VAC Artists are invited to contribute to Volcano Art Center’s Time Capsule
As a beloved artist and a crucial part of our organization the Volcano Art Center invites you to submit a small work of art to include in VAC’s commemorative time capsule. VAC is providing archival, watercolor paper cards, size 6” x 9” to artists wishing to include a work in the time capsule. The capsule will be sealed for 25 years to be opened again in 2049. Artists may provide an original work of art, or print an image on the paper card if preferred. If you are interested in participating please stop by the Niaulani Campus to pick up the archival, watercolor paper card or request via email to gallery@volcanoartcenter.org. To be added to the Time Capsule project please return your work to VAC by Oct. 10th or send by mail to PO Box 129, Volcano, HI. 96785.
You are also welcome to come and celebrate with VAC on Saturday, October 19, 2024, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at VAC’s Niaulani Campus (19-4074 Old Volcano Road). This event includes a short blessing ceremony and light pupu to commemorate VAC’s milestone event, and prepare to seal the Volcano Art Center “Time Capsule”. The time capsule will also contain biographies of many of past and current VAC artists, artwork of young and upcoming artists, and historical documents featuring events, programs, and services that VAC has offered to the community over the past 50 years.
Submit to VAC’s Annual Wreath Exhibit
The Volcano Art Center welcomes you to participate in VAC’s 25th Annual Wreath Exhibit. This fun exhibition presents one-of-a-kind wreaths in a variety of imaginative media, techniques and styles. This years theme, is Sunrise to Sunset: Volcano Art Centers Ongoing Creative Journey. As VAC celebrates its 50th year as an organization, we reflect on the creative community that has been supported by VAC. A sunrise symbolizes the beginning of our journey, filled with hope and new possibilities, while a sunset symbolizes the reflective peace and maturity we’ve gained together; feel free to incorporate golden tones to celebrate this golden anniversary!
Join us in this theme or wow us with others. Traditional or natural wreaths are always treasured by our members, but we also love seeing artists push the boundaries with bizarre, fanciful or wild designs, don’t forget found objects! We ask that wreaths be limited in size not to exceed 22 inch diameter.
This year, VAC will be showing wreaths at both gallery locations. Feel free to make multiples!
Important Dates: Register if you plan to participate by calling 808-967-7565 by November 11th.
Accepting Wreaths: Upon Registration you will be provided an entry form(s) and given an appointment for delivery.
General dates for Delivery: Non-Perishable: November 2nd through November 22st
Prepare to bring Perishable /Live Wreaths on Monday, Nov. 25th or Tuesday, Nov. 26th
The Annual Wreath Exhibition is open to the public at VAC Gallery in Volcano Village and VAC Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Friday the 29th at opening., and continue through the month of December. The exhibit will also be shared virtually through VAC’s website and social media outlets.
Invitation to Submit Proposals for a Featured Exhibition
VAC welcomes show proposals (solo and or group) for the 2025-26 exhibit calendar. Exhibits run for 5-6 weeks and include an opening reception and online exhibition featuring the rich diversity and talent of artists from the Volcano Art Center. Please contact Emily C. Weiss at gallery@volcanoartcenter.org for more information and to receive an exhibition application.
Save The Date For These Biennial Group Exhibitions
VAC presents biennial group exhibitions yearly at its Niaulani Campus. Since artists need plenty of time to prepare works for these exhibitions please SAVE THE DATE for these upcoming shows in 2025 & 26. More information will be released soon.
Biennial Wood Show: July 19 – August 10th, 2025
Biennial Quilt Show: July 18 – August 9, 2026 (Tentative, exact dates could change)
Interested in becoming a VAC Artist?
Volcano Art Center (VAC) provides ongoing opportunities for visual artists in all media to sell their work on consignment in Volcano Art Center Gallery. Volcano Art Center Gallery has two locations. Our larger Gallery is located within the former Volcano House Hotel built in 1877, is open year-round, seven days a week (except Christmas Day). It is operated under a Lease Agreement with the National Park Service, as an enhancement to the interpretive programs of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park (HVNP). Our smaller Gallery is located in Volcano Village and shares a space with our administrative offices. Please read the following consignment guidelines if you are interested in applying for representation.
CONSIGNMENT GUIDELINES
Before submitting work, artists should think about how their work fits both the mission of VAC and the requirements of HVNP. VAC’s mission is to promote, develop, and perpetuate the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawai’i’s people and the environment through the arts and education. As our mission is specific to artists of Hawai’i, VAC currently only accepts new works from artist living within the state of Hawai’i. Artists residing outside the state of Hawai’i will not be considered, part-time residents will be considered with a Hawai’i address. Further, our agreement with HVNP is that we will offer items that have a direct relationship to the Hawaiian culture, and the scenic and natural values of the Park and Hawai’i. Please consider, and explain, in a written paragraph, how your work “Interprets the Park through Art.” Souvenir and/or gift items, convenience merchandise, items that are machine or commercially manufactured, or foreign import items are not allowed under our National Park Service Agreement. VAC’s agreement with HVNP further stipulates that no item will be sold or used that contains or is manufactured with any part of any rare or endangered species as defined under the Endangered Species Act. Those whose work includes koa wood must also provide assurance that the koa used in any work accepted by our Gallery has been legally harvested. Only handcrafted items that meet all of the above will be considered.
If you feel your work meets these criteria and would like to have it considered, please submit a brief portfolio, including color images (digital images, photos, or color copies) of the work you would like us to consider, plus any additional background material that you feel is relevant. A wholesale price list and listing of other locations where you currently sell your work would be helpful. If you have a website where your work can be viewed, you may give us the web address in lieu of submitting images if the work on the site is reflective of the work you would like us to consider.
Please click here to submit your application.
If we feel that your work is appropriate and could do well in the Gallery, our Gallery Manager will call you to set up an appointment. You’ll need to bring the following items with you when you meet with the Gallery representative:
Several examples of the work you would like to have considered that are reflective of the quality, materials, presentation, and size of the work you would consign.
Prior exhibition or sales of your work is not required, however, we do want to know where else you show and/or sell your work.
A portfolio showing the range and direction of your work.
Any special requirements for the proper display of your work. Because of the historic nature of our building we are unable to show work that requires climate control, specialized lighting, high security, a reinforced floor, or certain other needs.
Be prepared to discuss the wholesale price range of your work.
We have two visitor seasons. The winter season attracts more people who are art collectors. In the summer we attract more families and people traveling in groups. We look for distinctive seasonal items for November and December.
The initial consignment period is for three months. The exception is a holiday or special event item, which is consigned for shorter periods. At any point during the consignment period, VAC reserves the right to return artwork that is damaged upon arrival, of inferior quality, or that varies substantially from the work originally accepted.
VAC will provide each artist with a consignment agreement spelling out the terms upon which the work will be shown, and will assume the responsibility to display the work in a manner that will enhance its sale. Payment for artwork sold in any given month will be mailed by the 15th day of the following month or the first business day thereafter.
Thank you for your interest in having Volcano Art Center represent your work for sale. Please expect 4-6 weeks for a response to submissions.
Click here for the PDF version of the Consignment Guidelines
Click here for the Artist Agreement
Ways to Support the Arts in Hawai’i Beyond VAC!
The Volcano Art Center believes in supporting our fellow not-for-profit art and education organizations, and the people and places who help create the vibrate community we all love! Find opportunities beyond VAC below.