibition are supported by the County of Hawaii Waiwai Grant Program, Suzanne and Carl Merner of the Mary Silverwood Fund, the County of Hawaii Contingency Funds from the offices of Holeka Inaba and Rebecca Villegas, the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Biennium Grant, and individual donors.
Artists contributing to this program included Gerald Lucena: Our Youth Education and Fiber Studio Coordinator – Mixed Media, Kilo kilo (profound observation) of our natural world, Angaea Cuna: Exploring Collective Identity, Bookbinding, Suminagashi, Drawing and Painting, Tomoko Nakazato: Ceramics exploring self as a force of nature through animal sculptures and vessel forms, Avalon Paradea: Exploring Pilina, Botanical Sciences and the Art of Natural Dye, Hunter Buck: Relief Printmaking and collaborative composition, Puakea Forester: Exploring the symbolism and materials of the Oceanic Cultures, Wai’ala Ahn – Indigo Dye and the art of Shibori, Deborah McGee: Movement, choreography and performance, Theresa Lovering-Brown (Teen Program): Metalsmithing – exploring designs from nature and Joey Chiarello (Teen Program): Ceramics – exploring your aumakua through sculpture
“Our main goal is to use art as a tool for students to build their curiosity, build strong relationships with nature and their community (parents, teachers and friends), and build valuable foundations for emotional intelligence and idea / story sharing,” said Morinoue. “This summer program is one of our favorites and is unique because we get to see our young artists five days a week for five weeks and we scaffold our art explorations through the lens of Self, Family, Community and World. By the end of the program both keiki and kumu have exchanged so much, learning together and from each other. Some of the outcomes include empathy, confidence, a deeper sense of awareness and kuleana for our aina and the well being of others. At the end we celebrate with a beautiful exhibition, food and presentation.”
Morinoue said it is sad and frustrating that the arts still have to prove value in society and its very practice tends to be characterized as a luxury rather than a necessity to build human character.
“The Mill is rooted in the efforts to invite as many people to connect to the arts, through our in-school and beyond the school programs, exhibitions, artist talks, panel discussions and studio programs in ceramics, fibers, metalsmithing and print,” she said.
For more information visit donkeymillartcenter.org
