Downtown Art Center Presents - Hawaiʻi Craftsmen Annual Statewide Exhibition 2025

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First Friday Hawaii
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Downtown Art Center Presents - Hawaiʻi Craftsmen Annual Statewide Exhibition 2025
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Date: Friday - 10/3/2025
Time: 5:30 to 8 p.m
Location:
Downtown Art Center
1040 A Nuuana Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii 96717

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Upcoming Main Gallery Exhibition
Hawaiʻi Craftsmen Annual Statewide Exhibition 2025 On View October 3 – November 1, 2025

The Hawaii Craftsmen Annual Statewide Exhibition, showcases the finest traditional and contemporary craft from across the Islands, in ceramics, fiber, wood, metal, glass, and more. Juried by Sarah Darro, Curator and Exhibitions Director of the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, the exhibition will feature exceptional works selected during her visits to each island, highlighting the creativity and skill of Hawaiʻi’s diverse craft community. Find out more at hawaiicraftsmen.org.
First Friday Reception: Friday, October 3 from 5 - 8 p.m.

Artist Reception and Award Ceremony: Saturday, October 4 from 6-8 p.m.

About Downtown Art Center (DAC):
Located in the Chinatown Gateway Plaza building at 1041 Nuʻuanu Ave., Second Floor, the nonprofit Downtown Art Center is an exhibition gallery and educational space for Oʻahu's arts scene. DAC is a thriving center for the arts, providing display space to showcase local artists and art organizations, classrooms for arts instruction, and more. DAC is dedicated to the revitalization of Downtown/Chinatown Honolulu through culture and the arts.
Parking for DAC is located at nearby municipal parking lots (onsite at Chinatown Gateway Plaza, parking entrance off Bethel Street) or at Mark's Garage (entrance at 22 S. Pauahi St.). DAC is easily accessible by public transit as well; get directions, routes and timetables at www.thebus.org.
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DAC QUICKDRAW Juried by Mark Brown
On View October 1 - November 1, 2025
As part of our From the HEART celebration on Saturday, September 27, Downtown Art Center hosted the DAC QuickDraw Plein Air Art Competition, inviting local artists to capture the vibrant atmosphere of Honolulu’s Downtown/Chinatown district in a single day.

The event brought together artists of all experience levels for a free, same-day plein air challenge juried by renowned local artist Mark Brown. Artists checked in, received a stamp on their canvas or paper, and set out into the surrounding streets to create original works on site using traditional media: watercolor, pastel, oil, pencil, or acrylic.
Select works from the competition are featured in this group exhibition, which celebrates the creative spirit of the community and the adventure of making plein air art in urban Honolulu.
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Classroom Exhibition
Upcoming Studio 1C Exhibition
Hawaii’s Woodshow, Na Lā’au o Hawai’i On View October 3 - 25, 2025

Hawai‘i’s Woodshow™ 2025 Opens October 3, 2025 at Downtown Art Center

Honolulu (September 2025) – Hawai‘i’s Woodshow™ returns for its 33rd annual exhibition, opening to the public in the first floor Studio 1C Gallery at Downtown Art Center October 3-25 this year. The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, will have an opening night reception on First Friday, October 3, from 5–8 p.m., and will be on view during regular gallery hours, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

Sponsored by the Hawai‘i Forest Association (HFA), this juried exhibition celebrates exceptional design and craftsmanship in works created using Hawai‘i-grown wood, and promotes sustainable forestry in Hawai’i.
Artists across the islands have been invited to participate. The 2025 prospectus is now available at hawaiiforest.org.

This year’s distinguished jurors include:

-Tom Calhoun, Maui-based master wood artist and longtime Woodshow contributor.
-Katherine Love, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art, Honolulu Museum of Art.
-Dr. Heather McMillen, Hawaiʻi State Urban Forester and Kaulunani Program Coordinator; ISA Certified Arborist.

Hawai‘i’s Woodshow showcases fine furniture, sculpture, turning, and woodcraft that highlight the beauty and diversity of Hawai‘i’s forest resources. New this year: a streamlined jurying process, a simplified awards structure, and a Pop-Up category for small, handcrafted items. All work—except Pop-Up items—must be made from Hawai‘i- grown wood and be available for sale.

For more information on this exhibition or to view the full prospectus, visit https://hawaiiforest.org.
For more information on the latest exhibitions, events, and classes at Downtown Art Center, visit downtownarthi.org.

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"Pyro" by Luke Shaffer: About 600 hand-carved Koa feathers, hand carved weathered Koa fencepost base, turned Koa skeleton. Wood used: Koa (Acacia koa); Milo (Thespesia populnea).

The 2025 Hawaii’s Woodshow™ celebrates its 33rd anniversary as Hawai‘i’s premier woodworking exhibition, presented by the Hawai‘i Forest Association (HFA). This annual event showcases exceptional craftsmanship and innovative design using Hawaiian-grown woods, with artists highlighting the unique beauty of local species. The show emphasizes the importance of planting and stewarding high-quality hardwoods for future generations, with entries judged on Inspiration of Design and Excellence of Implementation by a panel of experts in art, design, and forestry. Visit woodshow.hawaiiforest.org for more information.
Important Dates:

Fri, Oct 3 from 5-8 p.m.: First Friday

Sat, Oct 11 from 11:30 - 2 p.m.: Turning Demonstration with Aaron Hammer

Sun, Oct 12 from 2-3:30 p.m.: Conversation with the Jurors

Mon, Oct 13 from 12 - 2 p.m.: Open House at Honolulu Kupuna Shed (located at 330 Cooke St. Ste D)

Sat, Oct 18 from 2 - 4 p.m.: Urban Forestry conversation

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About the Downtown Art Center (DAC):
Located in the Chinatown Gateway Plaza building at 1041 Nuʻuanu Ave., Second Floor, the nonprofit Downtown Art Center is an evolving gallery and workshop space for Oʻahu's arts scene. DAC strives to become a thriving center for the arts by providing display space for local artists and art organizations, workshop classrooms, performances, and more. Support DAC and help it grow at donorbox.org/downtownartcenter!

Parking for DAC is located at nearby municipal parking lots (onsite at Chinatown Gateway Plaza, parking entrance off Bethel Street) or at Mark's Garage (entrance at 22 S. Pauahi St.). DAC is easily accessible by public transit as well; get directions, routes and timetables at www.thebus.org.
 

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First Friday Hawaii Event Calendar Item

Downtown Art Center Presents - Hawaiʻi Craftsmen Annual Statewide Exhibition 2025

First Friday Hawaii
Event Calendar Item