Dear Arts & Culture Community Supporter,
For nearly 30 years, the Donkey Mill Art Center has been a place where mo‘olelo—stories, traditions, and histories—are shared. Each year, our programs, events, and exhibitions provide a space for thousands of people to create empowering stories that shape their lives. It’s through these stories, we connect to the past, gain insight into who we are, and envision the future we hope to build together.
Stories come in many forms, and this year our exhibitions have taken us on incredible journeys. Mayumi Oda’s Happy Veggies, opened a portal to the wonder and beauty of nature, and reminded us of our fundamental, sacred bond with the ʻāina. He’e Nalu led us atop ocean waves, to explore the cultural and historical significance of surfing in Hawai‘i. And now, through our current exhibition, Hānau Ka Moʻolelo, we are invited to look inward, to explore themes of ‘ohana and self, with artists illustrating how family histories passed down from our ancestors shape our identity. Who would we be without the invaluable insight that arts participation provides?
We’re especially proud of the growing bond between our Exhibition and Youth Education Program. Our exceptional Curator and Youth Program Coordinator, together with classroom teachers, invite youth into the gallery to engage in thoughtful conversations with artists and participate in hands-on art activities that fulfill a critical need for arts education in Kona—a place where access to galleries and museums is very limited. It’s through in-depth experiences like these that our youth have opportunities to see themselves represented, gain new artistic skills, and to discover that their voices and stories matter.
The demand for our services continues to grow, reflecting our community’s deep need for more arts and cultural resources. In the last two years, over 70% of our classes and events have reached full or above capacity, with many classes now carrying significant waitlists. Our annual visitor count has risen by 45% over the past three years, while our online following has grown by 16%. We are a thriving community space that many turn to as a pu’uhonua, a safe space. But there is only so much physical space to host growing programs.
To address growing demand, we are investing in the development of our Master Campus Plan. This ambitious project will nearly double our space, allowing us to serve more people while preserving our historic structure. We’re excited to be partnering with WhiteSpace Architects to bring this vision to life, ensuring our facilities are safe and equipped for the future. We eagerly anticipate incorporating community input as these plans continue to take shape.
As we close out 2024, we are filled with gratitude and resolve. The Mill was honored to receive a prestigious grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts to support our Artist-in-Residence and Exhibitions programs. Next year, we’re excited to partner with the Hawai‘i Triennial to bring ALOHA NŌ– the largest thematic exhibition of contemporary art in Hawai‘i–to West Hawai‘i audiences. More and more esteemed institutions have recognized the magic of the Mill and are choosing to invest in its future. But none of this would be possible without YOU. We need your support to continue offering vibrant arts and cultural education experiences for all ages, to support our talented teaching artists and artist community, and to guide our master campus plans.
In 2025, we’ll celebrate our 30th anniversary as the Hōlualoa Foundation for Arts & Culture. Over the past few months, we’ve been asking ourselves—and our community—a powerful question: ‘Where do you see the Mill in 30 years?’ This question invites us to reflect on our past, shape our present, and envision a future for the next generation.
Will you join us in securing and shaping the future of the Mill?
Ashley Raymond
Executive Director
P.S. Every gift, large or small, helps us reach our goal. Thank you for being a part of the Donkey Mill story!