Artistsʻ Professional Development Workshop Coming in July

Last yearʻs “Kipaipai: To Encourage and Inspire” workshop. Photo courtesy of Donkey Mill Art Center.

The Donkey Mill Art Center is hosting a special professional development workshop for artists from July 24 to 28 in Holualoa.

The 5-day workshop, called Kipaipai: To Encourage and Inspire, will focus on professional practices in gallery presentation, museum exhibitions, self-promotion, social media, the importance of critical writing, and strategizing personal and professional goals.

The workshop will include one-on-one sessions and group meetings with a team of guest professionals including: Art Historian Dr. Betty Brown, Maui Exhibitions and Sales Manager Cliff Benjamin, Critic/Writer/Curator Shana Nys Dambrot, Life Coach Diane Costigan, Los Angeles Gallerist Merry Karnowsky, Los Angeles Gallerist James Panozzo, Museum Curator Andi Campognone, and storytelling expert Mike O’Connor.

There will be optional morning and evening activities. Participants will have an opportunity to be chosen for a show of their work at Lyons Wier gallery in NYC.

Twelve applicants will be accepted for the intensive, personalized program, which will run Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Applications are available online and will be accepted through May 21. The online form allows applicants to upload photos of their work, answer questions and include an exhibit resume.

Here are reviews from students who participated in last yearʻs workshop:

“Attending the Kipaipai workshop was such a gift. I came away with a firm understanding of how to better present my work in public and in writing. I gained a wonderful peer group of fellow artists and connected with an amazing group of professionals in the art world. It was a game changer for me and I hope I get the chance to participate again.” – Margaret Shields

“Kipapai was a life changing week for me as an artist. To begin with I was on the beautiful island of Kona and got to do what I do best, photograph local surf spots. Andi was so generous with me and treated me like family allowing me to photograph her family surfing and to enjoy sunsets on the beach together. I did not rest for a minute. I came away so inspired and completed a new body of work and immediately was offered a solo show with dnj Gallery this past November. I also sold a commission to a new hotel in Newport Beach from the same body of work. The art professionals I met there and my fellow artists have become this magical network of support and friendship. Cannot recommend enough!” – Annie Seaton

Donkey Mill Art Center is the home of Holualoa Foundation for Arts and Culture, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit art education organization. Its mission is to provide a stimulating environment that helps individuals discover, develop and expand their artistic abilities. For more information, visit www.donkeymillartcenter.org or call (808) 322-3362.