DOWNTOWN ART CENTER
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Second Floor Gallery Hours: Tues-Sun 11 AM to 5 PM
DAC Art & Gifts Shop Hours: Tues-Sat 11 AM to 5 PM
River to Richards: Documentary Photography in Hawaiʻi 2025
CALL TO ARTISTS NOW OPEN! August 4 - September 5, 2025
Current Main Gallery Exhibition
Hawaii Watercolor Society 2025 Open Exhibition
On View July 29 - August 23, 2025
This exhibition by Hawaii Watercolor Society features 62 gorgeous paintings in water media by 51 local artists, selected by juror Gary Tucker.
Free Juror’s Demonstration: Sunday, July 27, from 2-4 p.m.
Opening Reception: First Friday, August 1, from 5-8 p.m
Current Courtyard Gallery Exhibition
HOPE: A Solo Acrylic Painting Exhibition by Marina Borovok
On View August 1 - 30, 2025
Marina Borovok is a visual artist who relocated to Hawaii in 2020, where she quickly became captivated by the island’s Aloha Spirit. After settling in Oahu, she became an active member of the Mark Brown Group of Plein Air Painters, engaging in outdoor painting sessions every Saturday.
Born in the former Soviet Union, Marina’s academic background is rooted in the sciences. She holds a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Biology, as well as an M.S. in Education from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. Although she began her career in the scientific field, her passion for art led her to explore and develop her creative practice.
Marina now teaches art workshops both in-person at her studio in Waialua, HI, and online via Zoom. She is deeply committed to her students' artistic growth and is continually inspired by their progress and enthusiasm. In addition to teaching, Marina takes on commissioned works, offering bespoke paintings tailored to her clients’ visions.
Her artwork can be viewed at her online gallery here.
“Hope” by Marina Borovok
Current Classroom Exhibition
KCDA Presents: Korean Artist Solo International Exhibitions
On View in the Classroom, August 12 - 14, 2025
KCDA Presents: Invited International Exhibition
On View in the Classroom, August 15-17, 2025
DAC is honored to welcome six traveling solo exhibitions from Korean artists, invited by the Korea Craft Designer Association!
Invited Solo Exhibitions:
Yoon, Jae Won
Shin, Ji A
Bae, Jungwon
Lee, Jeehee "Beyond What is Seen"
Sun Rui "TengRy - Nomadic Yurt"
Jeon, Seo Young
The second half of this exhibition, a group international exhibition, features the work of artists from 28 participating countries. This exhibition presents documentation of the finest examples of contemporary crafts in a variety of media from an international group of artisans.
Upcoming Events & Exhibitions
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Literature Reading with Pat Matsueda & Friends
Friday, August 15 from 5-7 p.m. FREE and open to the public! No RSVP necessary.
You are cordially invited to a special reading by local author Pat Matsueda and friends at DAC, Friday August 15 from 5-7 p.m. in the first floor Studio 1C. We will also be celebrating the release of Pat's new book, "Tailspin and Other Stories," and the author's birthday! Copies of books will be available for purchase and signing by the authors.
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DAC Wellness Workshop: Awesome August
Saturday, August 24 from 2-4 p.m., $10 per person.
Find the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Sweat the small stuff—in a good way! Jump into a variety of hands-on art experiences.
Discover seeds of hope in nature. Turn over a new leaf—print using plants. Make flower-press bookmarks, and other fun activities.
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2025 DAC Student Art Show
On view in the Classroom September 4 - November 1, 2025
Downtown Art Center is proud to present our Annual Student Show, celebrating our community of creative learners! The exhibition is open to former and current students of Downtown Art Center who have participated in casual or fine arts classes and workshops.
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Upcoming Exhibition: DAC Collectors' Art Sale & Exhibition Fundraiser
On View September 5-26, 2025 in the Main Gallery
The DAC Collectors’ Art Sale, curated by Alison Wong, invites collectors to consign fine art from their personal collections to benefit DAC’s exhibitions program and support the growth of Hawaiʻi’s vibrant art community.
Collectors’ Sale VIP Preview Reception, Thursday, Sept. 4, from 5:30-8 p.m.
Be the first to see and buy hundreds of amazing works of art! Valet parking with continuous shuttle service will be provided. Tickets: $150
___Public Opening Reception: First Friday, September 5, from 5:30-8 p.m. Free and open to the public.
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Upcoming Exhibition: Tokyo's GYAGYAGYA GALLERY Presents "Shima To Shima"
On View September 23-27, 2025 in the Courtyard Gallery
Downtown Art Center proudly hosts Tokyo’s GYAGYAGYA GALLERY in a groundbreaking cross-cultural exhibition — the first time a Japanese gallery has presented a curated show at DAC!
Featuring 10 emerging Japanese artists from the GYA School, “Shima to Shima” explores the emotional, cultural, and spiritual resonance between Japan and Hawai‘i through painting, sculpture, mixed media, and conceptual installation.
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From the HEART: Celebrating Historic Downtown Honolulu
This September 2025, Downtown Art Center (DAC) presents From the HEART, a two-day celebration of our vibrant, historically-important neighborhood and its creative community!
Hosted in partnership with resident historian Gary Coover and the Fort Street Mall Business Improvement District, the event also marks DAC’s 5-year anniversary of hosting local arts exhibitions.
Day 1 – Friday, September 26: An evening arts market in Wilcox Park at Fort Street Mall will feature local arts and crafts vendors, food, live music, and more! The event aims to engage and inform the community about the rich, vibrant history of Honolulu’s historic Downtown district.
Day 2 – Saturday, September 27: Daytime activities at DAC for its 5th Anniversary will include a plein air timed outdoor painting competition focused on scenes from Downtown and Chinatown, along with live music, interactive art experiences, and celebratory treats.
Calls to Artists
River to Richards: Documentary
Photography in Hawaiʻi 2025
Downtown Art Center invites Hawaii photographers to submit their documentary images of Downtown/Chinatown Honolulu to this exhibition, juried by award-winning photojournalist PF Bentley.
Hawaii Statewide Open Call Period: August 4 - September 5, 2025
Exhibition Dates: , November 6 - 29, 2025
Location: Downtown Art Center Main Exhibition Gallery
Cost: $15 for each single photograph entry (limit 10 entries); $45 for each series of photos (no more than 5 pieces total per series)
2025 DAC Student Art Show
This special exhibition celebrates the creativity and dedication of our community of learners. Whether you’ve taken a casual workshop or a fine arts class at DAC, we welcome you to submit your artwork created using techniques you've learned in our arts education program!
Eligibility: Open to current and former students of Downtown Art Center art classes.
Exhibition Dates: September 4 - November 1, 2025
Location: Downtown Art Center Classroom
Cost: No entry fee!
DAC Special Projects & Community Support
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DAC Art & Gifts Retail Shop
Our curated first floor retail shop is a showcase gallery where local artists can sell their artwork, and visitors can buy unique gifts created by Hawaiʻi artists.
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Vacant to Vibrant
Our Vacant to Vibrant project aims to prove that Downtown/Chinatown Honolulu’s vacant spaces can come alive again, as valuable hubs of art, creativity, and community involvement.
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Public Art WORKS!
Our initiative to beautify Downtown/Chinatown Honolulu through the power of the arts employs artists to create colorful, fun, photogenic, and uplifting public art pieces that the community can enjoy.
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HEART of Honolulu Street Festivals
HEART is an acronymn that stands for Heritage, Entertainment, Arts & culture, Restaurants, and Theatre & Performing Arts. Together, these elements make up the core of our vibrant creative community, and are the focus of our annual HEART of Honolulu arts festival on
Nuuanu Avenue each April.