About
The Keiki Arts Program takes place within the Donkey Mill Art Center, a historic Kona coffee mill building that has been adapted into studios, classrooms, and exhibition space. The program is part of a broader arts environment where novices work alongside experienced artists, and where both adult and youth programs are offered. From 2017 to 2021, youth participated in workshops, classes, and other events at the Mill as part of its overall programming.
• Ages: 5–11 years old
• Schedule: Open Wednesday–Saturday, 10am–6pm
Community members founded the Hōlualoa Foundation for Arts and Culture in 1994, and the organization purchased the former Kona coffee mill building in 2001. The Donkey Mill Art Center states that it is a place of convergence for the exploration of arts and culture to inform, inspire, and strengthen individual and collective well-being. Intergenerational connection is described as a core value, and 45% of classes, exhibitions, and events showcase the diverse cultural knowledge of the island community.
From 2017 to 2021, 640 artists exhibited their work at the Mill, and 20 exhibits offered free admission. During that same period, more than 2,800 adults and 970 youth attended workshops, classes, and other events, and $548,000 was paid to artists through teaching opportunities and gallery and retail sales. The organization reports providing $65,200 in youth program subsidies from 2017 to 2021 to make tuition more affordable, and 55 DOE teachers brought arts curriculum into their classrooms through the Artist in the Schools Program.
The Donkey Mill Art Center is on the SFCA Artistic Teaching Partners Roster and provides mentoring opportunities for teaching artists statewide. It is one of five partners with ARTS FIRST, a network whose mission is to provide high-quality arts education for every student in Hawaiʻi, and it lists regional partners including ARTS FIRST, Full Life Hawaiʻi, Hōlualoa Elementary School, Kahaluʻu Kūāhewa, Liliʻuokalani Trust, Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center, and Wodde Jippel.
The leadership team includes Ashley Raymond, Executive Director; Miho Morinoue, Program Director; Mina Elison, Curator; Gerald Lucena, Youth Program Coordinator; Cynthia Smith, Program & Marketing Manager; Sean Tessandori, Ceramics Studio Coordinator; Sonia Nelson, Donor Relations Manager; Abbey Hume, Development Manager; and Jocelynn Baumann, Guest Services Associate. A Mill member has stated, “The Donkey Mill has taught me the importance of taking intentional risks, gently pushing the limits of my comfort zone by asking myself ‘what happens when I/we….’”
Last updated March 17, 2026.
• Ages: 5–11 years old
• Schedule: Open Wednesday–Saturday, 10am–6pm
Community members founded the Hōlualoa Foundation for Arts and Culture in 1994, and the organization purchased the former Kona coffee mill building in 2001. The Donkey Mill Art Center states that it is a place of convergence for the exploration of arts and culture to inform, inspire, and strengthen individual and collective well-being. Intergenerational connection is described as a core value, and 45% of classes, exhibitions, and events showcase the diverse cultural knowledge of the island community.
From 2017 to 2021, 640 artists exhibited their work at the Mill, and 20 exhibits offered free admission. During that same period, more than 2,800 adults and 970 youth attended workshops, classes, and other events, and $548,000 was paid to artists through teaching opportunities and gallery and retail sales. The organization reports providing $65,200 in youth program subsidies from 2017 to 2021 to make tuition more affordable, and 55 DOE teachers brought arts curriculum into their classrooms through the Artist in the Schools Program.
The Donkey Mill Art Center is on the SFCA Artistic Teaching Partners Roster and provides mentoring opportunities for teaching artists statewide. It is one of five partners with ARTS FIRST, a network whose mission is to provide high-quality arts education for every student in Hawaiʻi, and it lists regional partners including ARTS FIRST, Full Life Hawaiʻi, Hōlualoa Elementary School, Kahaluʻu Kūāhewa, Liliʻuokalani Trust, Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center, and Wodde Jippel.
The leadership team includes Ashley Raymond, Executive Director; Miho Morinoue, Program Director; Mina Elison, Curator; Gerald Lucena, Youth Program Coordinator; Cynthia Smith, Program & Marketing Manager; Sean Tessandori, Ceramics Studio Coordinator; Sonia Nelson, Donor Relations Manager; Abbey Hume, Development Manager; and Jocelynn Baumann, Guest Services Associate. A Mill member has stated, “The Donkey Mill has taught me the importance of taking intentional risks, gently pushing the limits of my comfort zone by asking myself ‘what happens when I/we….’”
Last updated March 17, 2026.
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