Isaacs Art Center

Isaacs Art Center

File:IACLogoB.png
File:IsaacsExterior.jpg Exterior view of the Isaacs Art Center
Established	2004
Location	65-1268 Kawaihae Road, Kamuela, HI 96743
Director	Mollie M. Hustace
Website	isaacsartcenter.hpa.edu
Waimea Elementary School
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Coordinates
Built	1915
Architectural style	Hawaiian plantation
Restored	June 2002 - March 2004
NRHP Reference #	05000541
Added to NRHP	June 8, 2005
Hawaii Preparatory Academy

The Isaacs Art Center is an art museum and retail gallery in Waimea on the Island of Hawaii. It is operated by and for the benefit of the Hawaii Preparatory Academy; all proceeds benefit the school's scholarship fund.

In addition to its retail holdings, the center houses an expansive permanent collection of Hawaiian, Pan-Pacific, and Asian art, including the world's largest intact collection of works by Madge Tennent. Among the many major artists represented are Jean Charlot, D. Howard Hitchcock, Herb Kawainui Kane, Huc-Mazelet Luquiens, Ben Norris, Louis Pohl, Horatio Nelson Poole, Lloyd Sexton, Jr., and Lionel Walden.

Building history

Schoolhouse

The 5,580-square-foot (518 m²) building was constructed in 1915 as the Waimea Elementary School. At its completion, the structure was the first public school in the historic ranching community of Waimea and among the earliest schoolhouses built in the Hawaiian plantation style. Locally, its size reflects the gradual increase in population that Waimea experienced in the early 20th century; nationally, a civic trend toward standardized American education.

The original architect and contractor responsible for the schoolhouse remain unknown. In 1916, it welcomed its first students, most of them the children of Parker Ranch employees.

Military hospital

Between 1942 and 1946, the Waimea Elementary School served as a makeshift field hospital for United States Marine Corps troops stationed in or around Waimea. At the war's peak, the region was host to approximately 30,000 G.I.s operating out of Camp Tarawa; many would later contribute to major campaigns on Iwo Jima and Okinawa, two decisive installments in the Pacific theatre.

Restoration and conversion

It was restored between 2002 and 2004, with George Isaacs being the major donor. The building itself was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. The museum opened in 2004.

Collection

The art center’s installation intermixes its own permanent art collection with loans from private collectors and works for sale. The art on display consists primarily of paintings by early and mid-twentieth century Hawaii artists.

The permanent collection includes about 30 oil paintings and 40 works on paper by Madge Tennent. Other Hawaii artists represented include Jean Charlot, Martha Greenwell, D. Howard Hitchcock, Herb Kawainui Kane, Huc-Mazelet Luquiens, Ben Norris, Louis Pohl, Horatio Nelson Poole, Lloyd Sexton, Jr., and Lionel Walden.

The Art Center is located at 65-1268 Kawaihae Road in Waimea. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission and parking are free.

Selections from the permanent collection of paintings

• Bartlett Duke Kahanamoku.jpg

  Charles W. Bartlett, Duke Kahanamoku, ca. 1918

• Hitchcock Cottages Amongst the Palms.jpg

  D. Howard Hitchcock, Cottages Amongst the Palms, 1932

• Lionel Walden - 'Racing Yachts', oil on canvas, c. 1900.JPG

  Lionel Walden, Racing Yachts, ca. 1900

• Wores Diamond Head by Moonlight.jpg

  Theodore Wores, Diamond Head by Moonlight, 1902

External links

• The Isaacs Art Center’s website