Downtown Art Center - Grand Opening of Downtown Art Center Set for Saturday, June 19, 2021

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Downtown Art Center - Grand Opening of Downtown Art Center Set for Saturday, June 19, 2021
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HONOLULU'S DOWNTOWN ART CENTER CELEBRATES ITS GRAND OPENING ON SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 2021

Honolulu (June 1, 2021) – On Saturday, June 19, 2021, Downtown Art Center at 1041 Nuʻuanu Ave, Second Floor, in Chinatown Gateway Plaza, will be celebrating its grand opening all day, with an opening blessing ceremony and VIP reception from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and a free general reception open to the public from 1-6 p.m.

The dream of a downtown community art center in Honolulu was first conceived as early as 1995 by several local artists, businessmen and arts nonprofits. Discussions with the City and County to repurpose its vacant Department of Motor Vehicles and Finance Offices for the arts started nearly five years ago. Sandra Pohl, the former owner of Louis Pohl Gallery on Bethel Street, and one of the founders of First Friday, spearheaded the effort to ask the city for space in Chinatown Gateway Plaza and lobby the state Legislature for grant funding. The goal for her group of artistic movers and shakers was a City-endorsed art center run by a nonprofit, where artists and art organizations could hold exhibitions, art classes and workshops.

Two years ago, on May 20, 2019, the first incarnation of the Downtown Art Center on the first floor of the Chinatown Gateway Plaza, next door to Satellite City Hall's new location, held its soft opening. Now, the upstairs art space, which includes a 3,700 square-foot exhibition gallery, a performance space, a versatile room overlooking the courtyard that will host art classes and workshops, and two smaller meeting rooms, is ready to welcome the community with open arms.

The opening on June 19 will include live art, live music, performances by dance troupe Robena Collective, as well as a Collector's Afternoon Reception and Pop-Up Store from 2-5 p.m. hosted by June exhibition curators Mary Anne Long and Robert Mace as part of their show, Mace and Long: Artists In Our Collections.

 
For more information about the Grand Opening, visit downtownarthi.org, call (808) 773-7339 or email events@downtownarthi.org.  
About the Downtown Art Center (DAC):

Located in the Chinatown Gateway Plaza building at 1041 Nuʻuanu Ave., Second Floor, the nonprofit Downtown Art Center is an evolving gallery and workshop space for Oʻahu's arts scene. DAC strives to become a thriving center for the arts by providing display space for local artists and art organizations, workshop classrooms, performances, and more.

Parking for DAC is located at nearby municipal parking lots (onsite at Chinatown Gateway Plaza, parking entrance off Bethel Street) or at Mark's Garage (entrance at 22 S. Pauahi St.). DAC is easily accessible by public transit as well; get directions, routes and timetables at www.thebus.org.
 

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First Friday Hawaii News Item

Downtown Art Center - Grand Opening of Downtown Art Center Set for Saturday, June 19, 2021

First Friday Hawaii
News Item