The Hilo Makery celebrated its first anniversary during downtown Hilo’s recent Black &White Night, and invites the public back to continue the merrymaking Dec. 5 during Red &White Night’s First Friday Art Walk.
The Hilo Makery celebrated its first anniversary during downtown Hilo’s recent Black &White Night, and invites the public back to continue the merrymaking Dec. 5 during Red &White Night’s First Friday Art Walk.
During an open house from 5-9 p.m., visitors will be treated to festive family fun including ornament making, refreshments and live music.
The Makery is a collection of tools, machines, materials, and know-how that empowers individuals to turn ideas into tangible products. It’s mission is “to empower people to create, manufacture and sell valuable products while adhering to the philosophy of made in Hawaii, by people who live in Hawaii, using environmentally responsible materials and processes.”
The Makery is becoming a model for a self-funding community-driven vocational training and incubation facility that prepares people from within the community for jobs that either already exist within the community or that need to be created to make the community more self sufficient.
The gallery gift shop has become a popular stop for strollers during Hilo’s First Friday Art Walk. “It’s a gathering place well-known for the good food, interesting art and fun people.
We remind people that the gallery and gift shop are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., so they can always come back to shop,” said volunteer marketing coordinator Alice Moon.
With special guest musicians joining in on Red &White Night, Neil Scott, owner and founder of The Makery, will play a Hawaiian steel guitar that he designed and manufactured. While adults mingle and enjoy the music, keiki of all ages are invited to decorate an ornament at the worktable.
Koa boxes, cutting boards and jewelry, steel guitars, animal kits, puzzles, lamps, and more designed and manufactured by artists and volunteers at The Makery will be available for holiday shoppers in the gift shop.
Paintings by guest artist Joe Kalima, well-known for his work on Merrie Monarch Festival poster designs, will be featured in the gallery. Born and raised in the Keaukaha Hawaiian Homesteads, Kalima’s works are inspired by music and hula, traditions passed on to him from his large and talented family and perpetuated through his art and his four children.
The community is invited to meet and talk story with Kalima during the open house. His works will be on display through the month of December.
For more information about The Hilo Makery, call 933-8571 or visit Facebook.