Around the Square: Lanai Art Center

A roomful of children having fun finger-painting. A kupuna learning to “throw” her first bowl on a ceramic wheel. A teenager building a table in the wood shop after school.

Moments like these are made possible by the Lanai Art Center, an artistic gathering space and hub of community creativity on Lanai for nearly 30 years. Located on Dole Square, Lanai Art Center has a wealth of resources for artists and makers of all ages and experience levels to learn and feed their creative spirit.

Many in the community may be familiar with the Lanai Art Center gallery as a place to admire local artists’ work and pick up unique handmade gifts. However, over the past few years, the art center has established itself as much more than a showroom.

A bustling creative center

“When I was first hired, our facilities were underutilized, and the community didn’t know much about the art center, other than the gallery,” said Bill Moore, executive director at Lanai Art Center.

Moore came to Lanai in 2014 and began working at Lanai Art Center in March 2016. After more than a year and a half on the job, he’s helped bring greater awareness to Lanai Art Center as a creative resource for all residents.

Slight changes to membership and access fees have led to a number of budding artists checking out the facilities, which include the full-service ceramics studio and wood shop. Moore welcomes all residents interested in art to stop by and learn about what Lanai Art Center has to offer.

“The ceramic studio is in use almost daily,” said Moore. “It motivates me to provide more opportunities for the community, from young to experienced artists.”

As the center’s sole regular employee, Moore wears many hats to keep things running. Lanai Art Center has become a bustling center with a steady schedule of classes, workshops, events and programs, as well as open studio hours for members. The gallery, which is run by volunteers, is kept open six days a week.

Get involved and support art

Lanai Art Center members can take advantage of class discounts, as well as free and open access to the ceramics studio and wood shop, to nurture their creative spirit. With a variety of membership levels, there’s something for everyone — and all proceeds go toward supporting art in the community.

Currently, the art center offers a weekly Introduction to Ceramics course for beginners, with materials included (two sessions for $10 members, $25 non-members).

Other events open to the public include:

• Mommy and Me course for parents and their toddlers
• Paint Parties with adult beverages
• Earth crafts made from recyclable materials
• Pumpkin carving and skull decorating for Halloween

“It has been great to see the smiles of joy and satisfaction from people trying something new, being creative, or improving their skills,” said Moore.

To learn about membership, donating, volunteering, classes, gallery hours, and more, visit lanaiart.org.

Lanai Art Center

339 Seventh St.
Gallery hours: Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (hours may vary)
(808) 565-7503
lanaiart.org
Follow LAC on Facebook and Instagram (@lanaiartcenter).