The Volcano Art Center (VAC) is proud to announce a new exhibition titled From Pele To Poli‘ahu. The Kuleana Of Change at the VAC gallery in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park from September 24th to November 6th, 2022. The exhibit presents approximately 30 new original artworks by Waimea-based artist Dominic Tidmarsh. While the exhibit is free, park entrance fees apply.
The works of art featured are inspired by the life-changing experiences of living through the eruption of Kilauea in 2018, and his subsequent relocation to Waimea. Tidmarsh compares and contrasts the lands of Pele and Poli‘ahu and presents the work as an expression of the responsibility we all bear to embrace the inevitability of change in our lives. As an expression of this Kuleana, Tidmarsh chose to work extensively in media that he had never used before and to explore and develop new methods of working.
The main body of work consists of a series of landscape paintings intricately rendered in soft pastels, a medium not traditionally associated with either precision or detail. In addition, a series of miniatures of Mauna Kea executed in colored pencil stand in vivid contrast to dramatic large-scale watercolor paintings inspired by the eruption of 2018.
Dominic Tidmarsh was born in 1964 in Trinidad, West Indies. He was educated in the United Kingdom and also lived in Indonesia before moving to the United States in 1981. In 1982 he attended the Maine Photographic Workshops followed by the Corcoran School of Art in Washington DC where he earned a BFA in Photography in 1988. Dominic moved to the Big Island of Hawai’i in 1996. A self-taught painter, he has participated in numerous solo and group shows in Hawai‘i. Recent awards include two Purchase Recognition Awards from the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and back-to-back Juror’s Choice Awards in the Hawai‘i Nei 2015 and 2016 art contests. His 3D topographic work can also be seen at the Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park visitor center.
Known for his rich sense of color and meticulous attention to detail, Dominic’s work reflects an interdisciplinary approach to creating art. Inspired above all by the natural landscapes of Hawai‘i he also draws inspiration from a variety of other fields such as Volcanology, Astronomy, Archaeo-Astronomy and Ornithology.
Forest Fair At Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus
Saturday, October 8, 2022 | 10am – 3pm
Situated in a restored native rain forest, known today as the Niaulani Forest, The Volcano Art Center (VAC) provides an intimate experience for people to engage with Hawaiʻi’s rain forests, plants, and native birds through its Niaulani Rain Forest. Year round forest programs focus on Hawaiʻi’s unique natural heritage, deepening the understanding of the land and its natural systems and highlight how to be stewards of Hawaiʻi’s most precious environmental resources for generations to come.
To celebrate the healthy rain forest at Niaulani, VAC invites the community to the Annual Forest Fair! This one-day celebration is scheduled for October 8th from 10am – 3pm at the Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus (19-4074 Old Volcano Rd.) in Volcano Village. The day will highlight features of the Niaulani Trail Enhancement Programs including the unveiling of new interpretive signage, displays, vendors, free forest tours, lei making, hula performances and plant and book sales. This free event will provide information on sustainable art, products and agriculture from the Islands making a fun, engaging event celebrating Hawai’i’s natural resources.
A native plant sale hosted by Volcano residents Allie Atkins and Ed Clapp start the day beginning at 10am. Endemic plants such as Ko’oko’olau, Kupukupu, and lama and others will be available for purchase. Allie Atkins of Lehua Lena Nursery will give a “Landscaping With Native Plants” talk beginning at 12 noon. Guided rain forest tours will be lead at 11am, 1 and 3pm, with self guided tours of the 1/7 mile Niaulani Trail ongoing. A hula performance by members of hālau Ke ʻOlu Makani o Mauna Loa under the direction of Kumu Hula Meleana Manuel will perform from 1-2pm. Both VAC Galleries will be open with special discounts on items relating to the Hawaiian rain forest made by local artists.
Saturday, Oct. 8th is also the Second Saturday of October! This month’s event at VAC features The Best Bratwurst Fundraiser beginning at 11am. Lanikai Brewery will be making a special appearance sharing beers for purchase just in time for Octoberfest! The day will end with The Volcano Art Center’s Sounds at the Summit concert series at 5:30pm featuring Constant as the Moon. Tickets are $25 for VAC members ($30 non-members)!
Please visit www.volcanoartcenter.org to participate in VAC’s Forest Fair and Second Saturday events. Your support will helps VAC continue its long tradition of environmental programming. Support from Hawai’i Tourism’s Community Enrichment Program allows these events to take place. Call 808-967-8222 for more information.
Keiki Hula Classes
As part of the Liko A’e Keiki Art Program, VAC will offer a 4-week session of introductory hula for
Keiki ages 6-12. During this session, students will learn basic hula movements, steps, and a
simple ‘oli (chant). Through these activities, students will gain an understanding of rhythm and
tempo, and increase their awareness of the importance of hula. Kumu Hula Meleana Manuel
will teach the class.
Kumu Meleana, a lifelong resident of Volcano, is a cultural practitioner and
the leader of Hālau Ke ‘Olu Makani O Mauna Loa.
Introductory Hula is for Keiki ages 6-12. Classes start on Tuesday, October 11 – November 1, 2022, from 3 pm – 4 pm at VAC Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
Cost: $100/$90 for VAC members
Financial scholarships are available for those in need. Apply for a scholarship Here
Keiki Hula Classes
As part of the Liko A’e Keiki Art Program, VAC will offer a 4-week session of introductory hula for
Keiki ages 6-12. During this session, students will learn basic hula movements, steps, and a
simple ‘oli (chant). Through these activities, students will gain an understanding of rhythm and
tempo, and increase their awareness of the importance of hula. Kumu Hula Meleana Manuel
will teach the class.
Kumu Meleana, a lifelong resident of Volcano, is a cultural practitioner and
the leader of Hālau Ke ‘Olu Makani O Mauna Loa.
Introductory Hula is for Keiki ages 6-12. Classes start on Tuesday, October 11 – November 1, 2022, from 3 pm – 4 pm at VAC Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
Cost: $100/$90 for VAC members
Financial scholarships are available for those in need. Apply for a scholarship Here
Keiki Hula Classes
As part of the Liko A’e Keiki Art Program, VAC will offer a 4-week session of introductory hula for
Keiki ages 6-12. During this session, students will learn basic hula movements, steps, and a
simple ‘oli (chant). Through these activities, students will gain an understanding of rhythm and
tempo, and increase their awareness of the importance of hula. Kumu Hula Meleana Manuel
will teach the class.
Kumu Meleana, a lifelong resident of Volcano, is a cultural practitioner and
the leader of Hālau Ke ‘Olu Makani O Mauna Loa.
Introductory Hula is for Keiki ages 6-12. Classes start on Tuesday, October 11 – November 1, 2022, from 3 pm – 4 pm at VAC Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
Cost: $100/$90 for VAC members
Financial scholarships are available for those in need. Apply for a scholarship Here
Keiki Hula Classes
As part of the Liko A’e Keiki Art Program, VAC will offer a 4-week session of introductory hula for
Keiki ages 6-12. During this session, students will learn basic hula movements, steps, and a
simple ‘oli (chant). Through these activities, students will gain an understanding of rhythm and
tempo, and increase their awareness of the importance of hula. Kumu Hula Meleana Manuel
will teach the class.
Kumu Meleana, a lifelong resident of Volcano, is a cultural practitioner and
the leader of Hālau Ke ‘Olu Makani O Mauna Loa.
Introductory Hula is for Keiki ages 6-12. Classes start on Tuesday, October 11 – November 1, 2022, from 3 pm – 4 pm at VAC Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
Cost: $100/$90 for VAC members
Financial scholarships are available for those in need. Apply for a scholarship Here