Downtown Art Center -NEW Art Classes & Workshops at Downtown Art Center this Fall!

Community website by MBC/Ernest Abrams. Call 808-739-9797 for advertising/sponsorship. Community website by MBC/Ernest Abrams. Call 808-739-9797 for advertising/sponsorship.

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Downtown Art Center -NEW Art Classes & Workshops at Downtown Art Center this Fall!
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NEW ART CLASSES & WORKSHOPS AT DAC THIS FALL!

Intermediate Watercolor with Dwayne Adams
Dwayne Adams' six-session watercolor class is aimed at intermediate painters or those experienced in other media, covering advanced techniques such as composition, brushwork, perspective, and Renaissance concepts. The course includes five studio sessions at the Downtown Art Center and one plein air class nearby, with topics like painting figures, vegetation, and managing paper moisture.
Instructor: Dwayne Adams Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Duration: 6 sessions Dates: 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/09 Class cost: $240 per person
Sign Up Now!

Dive Into Art with Tamara Moan
This creative sampler class is perfect for all skill levels, offering a hands-on introduction to drawing, painting, printmaking, and 3-D art, including sculpture and bookmaking. Each week, you'll explore different materials and techniques, with all supplies provided for a fun, risk-free experience.
Instructor: Tamara Moan Duration: 6 sessions
Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Dates: 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, 12/3, 12/10, 12/17
Class Cost: $240 per person
Sign Up Now!

Basic Watercolor Techniques Single Sessions with Michelle Dolan
Pressed for time? Don't worry! Each of these introductory classes is a standalone session that can be purchased similar to our popular weekly Making Art for Art's Sake workshops. Sign up for one, a few, or all of them if you want! Each workshop begins with one hour of basic instruction, followed by two hours of guided practice.
September 18 - Forest of Trees (Focusing of texture & brush strokes)
September 25 - Beachy Landscapes (Focusing on color & value)
October 2 - Clear Glass Objects (Focusing on reflections & translucent views)
October 16 - Bouquet of Flowers (Focusing on form & negative space)
October 23 - Table of Fruit (Focusing on light & shadows)
Instructor: Michelle Dolan
Thursdays from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. on the dates specified above
Class cost: $50 per person
Ages: 18+
Sign Up Now!

All About Abstract Art Single Sessions with Marina Borovok
This series of single-session abstract art classes introduces students to the history, pioneers, and techniques of abstraction. Each class begins with a 20-minute creative prompt inspired by influential artists like Hilma af Klint, Piet Mondrian, and Vasily Kandinsky, followed by hands-on painting exercises and demonstrations. Topics range from design principles, color theory, and mediums, to developing personal style, with opportunities for students to present favorite artists and experiment in their styles.
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Sept. 10: Intro to abstract art, syllabus, and materials. Create small paintings inspired by Hilma af Klint and František Kupka.
Sept. 17: Discuss abstract “rules” (color, design). Create sketches focused on negative space, inspired by Piet Mondrian.
Sept. 24: Present a favorite abstract artist and paint in their style (ex: Robert Delaunay).
Oct. 1: Explore mediums/techniques for space effects. (ex: Vasily Kandinsky)
Oct. 8: Discuss “style” in art. Share ideas/sketches. (ex: Kazimir Malevich)
Oct. 15: Use color to create mood. Paint with complementary, bold, and neutral colors.
Instructor: Marina Borovok
Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. on the dates specified above
Class Cost: $40 per person, per class
Ages: 18+
Sign Up Now!

Makers Play: Playshops with Kilikina and Trish Brubaker
Enjoy making with re-imagined materials at these FUN playshops, where you’ll recycle rubbish, upcycle ‘ōpala, and repurpose junk to make awesome wearable and processional art!
Most supplies and tools provided, but feel free to bring your own (no glitter). Workshops can be taken in sequence or individually.
All playshops are warm ups for the HeART Strut Community Procession at the HEART of Honolulu Festival on April 11, 2026
- - -
Playshop #2– Sept. 27: Cosplay on the Cheap
Cheap, upcycled, reimagined, sustainable costume design for the DIY-inclined. How clever and resourceful can you be?
Playshop #3– Oct. 25: Last-Minute Masks
Because you forgot or procrastinated about Halloween and now there’s nothing good left in the stores, or just because you want to.
Playshop #4– Nov. 22: Street Puppets 101
Experiment with giant puppet structures and mechanisms, starting with small working models or maquettes.
Playshop #5– Dec. 20: Street Puppets 102
Enlarge and begin construction of your giant puppet design.

