The Volcano Art Center is located within the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, close to the Kilauea visitor center. The art center is an educational organization whose mission it is to promote, develop, and perpetuate the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawaiʻi’s people and environment through activities in the visual, literary, and performing arts.
There also is the Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village which is mainly used for administration but also hosts the occasional classes, workshops and nature walks (address: 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd).
Within the center you will find a gallery that shows both traditional and contemporary work that is inspired by Hawaiʻi’s unique environment and rich cultural heritage. These works include hand-blown glass, jewelry featuring precious and semiprecious stones and metals, and a collection of two and three dimensional works in paint, photography, clay, fiber and mixed media.
You can learn more about the Volcano Art center in the following video:
Events at the Volcano Art Center
The art center organizes a lot of events which in which you can participate. See the list below for a taste of their Hula related events, music performances, workshops, events, movies nights and concerts:
Hula Arts at Kīlauea
For already almost 40 yours (since 1980!) the Volcano Art Center has sponsored a variety of award-winning activities and workshops that expose participants to aspects of the rich Hawaiian culture from both the Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village and the Volcano Art Center Gallery inside of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (HVNP).
These activities include:
- The Hula Kahiko: A traditional form of hula and chant performed outdoors. This is a real must-see if you are interested in Hawaiian culture, you can find their ever changing schedule here.
- Aloha Friday Cultural Demonstrations: Every Friday Hawaiian practitioners share various aspects of their culture with storytelling and hands-on activities that include making lei, gourd instruments and hula implements, as well as lauhala weaving, kapa beating, hula (dance), oli (chant) and ʻukulele playing. More information here.
- Hula voices: A free and intimate “talk story” session with Hawaiʻi Island’s kumu hula. Hula practitioners share their hula genealogy, traditions, protocols, experiences, chants and choreography that are rooted in the ancient Hawaiian practice of hula and its associated arts. More info.
Music performances at the Volcano Art Center
There are currently two ongoing monthly live music events: Jazz in the Forest and Sounds at the Summit. You can find out more about these events here.
Classes and Workshops
Local artists help give art classes and workshops in topics including painting, pottery, glass staining, food preparation, etc. You can visit their website to look for upcoming demonstrations, classes and workshops.
Monday Movie Night
Monday Movie Nights start at 7pm and feature movies ranging from local films to Hollywood blockbusters, old and new. Movies are FREE but a $5 donation per-person is appreciated. Popcorn, soft drinks, beer and snacks are available for purchase. More information here.
Nature and Rain Forest at the Volcano Art Center
The Volcano Art Center campus in Volcano Village organizes a fantastic nature walk in their own piece of native rain forest. These one-hour-long walks take place rain or shine along an easy, level gravel trail. Reservations are not required but are appreciated for groups of five or more. Be prepared for rain in the rain forest! (more information)