'Images of Old Hawaii' Exhibition at Oahu Country Club, March-April 2025
Over 20 pieces by John and Kate Kelly are on view at Oahu Country Club from March 5-April 11, 2025.
Over 20 pieces by both John and Kate Kelly are on view at Oʻahu Country Club from March 5 through April 11, 2025.
Set against the magnificent backdrop of the Koʻolau Mountains on Oʻahu, the Oʻahu Country Club features a rotating exhibition space in its dining and meeting areas, and an impressive collection of fine artwork by Hawaiʻi's master artists, including D. Howard Hitchcock, a distinguished club member.
While the club’s galleries are open to members only, the pieces in it may be viewed and purchased HERE.
For questions or inquiries regarding any of these pieces, please contact kellyarthawaii@gmail.com.
In Appreciation: A Thank You to Downtown Art Center
The Kelly family is grateful to Downtown Art Center for the opportunity to display the artistry of Kate and John Kelly in Hoʻopuka, To Emerge: The Love of Hula.
Photo: Tracy Chan/Downtown Art Center
The Kelly family is very grateful to Downtown Art Center for the opportunity to display the artistry of Kate and John Kelly. Hoʻopuka, To Emerge: The Love of Hula was a unique and very special exhibit honoring the sacred tradition of hula. Watch a movie of the pieces in the Kelly exhibit here.
Our deep appreciation and gratitude to Floyd Takeuchi for his amazing curation and production skills, and great advice. It was a pleasure to work with him on this special project.
This exhibit allowed Kelly Art Hawaiʻi (the Estate Collection), to showcase Kate’s photographs for the first time, and premiere a bronze statuette of Kate’s hula dancer.
Hula was a subject very dear to John, as he worked in numerous media with a hula theme. This includes oil, charcoal, and pastel.
We were able to rekindle our friendship with Sandy Pohl and marvel at the manifestation of her vision. The DAC is a true gem in Chinatown that is steadily emerging as a vitally important anchor for artists of Hawaiʻi.
Mahalo nui loa to Kumu Hula Auliʻi Mitchell for offering his manaʻo, hula and oli. We all benefited from his generous sharing.
It was heartening to share in the celebration of hula with the amazing artists involved, including:
Nancy Vilhauer
Lauren Okano
Sandra Blazel
Gordan K. Gestrich
Auliʻi Mitchell
Nalamakuikapo Asing
Margo Vitarelli
Floyd Takeuchi
Karen Lucas
The Kelly family could not have produced this exhibit without the amazing contributions of our amazing team:
Noelani Block, for being a gifted framer, photo curator, and great support.
Neil Sananikone, for his scanning genius, guidance, and reassurance.
Linda Yamamoto, for her extraordinary bronze casting of Kate’s hula dancer.
Jackie Mild Lau for her foundry and help with everything!
Dino Cutera for his graphic arts wizardry and for being an installer extraordinaire.
"How John & Kate Kelly Gave Back to Hawai’i" DAC Gallery Talk Story by Cha Smith
This talk was originally a Facebook Live event hosted on August 14th, 2021 at Downtown Art Center, during the show “Hoʻopuka: To Emerge - The Love of Hula.”
Parts of the artwork addressed in this talk are on view at the Downtown Arts Center gallery for the current show, “Hoʻopuka: To Emerge - The Love of Hula” on view through August 28th. With Cha is curator and photographer Floyd Takeuchi. Mahalo for watching!
This talk was originally a Facebook Live event hosted on August 14th, 2021. Click here to view on DAC’s facebook page.
"Hoʻopuku -- To Emerge: The Love of Hula" DAC's 2021 Exhibit
Article published in the Honolulu Star Advertiser highlighting the Kelly pieces featured in August DCA hula exhibit.
Dance Masterpieces, The Honolulu Star Advertiser
The Honolulu Star Advertiser published an article, “Dance Masterpieces: The Work of John and Kate Kelly highlight and exhibition on Hula” on August 1, 2021. You can view the article here via PDF and here on the Honolulu Star Advertiser’s website. Below is an August 1, 2021 article published in the Honolulu Star Advertiser.
New Video Introducing Multiple Artists in the DAC 2021 Exhibit “Hoʻopuka: To Emerge – The Love of Hula”.
New promotional film by Floyd Takeuchi, highlighting artists in the upcoming DAC exhibit, “Hoʻopuka: To Emerge – The Love of Hula.”
We are excited to share this video about the upcoming Downtown Arts Center exhibition, by Floyd K. Takeuchi, who himself is a photographer and curator of the upcoming show, “Hoʻopuka: To Emerge – The Love of Hula”. In it, participating artists meditate on their work, and the significance of Hula in our lives, community, history, and for them as artists. Big thanks to Jonah and Marlene, the dynamic duo that run Small Hour Films, which produced the video.
Visit the upcoming art exhibition “Hoʻopuka: To Emerge – The Love of Hula” at Downtown Art Center from August 3-28, Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., to see John Kelly's watercolor duo or diptych, “Saturday Afternoon and Saturday Night in Waikīkī” unveiled for the first time!
August 2021 Exhibit Honors Hula and Features John and Kate Kelly
Exciting News! SAVE THE DATE! August 3-28, 2021. A major exhibit at the new Downtown Art Center (Nuʻuanu @ Hotel St. in Chinatown), will feature the work of John and Kate Kelly as a “show within a show”.
Premiere works by John and Kate Kelly
A major exhibit at the new Downtown Art Center features over 40 works by John and Kate Kelly as a “show within a show”. “Hoʻopuka To Emerge: The Love of Hula” includes a variety of media from 10 other artists.
Floyd Takeuchi, a renown photographer, is curating the exhibit which runs from August 3rd through the 28th. Opening Reception on Friday, August 6 from 5 to 8 p.m.
This will be the first time ever that Kate Kellyʻs extraordinary photography will be exhibited! Hula themed photographs from 1930ʻs and 40ʻs will be premiered. Not to be missed!!
A variety of hula dancers by John Kelly will be exhibited; including drypoint and aquatint etchings, pastels, an oil painting and a work in charcoal.
Some never before seen artwork include:
—A bronze sculpture of Kate’s hula dancer from the early 1930ʻs.
—Kate’s extraordinary vintage photographs of backyard hula.
—Johnʻs duo of large colorful watercolors brialliantly illustrating people strolling in Waikiki on a Saturday afternoon and night.
—Hula dancers by John in a rare range of media, including oil, charcoal, and pastel.
Stay tuned for more information!
Downtown Art Center is located in Honoluluʻs Chinatown District at 1041 Nuʻuanu at Hotel St on the 2nd floor. They are open Tuesday - Sunday from 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
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