Instructors: Kilikina and Trish Brubaker
Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the dates specified above
Class Cost: $50 per person, per session
Ages: 18+
Sign Up Now!

WELLNESS WORKSHOPS

International Dot Day Crafting Workshop & Reception

Celebrate with our creative community and make your own inspirational dots (circles of paper with a positive image on the front and an encouraging message on the back) at this FREE public workshop. Refreshments provided!

Facilitator: Su Atta
Sunday, September 21 from 2-4 p.m.
Location: DAC first floor Studio 1C
Class Cost: FREE and open to the public! No RSVP necessary.

The Art of Inner Knowing: SoulCollage® Workshop with Dayl Workman

In this workshop, you'll use image, intuition, and self-expression to create a personal card that reflects your inner truths and stories. The process helps deepen self-awareness, strengthen intuition, and honor your identity. Open to all, no art experience needed—just curiosity and an open heart. Ideal for those navigating transitions, exploring spirituality, or seeking creative self-discovery.

Facilitator: Special guest Dayl Workman
Sunday, October 5 from 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Class Cost: $25 per person
Sign Up Now!

WEEKLY SESSIONS

Tuesday Portrait Sessions (Weekly)
This weekly uninstructed session focuses on creating portraits of the clothed model, with live models, music, and a great collaborative, creative atmosphere.
Facilitator: Alla Parsons Tuesdays, 1-3:30 p.m. Cost: $15 per session online, $20 at the door
SIGN UP NOW!

*NEW!* Long Pose Figure Drawing Sessions (Monthly, Last Tuesdays)

This is a new series of evening artist run,
uninstructed drawing sessions with live models doing long poses (alternating clothed portrait and nude). These sessions are intended to serve artists who want to focus on figurative work for a longer period of time, producing a more finished work of art.
Facilitator: Alla Parsons Tuesdays, Sept. 30, Oct. 28, and Nov. 25, 2025, at 5:30 - 8 p.m. Cost: $15 per session online, $20 at the door
SIGN UP NOW!

Monday Night Life Drawing Group (Weekly)
Monday Night Life Drawing is a weekly, artist-run, uninstructed drawing session with live models, music, and a great collaborative, creative atmosphere. All artists are asked to bring all their own equipment and supplies. Seating is primarily at tables.
Facilitator: Jared Wickware Mondays, 6 - 8:30 p.m. Cost: $15 per session online, $20 at the door
SIGN UP NOW!

Making Art for Art's Sake (Saturdays)
Let your creative spark loose! Come play, and make art with an open mind, free spirit, and sense of fun - for its own sake. In our weekly one-off make & take art workshops, led by various DAC teaching artists, students will be given a new project designed to stimulate creativity and learn new art-making techniques in various media.
—SEPTEMBER—
9/6 - Printmaking with Legos (Cathy Gleason)
9/13 - Watercolor Fish on Unique Backgrounds (Charlene DeLory)
9/20 - Circle Weaving (Annie Kuhn)
9/27 - Tag in Tag Mini Book (Hope Hamada)
—OCTOBER—
10/04 - Multi-layered Printmaking (Cathy Gleason)
10/11 - Abstract Floral Painting (Charlene DeLory)
10/18 - Mixed Media Collage (Cathy Gleason)
10/25 - Mystery Abstract Madness (Cathy Gleason)

Instructor: Various Saturdays from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Ages: Adults 18+ (or 16+ accompanied by a parent or guardian) Tuition: $20 (all materials included)
SIGN UP NOW!

Hawaiʻi Handweavers' Hui 2025 Classes
The Hawaiʻi Handweavers' Hui has an exciting lineup of classes at DAC for 2025! Whether you're a beginner, an expert, or somewhere in between, there's a class for you. Register now to try your hand at weaving, jewelry making, Indigo dip dyeing, sewing, and a wide variety of other creative crafts!   Photo: Macramé Earrings with Nikki Chin, Saturday, September 27 from 12 to 3 p.m.
Sign Up Now!

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Downtown Art Center -NEW Art Classes & Workshops at Downtown Art Center this Fall!

First Friday Hawaii
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