Art is Healing Celebrates Wellness Through Creative Expression
Art is Healing Celebrates Wellness Through Creative Expression
Opening Reception set for Saturday, May 24
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (May 12, 2025) – Hawai‘i Island Community Health Center (HICHC) invites the community to its opening reception of Kanjin Kamame, Divine Mind, Divine Eyes Art is Healing juried exhibit on Saturday, May 24 from 6 pm to 8 pm at its Kealakehe location.
This lively art event invites the community to join the health center for an unforgettable evening filled with color, joy, while promoting the transformative healing power of art. The annual event highlights the intersection of art, health, and culture, celebrating the work of local artists whose work will become part of the health center’s permanent collection.
The opening reception will include light pūpū, live music, and remarks from featured artists and health center leaders. Guests will have the opportunity to engage with the art, speak with contributors, and learn about HICHC’s programs that support whole-person care on Hawai‘i Island.
Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Tickets: $50
Location: Hawaii Island Community Health Center Kealakehe Pavilion
74-5214 Keanalehu Drive, Kailua-Kona
What makes the “Art is Healing” event different?
The “Art Is Healing” event is different from other art exhibitions as the artwork purchased from the show is then donated back to the health center to become part of its permanent art collection and displayed throughout its island-wide locations for patients, visitors, and staff to enjoy.
This year’s art exhibit theme is Kanjin Kamame, Divine Mind, Divine Eyes, a principle that suggests that through a divine perspective and insight, we can uncover the essence of our being. In a world that can pull us in many directions, it’s easy to lose sight of who we are and what grounds us.
Esteemed Jurors
Setsuko Watanabe Morinoue and Mina Elison are this year’s honored art jurors.
Setsuko Watanabe Morinoue, a self-taught artist from Japan, has explored many art forms, from fiber arts and photography to ceramics, mixed media painting and printmaking. An award-winning artist, her pieces have exhibited widely with pieces in public, and corporate collections, including the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
Mina Elison is a Native Hawaiian curator born and raised on Oahu. With generational ties to South Kona, she was previously the Museum Curator at the Kona Historical Society and currently serves as the Donkey Mill Art Center Curator where she produces exhibitions and programming that features both local and international artists.
Visit www.HICommunityHealthCenter.org for more event information.
About Hawai’i Island Community Health Center
Hawai’i Island Community Health Center’s mission is to provide quality, comprehensive, and integrated health care services accessible to all, regardless of their ability to pay.
The Hawai’i Island Community Health Center commenced operations in July 2022 with the merger of East Hawai’i’s Bay Clinic and West Hawai’i Community Health Center. The newly formed organization is the largest non-profit community health center in the State of Hawai’i. Hawai’i Island Community Health Center employs approximately 450+ health care professionals and support staff, serves over 40,000 residents island-wide and has an operating budget of nearly $50 million.
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Media Contacts
Hawaii Island Community Health Center
Emily Crabill
ERCrabill@HiCommunityHealthCenter.org
‘Ohana Health Plan
Rachel Wilkinson
MediaInquiries.HI@centene.com
Centene Foundation
mediainquiries@centene.com