**Update 9/4/24: Cool Fusion 2024 is completely sold out at this time. If you missed your chance to buy a ticket, but are interested in lending a hand as a volunteer, please contact us at events@donkeymillartcenter.org. Volunteers will have a chance to enjoy the event before or after their shift, and receive a Donkey Mill volunteer t-shirt.

TICKETING WEBSITE 

Cool Fusion: Festival of 1000 Bowls returns to the Donkey Mill Art Center this September, celebrating our dynamic arts community and our shared love of ceramics. Enjoy a fresh and thoughtfully curated array of activities this year, explore ties to Korean ceramic and culinary traditions, and get a chance to meet and learn from Sam Chung, our visiting artist-in-residence.

Tickets on sale now! Enjoy early bird pricing until September 7. Use the link here to purchase.

  • Early Bird Ticket: $45
  • Keiki (12 and under): $25

The Festival Experience

  • Pick. Select your own complimentary ceramic bowl from a wide selection of hand-thrown pieces created by Donkey Mill artists right here in our studio - yours to keep!
  • Eat. Try a popular traditional Korean noodle dish called “bibimguksu,” made fresh to order! Served with vegetables and a tangy sauce, it’s a refreshing and delicious summer snack.  
  • Drink. Satisfy your sweet tooth with soju-inspired cocktails and mocktails.
  • Shop. We'll have hundreds of ceramic bowls and sets available for purchase, as well as sweet new Donkey Mill and Cool Fusion merch! Our gallery shop featuring more local artwork and handmade gifts will also be open upstairs.
  • Learn. Ask artist Sam Chung your questions as you watch him in action and attend one of his insightful pop-up lectures.
  • Play. Explore the gallery and test your creativity with hands-on art art stations for adults and keiki alike!
  • Jam. Enjoy live music performances.
  • Repeat.

How It Works:

  1. Buy your Cool Fusion ticket!
  2. Arrive at the Donkey Mill anytime between 11am - 3pm.
  3. At check in, you'll receive 10 tokens, which will unlock our lineup of activities and delicious food and beverage inside the event.
  4. Choose your adventure -- and your bowl! Redeem your tokens for the refreshments and activities of your choice throughout the event.
  5. (Yes, you can always purchase more tokens later to keep the fun going!)
  6. Shop, Play, Snack, Learn, Groove, Repeat!

Parking: Drop offs are welcome! Event parking will be available just down the road at the Hawai'i Island Humane Society. A complimentary shuttle generously provided by Wasabi Tours will bring you to the Donkey Mill, and circle back to the parking lot throughout the event.

Mahalo: Cool Fusion is presented by The Hiroaki, Elaine & Lawrence Kono Foundation with additional support from The Laila Twigg-Smith Art Fund of the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and proudly sponsored by Kokua Roofing, Wasabi Tours, Spirited Cocktail Catering, Body Glove, and Hawaiʻi Island Humane Society.

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Ceramics Open Studio Schedule: December

Ceramics Open Studio Schedule: December

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Metals Guided Studio: December

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with Deborah Beetson
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Holiday Art Experience: Ceramic Ornaments

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with Patrica Vondrak