Interwoven: Annual Art Auction 2026

The 19th Annual Art Auction honors the theme Interwoven, inspired by ʻaha, a woven cord that strengthens when combining  many strands. It is a simple but powerful reminder that when we come together, share our skills, our time, and our creativity, we make something stronger than any one of us alone.

Every piece in this art auction carries a story. It reflects the artists who teach, learn, and create at the Donkey Mill, as well as the community that surrounds them. By participating, you help keep this work alive. Your bids support programs where keiki find their voices, adults and kūpuna reconnect with themselves and others, and our community continues to grow through workshops, exhibitions, and cultural events.

Creativity is everywhere. It is in the brushstroke of a painting, the rhythm of a dance, the flavors of a meal, or the way we solve a problem. It is part of life, part of our shared experience, and part of what makes our community whole. Spaces like the Donkey Mill are rare, and your support ensures they remain safe, welcoming, and vibrant for generations to come.

Thank you for being part of this celebration. Your individual thread adds strength and meaning to our shared story. 

Ashley Raymond & John Roth

We are proud to recognize Hōlualoa Elementary School with the 2026 Visionary Award. For 23 years, we have partnered with the school to bring arts education to keiki. Teachers, cultural practitioners, and artists have come together to create ‘āina-based learning experiences inspiring curiosity and confidence in young artists. Their work shows exactly what it means to be interwoven—many hands, many hearts, all working together for the good of the community.

“As we celebrate Interwoven, let us remember that none of this mana exists in isolation. Every hand that makes, every mind that imagines, every story that is offered becomes a strand in something far greater than itself. Like ʻaha, strength is not in any single fiber, but in the intentional act of binding together—knowledge, care, risk, and vision. Your work reminds us that when artists come together, we don’t just reflect the world as it is—we shape the world as it could be. May we continue to weave boldly, generously, and in community.” —Mina Elison, Curator

To the artists of Interwoven, mahalo nui loa.

Amber Aguirre • Koyuki Aker • Natasha Ala • Clayton Amemiya • Maile Andrade • Ancelyn Avila • Nanette Bell • Jake Boggs • Jisoo Boggs • John Buck • Paul Byron • McKaela Christenson • Domino Cohn • Robert Corsair • Micha Croft • Heide Cumes • Akiko Cutlip • Michael Cutlip • Noriko Morisaki Donna • Bob Danhieux Douglas • Peter Durst • Eric Edwards • Solomon Enos • Terry Field • Mats Fogelvik • Puakea Forester • Stephen Freedman • Kathleen Hargrave • Jack Hofmann • Bobby Howard • Roen Hufford • Abbey Hume • Jason Izumi • Kate & Will Jacobson • Cliff Johns • Beau Jack Key • John Koga • Noah Lake • Fletcher Lambert • Kyong Won Lee • Wayne Levin • Cris Lindborg • Ken Little • Theresa Lovering-Brown • Gerald Lucena • Kainoa Makua • Lolana Medeiros • Melba Medeiros • Hiroki Morinoue • Miho Morinoue • Setsuko Morinoue • Tomoko Nakazato • Richard Notkin • Elliot Omiya • Jocelynn Paisley • Devyn Park & Sarah Week • Andrea Pro • Margo Ray • John Roth • Keiko Saile • Margaret Shields • Bailey Silva • Sean Silva • Jim Skibby • Cynthia Smith • Leslie Steinwachs • Faith Stone • Sean Tessandori • Lonny Tomono • Patrica Vondrak • Makiko Yamaguchi • Melanie Yazzie

The 19th Annual Art Auction and Celebration was a powerful reminder that when we invest in the arts, we invest in creativity, our keiki, and the strength of our community. Mahalo nui loa to everyone who joined the Live Auction Event & Celebration and helped create an evening full of joy, generosity, and heartfelt support for the Donkey Mill Art Center.

Mahalo nui loa to the Events team that made this year’s Live Auction Event & Celebration a night to remember!

Auction Committee: Keri Askew Bailey, Suzanne Buirgy, Mina Elison, Terry Field, Abbey Hume, Molly Johnston, Cris Lindborg, John Linder, Sonia Nelson, Elliot Omiya, Rodney Powell, Ashley Raymond, John Roth, Krista Skehan, Cynthia Smith, Peter Tui Silva, Judy Wieder

Event Coordinator: Molly Johnston of Bliss In Bloom
Bliss In Bloom Team: Kirsten Haspe and Allison Bennett

Curator: Mina Elison
Art Handling: Ed Duncan, Grace Emanuel, Chris Hamano, Andy Roos, and Allison Tan

Florals: Valerie Delahaye-Ippolito, Kanja King, Noriko Morisaki Donna, and Allison Tan

Auctioneer: Brad B Hooley
Performers: Hālau Hula Maunalei led by Kumu Lehua Bray and Alex Lee

Venue: OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa
Audio/Visual: Hawaiʻi Sound & Vision

Videographers: Lia-Lucine and Kealakehe Students Match Diehl and Mira Wakumoto
Photographers: Eric Edwards and Keiko Saile
Social Media: Bailey Ferguson

Graphic Design: Krista Skehan & Katie Stewart
Volunteers: Austin Chu, Chloe Fleming, Abby Paterson, Keiko Saile, James Slusser, and Trish Vondrak