Downtown Art Center

10/14/2026

UPCOMING EXHIBITION: DAC is delighted to host "David Takagi: A Retrospective of 60 years," on view in the Courtyard Gallery November 6-14, 2026. Respected Oahu-born-and-raised photographer, financial and insurance professional, and longtime arts supporter David Takagi presents a selection of his photographs from the past 60 years, in this special exhibition.

📷 Opening reception: 5-8 p.m. First Friday, November 6

10/11/2026

Congratulations to local arts organization and creative incubator fishcake on this great coverage on Hawaii News Now!

The name comes from the building’s history. The original partners tried to lease from a fish cake factory — the Kamaboko red and white factory one block away.

10/10/2026

TOMORROW! You won't want to miss October's Storytelling Night: Tales from the Arabian Nights: "The Porter's Tale" with our host and Halloween baby, master storyteller Jeff Gere!

Master storyteller Jeff Gere (founder of Hawaii's Talk Story Festival and recent recipient of a National Storytelling lifetime award) brings the "pulp fiction" of the ancient Islamic world to life in this riveting, fun tale of a porter, two sisters, three one-eyed men, and a Khalif in disguise.

📅 Saturday, October 10 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. in the DAC 2nd Floor Classroom
🎟️ $10 per person, online at downtownarthi.org/events or at the door

This event is part of our monthly storytelling series with Jeff Gere. Grab a friend and come hear a tale that's been thrilling audiences for centuries!

Photo by Charlie Meyers.
👳

10/09/2026

Mahalo to KHON2 News's Mabuhay Minute for featuring our HALO HALO Filipino American Heritage Month exhibition, on view from now til Oct. 24! (And congratuations to our DAC Art & Gifts Shop manager Bryzane on his first TV appearance!)

The Downtown Art Center, in collaboration with MINASA, is hosting HALO HALO 3, an art exhibition celebrating Filipino American History Month in Honolulu.

10/09/2026

The Hawaii Watercolor Society Open Exhibit 2026, "Flow & Fire," brings together the work of talented water-media artists, selected by award-winning artist and guest juror Frank Eber, along with beautiful pieces by invited ceramic artists. We are grateful for the passion, dedication, and creativity these artists share with our community!

Visit us Tuesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., now through October 24, and join the artists for the Closing Reception on Saturday, October 24, from 4–6 p.m.

More details: hawaiiwatercolorsociety.org/2026-open-exhibit
🎨

10/09/2026

As our founding Executive Director, Sandy Pohl, concludes her formal role with Downtown Art Center (DAC), we extend our heartfelt MAHALO for her vision, leadership, and dedication.

Sandy played an instrumental role in bringing DAC to life, helping create a place where Hawaiʻi's artists could exhibit their work, connect with one another, and engage with the broader community. From an ambitious idea to the vibrant arts destination DAC is today, Sandy's passion and commitment helped establish a strong foundation for the organization and its future.

We are grateful for all that Sandy has contributed to Downtown Art Center and Hawaiʻi's arts community.

"Sandy has left us with enormous shoes to fill," says DAC Executive Director Carol Khewhok. "DAC would not exist today without her vision, hard work, and perseverance during very difficult times. The DAC team is excited to build upon Sandy's legacy and help DAC grow."

Please join us in thanking Sandy Pohl for helping make DAC what it is today and in wishing her all the very best in her next chapter!
🌺

10/08/2026

🎉 CONGRATULATIONS to the artists advancing to the Final Round of jurying for Artists of Hawaiʻi Biennial 2026! The competition was strong, with a record 645 artists who applied with over 1,300 pieces, of which 189 pieces passed the First Jurying. Mahalo to juror Trisha Lagaso Goldberg for all her hard work and tough decisions! Advancing artists have been notified by email.

If your name is on the list: Don't forget, artwork is due at Downtown Art Center for final jurying by October 22 (Neighbor Islands) or October 25 at 5 p.m. (Oʻahu)! We WILL be accepting early dropoff upstairs during regular gallery hours, Tues-Sun, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

See the full list of accepted artists from First Jurying at downtownarthi.org/artistsofhawaii.
🌈

10/06/2026

The Watercolor Society Open Exhibit 2026, "Flow & Fire," is on view through October 24, featuring juror-selected water-media paintings by guest juror Frank Eber and work from invited ceramic artists. We're honored to host these remarkable artists and their creativity!

🗓 Tuesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
🥂 Closing Reception: Saturday, October 24, 4–6 p.m.

Featured artwork: "The Buoys (quadriptych)" with artist Jessica Orfe.

Find out more at hawaiiwatercolorsociety.org/2026-open-exhibit.
🎨

10/06/2026

Mahalo nui loa and salamat po to everyone who came out for our First Friday festivities last week! A wonderful time was held by all, as we celebrated HALO HALO, a collaborative event and exhibition with Minasa Hawaii, in honor of Filipino American History Month, with art, Filipino food, local vendors, fashion, music and special installations in the DAC Art & Gifts Shop, Studio 1 C, and the Courtyard Gallery, and the opening and Award Ceremony for Hawaii Watercolor Society's beautiful Open Exhibit 2026, juried by Frank Eber, in the Main Gallery.

See the whole photo album from First Friday on the Downtown Art Center page!
💐

10/05/2026