Donkey Mill Art Center

10/14/2026

We're still reminiscing about last week’s Fall Art Experience. Led by teaching artists Heather Scarbrough and Tomoko Nakazato, our young artists took whimsy and improvisation to a whole new level! 🦉🐉

Mahalo to families for investing in the arts for your keiki and to Heather & Tomo for the creative spark you ignite in these young artists!

Heather Scarbrough Tomoko Nakazato

10/09/2026

Jackie Rey’s and the Donkey Mill Art Center are excited to partner in presenting rotating exhibitions featuring Hawaiʻi Island artists. This collaboration extends the Mill’s work beyond its campus, connecting artists with new audiences and creating more opportunities to discover and support the creative voices of our island community.

The first exhibition, Between Sets: Paintings by Bailey Silva, will be on view at Jackie Rey’s Kona from October 22, 2026, through January 2, 2027. An unveiling reception and meet-the-artist event will take place on Thursday, October 22, from 3:30 – 5:00pm at the restaurant.

Artwork pictured by Bailey Silva:
4. Second Set Surfboard, 2025, Acrylic on salvaged surfboard
5. Deep Places no1, 2021, Acrylic + spray paint on canvas
6. Slow Drift, 2021, Acrylic + spray paint on canvas
7. Caustics, 2026, Acrylic on canvas
8. Under the Pink Light, 2026, Acrylic on canvas

Artwork will be available for purchase through the Donkey Mill website, with proceeds benefiting both the featured artists and the Mill.

10/08/2026

Coming up next week: Film Night at the Mill!

Step into the imaginative world of low-budget, home-shot puppet films created through the resourcefulness of the pandemic era. Discover how artist and filmmaker Daniel A. Kelin II transformed limited space and simple resources into inventive visual storytelling, creating films that have reached audiences around the world.

Film Night with Daniel A. Kelin II
Hand-made Journeys: Multimedia tales of island ecology and culture
Thursday, October 15 from 5:30 – 7:30pm
Free & open to the public

The evening begins with a welcome and potluck, followed by the program at 6:00pm. If you’re able, please bring a healthy dish to share and/or something to drink for the communal dinner.

10/07/2026

10/01/2026

October is a full month at the Mill. We’ve got a little bit of everything happening this month. From film nights and multimedia workshops to fiber arts, teen architecture, and, of course, this weekend’s Cool Fusion: Festival of 1000 Bowls.

Find details about all of our upcoming classes and workshops on our website. Spaces are still available in many classes. Get registered today: https://donkeymillartcenter.org/happening-now/

09/29/2026

Next week, Teaching artist Tomoko Nakazato invites young artists ages 9 – 12 into a world of imagination through the celebration of the seasons. Using mixed media, keiki will explore celestial mythical creatures, monsters, and folklore as they create original sculptures and shadow puppets.

There are a few spaces left. Registration is stil open! Learn more and register today: https://donkeymillartcenter.org/event/?event=6929

Fall Art Experience Ages 9 – 12 with Tomoko Nakazato
Tuesday – Friday, October 6 – 9 from 9:00am – 3:00pm

09/29/2026

Spaces are still available in next week’s Fall Art Experience for keiki ages 6 – 8!

Teaching Artist Heather Scarbrough leads Art & Drama Adventures, a 4-day workshop blending hands-on art-making with storytelling, improv, movement, and play. Keiki will explore, move, create, and build confidence through games, creative exercises, and art projects.

Fall Art Experience Ages 6 – 8 with Heather Scarbrough
Tuesday – Friday, October 6 – 9 from 9:00am – 3:00pm

Find details and registration here: https://donkeymillartcenter.org/event/?event=6924

09/24/2026

For the safety of our community and staff, Donkey Mill Art Center and our studios will be closed Friday & Saturday, September 25 & 26 due to the impending storm.

We plan to reopen on Wednesday, September 30 during our regular hours.

Please stay safe, take care, and follow local guidance as the storm approaches. Mahalo nui for your understanding!

09/24/2026

Due to the severe weather expected to impact Hawaiʻi Island this weekend, Cool Fusion has been rescheduled to Saturday, October 3 from 11:00am – 3:00pm. With significant rain, wind, and potentially hazardous conditions in the forecast, we feel this is the best decision for everyone involved in the event.

Tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled event. If you are unable to attend, we encourage you to pass your ticket(s) along to someone you know.

For ticket holders who are unable to attend on October 3 and cannot pass their ticket(s) along, we will offer a selection of handmade bowls for pick-up on Thursday and Friday, October 8 and 9, from 10:00am – 5:30pm. While tickets are non-refundable, we want to make sure every ticket holder still has the opportunity to receive a handmade bowl.

Mahalo nui for your understanding and continued support of the Donkey Mill. We hope everyone is preparing for the storm ahead, staying safe, and we look forward to gathering with you soon.