Isaacs Art Center, Hawaii
Housed in a historic school building dating back to 1915, the Isaacs Art Center in Kamuela, outside Waimea, displays many Hawaiian art treasures and offers some works for sale. The renovated seven-room school house that once housed first- through seventh-grade classrooms, still has its original Douglas fir floors and sliding pocket doors, which doubled as blackboards.
Since the building’s relocation to the campus of the Hawaii Preparatory Academy, the art center’s mission has been twofold, said Director Bernard Nogues.
First, the center will display its permanent collection of 19th- and 20th-century Hawaiian artworks. The original works of art, represented by its collections, donations and consignments, include significant etchings, engravings, vintage furniture and koa woodwork. Its most famous painting is the “Lei Queen Fantasia,” a 10-foot by eight-foot oil painting by Madge Tennent created in 1934.
“She is one of the greatest artists on Hawaii,” said Nogues.
Its second objective is to raise money through its gallery offerings to fund scholarships to the academy, a boarding and day school for children kindergarten through grade 12. The center will also maintain a rotating exhibition space. Currently on display is Japanese art of the early 20th and late 19th century and classical Chinese furniture of the 19th century.
Isaacs Art Center, Hawaii
808-885-5884
www.hpa.edu
Leave a comment