Donkey Mill Art Center

This random stop became one of our favorites. We loved seeing some local art (and buying some too) as well as meeting the staff and watching a class!

Really lovely place to stop in for a visit during our recent trip. We were looking for a place where we could spend a bit of time with a 6 month old baby and this was a great choice. We looked at the exhibit, walked the lovely grounds (saw roosters which my son loved), observed the pottery class that was going on, and then bought some unique local art from the gift shop. Staff were friendly and we felt very welcome to relax and explore. It was nice to visit a “locals” spot and not somewhere specifically catered to tourists. The Art Center, combined with Kaya’s Cafe down the road was the perfect laid-back afternoon.

Great place to get your creativity and artist fix. Wonderful teachers and a variety of mediums.

One of my favorite places! Whenever zi am there, I feel an energy of creativity in the air, of course, on the walls and shelves! The staff are very helpful, they also keep the art center sanitized and during the covid pandemic, have been very creative in availing the community to online Zoom art classes for children, youth and adults. Recently, they provided an actual exhibit tour, which my ohana and I attended at the Art Center, under safe rules of distancing and wearing face masks. Well done! ♡♡

Spent a wonderful evening meeting the artists and admiring their masterful and witty creations at the 15th Annual Faculty Exhibit. The Centre is the perfect place to take a class or a course, beginner or advanced, it welcomes all comers.

Great to see what local enthusiasm and dedication have wrought. Local art, all mediums, unique goods in the SHOP, but most works are also for sale. This was an old coffee mill building saved and re-purposed.

Teen Summer Art Experience is in it's first week and they are printing like maniacs!

Lovely programs for kids - surely adults too but kids activities is why we discovered the Center. Wish there were more tho!

Pretty good art center on the Big Island of Hawai'i, and although they were in the process of changing exhibits during my particular visit, they have quite a bit to offer in terms of different kinds of local art. Classes and workshops are also offered at this location.

Me and my family LOVE the Mill! Awesome classes. Our whole family of four has taken different classes here. Very community oriented, friendly staff, great classes and events!! Love supporting the Donkeymill. Great place to have on this side of the island!!

Excellent in many ways, yours to discover. Even if you don't think you have an artistic bone in your body this venue allows to explore the artist within you. This is not just a place of learning and education but a community. For those really not inclined artistically, they have a great gift shop with unique gifts that are locally crafted that meets any budget.

Some good art. Other than that, is seems very disorganized and it is not convenient for kids classes and other community classes. I feel like it is intended for the small group of people who are there all of the time and not for anyone else. If it is only for a few people it should be closed or at least say it is for a select grpup and not receive public funds or donations.

Stopped by along the drive, and there is actually some real nice art work here. There's some actually very talented pieces being displayed which actually really surprised me. I was greeted by a local who grew up on the big island, but she also spent much of her life in DC, sporting her Batala shirt. So as another Washingtonian we chatted up quite good and she was very nice with explanations about the artist enclave. Two cats are also available for petting, one more so than the other. That would be Ninja, who can't get enough attention. Items from the artists are also for sale as well. It's a simple easy going and fine stop if that's what you are interested in. Go pet the cat at least if anything. mmm pets... meow.

Donkeymill is an important institution of support for art and artists. Their creative crew have integrity, experience and a worldly connection that is reflected through the programs offered, teachers chosen and involvement in the community. Whether having just moved here or a long time resident or just visiting, Donkeymill is a Must See stop, and shop fine art!

The Donkey Mill Art Center is one of the hidden gems of the Big Island. The first time I came I was blown away by the quality of the work of some of the artist, very different from what you see in Kona's commercial art galleries. They offer a great variety of courses oriented for beginner artists as well as for professional and kids. Their strongest mediums are ceramics and print making. It is a lovely place to gather with a fantastic community of artists and get inspired. They have many great events ranging from music and art exhibitions to movie nights. For information about their business hours, events and workshops you may visit their website. If you are looking experience something different than pineapple art,dolphins and rainbows, this is the place for you.

Donkey Mill Art Center has become a favorite spot to spend my free time. It's great for self motivated projects. Come with your own ideas. with on going conversations you will have with others at the center, your ideas are sure to expand. You will be inspired and you'll surly inspire others as well. The center has a lot to offer in ceramics and print making and there is always something different and new.

Donkey MIll Art Center is amazing! With its limited resouces and dedicted community of local artists, that go up and beyond the call of duty, it's a true gem of the island! My daugther started at the DMAC as a five year old in the their summer art program and enjoyed it year after year! As a teen the folks there were swift to recognize her talent and to encourage her to become more involved and their mentorship was a priceless part of her last years on the island before heading off to Rhode Island School of Design. As a parent I noticed that all children were celebrated and encouraged at the DMAC. Each child's energy and creativity seemed to be their fuel! Not only did they invest themselves unselfishly but they also taught my daughter to share her love of the arts with local school children by inviting her to become involved in different programs with younger children both at the local elementary school and at the DMAC for summer programs for younger children once my daughter was in high school. DMAC also has various programs of varied mediums for adults! Get involved, donate and get on their mailing list! Go with an open heart and mind and marvel at your creatations! Most importantly when you visit the DMAC remember you are on the most isolated land mass in the world. (Try not to compare the DMAC with any other art center as it's one of a kind!) Its special charm is a result of a handful of amazing people dedicating much love and devotion. I cannot imagine having any other feeling but respect and admiration for what the DMAC has accomplished and what it continues to represent!

A LOCAL TREASURE The DMAC has a small gift shop of local artists' work, a gallery of rotating special exhibits, and several work areas for classes. The staff is warm and welcoming, and the instructors (both for the ongoing regular classes and the special workshops) are expert at what they do. Really a remarkable resource for the community and visitors. I've taken a few different classes and have become especially familiar with the ceramics studio. I find the instructors and fellow students quickly included me in their community and a large and diverse array of residents and visitors make this a vibrant asset for everyone.

Donkey Mill is a fabulous place to see the work of local artists with outstanding shows in the Gallery and world class guest artists teaching workshops. The staff is super friendly and helpful. If you're in the area for awhile or live here, you can take Printmaking classes, ceramics and more. I took a moku hanga class with Hiroki Mourinoue. It was amazing. I learned the basics of this traditional Japanese wood block printmaking. Hiroki is a great teacher and the class was fun and educational.

This is a wonderful Art Center with work from many local Kona artists in their gallery. It is also a great resource for art classes and as a meeting place for fellow artists. It is definitely worth a visit if you are exploring our island, just passing by or interested in finding out more about local history and ambience.