Exhibits

Emily DuBois – Escapes

Joyce Jeffers – Bound Yet Free

June 11 – July 19, 2026

Kahilu Exhibits presents solo exhibitions by two contemporary artists with deep ties to Hawaiʻi whose artwork explores traditional Pacific textiles traditions.

Emily DuBois is an internationally acclaimed artist, now living in Portugal, best known for her pioneering work in expressive digital weaving. Her solo exhibition, Escapes, in Kahilu’s Simperman Gallery, presents new abstract mixed media collages and paintings on deconstructed tapa (Tongan barkcloth). After the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea forced the artist to leave her long-time home near Pahoa, DuBois and her spouse landed in Portugal. The work in the exhibit is deeply influenced by the artist’s respect for Pele and the Portuguese concept of saudade, a bittersweet longing for something loved and lost.

In Kahilu’s Suli T. Go Gallery, Maui-based artist, Joyce Jeffers, presents new sculptures and monotype prints made from materials emanating from the ʻāina of Hawaiʻi: lauhala, wauke, cordage, and feathers. Each artwork in Bound Yet Free has elements of interlocking and interconnectedness through processes of weaving, braiding, or sewing. The structures that Jeffers has created appear strong yet permeable, fragile yet enduring. In the artist’s first solo exhibition, viewers are invited to consider what binds and what frees, what is held and what is let go.

Both exhibitions open with public reception on Thursday, June 11 from 5-7pm.

Kahilu’s Simperman & Suli T. Go Galleries are Open:

-Before and After performances on Kahilu’s mainstage

-Regular Gallery Hours: Wednesdays and Thursdays 10am – 2pm

-By Appointment: call (808) 345-6690 or email gallery@kahilu.org

*appointments are encouraged! please reach out a day before your proposed visit*

Kahilu Exhibits presents solo exhibitions by two contemporary artists with deep ties to Hawaiʻi whose artwork explores traditional Pacific textiles traditions.

Both exhibitions open with public reception on Thursday, June 11 from 5-7pm.

Coming Soon...

Galleries showcase patterned quilts on the walls, textile art pieces on mannequins, and framed photographs displayed on white walls with dark wood flooring.

Kahilu’s annual Call for Exhibition Proposals for 2027 exhibits in NOW open! Deadline to submit is August 10, 2026 at 11:59pm HST. Visit the link to learn more.

Kahilu Exhibits is the visual arts program at Kahilu Theatre, featuring 10-12 exhibitions each year. The program is anchored by our annual community exhibitions including a Juried Art Exhibition (January – February), Hawaiʻi Island Luminaries Solo Exhibition Series (March-April), Waimea All Schools Art Exhibition (April-May), and an annual Cultural Heritage Exhibition.

Each year, Kahilu welcomes proposals from solo artists, artist groups, curators, cultural practitioners, and community organizations for exhibitions in our two galleries through callforentry.org. Kahilu’s Simperman Gallery and Suli T. Go Gallery offer different opportunities for large-scale artworks or more intimate exhibitions. Proposals can be made to use both galleries, or focus on one gallery in particular. As many as six proposals will be selected by Kahilu’s Exhibits Committee to fill open exhibition slots in 2027.

Kahilu’s Simperman Gallery is a large open space that features two 38 foot long exhibition walls that stretch 10 feet tall under a slanted wooden ceiling that begins 4 feet above the exhibition walls. It is tailor made for large wall mounted artworks, hanging installations, and large sculptures. This space is often used to showcase the artwork of established mid-career artists on Hawaiʻi Island and beyond.

The Suli T. Go Gallery offers a more intimate exhibition experience, with 6-7 walls of various sizes. This space has proved to be wonderful for smaller wall mounted artworks and experimental installations. Kahilu’s Exhibitions Committee has made it a point to consider first-time solo exhibitions for this gallery space, offering the expertise of our staff to help shape an emerging artists’ first solo exhibition.

Kahilu’s staff offers museum-quality support to artists and curators in the preparation of exhibition materials, designing layouts, and creating special displays to deliver the highest quality exhibitions possible.

Exhibits featuring all media are encouraged to apply, including, by not limited to: painting, drawing, photography, fibers, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics, video, sound art, installation, new media, fashion, and traditional crafts.

Join the Kahilu Exhibits mailing list to receive updates on what is happening in the galleries and to stay informed about our exhibition opportunities.

E Ola Ke Kahua O Ka Hana Kapa - The Foundation of Kapa Making Thrives

E Ola Ke Kahua o Ka Hana Kapa: The Foundation of Kapa Making Thrives November 14, 2024 - January 6, 2025 Simperman Gallery and Suli T. Go Gallery Curated by kumu kapa Roen Hufford, recipient of a 2023 National Heritage Fellowship from the National En...

Surrounded by Water – August 2023

Kahilu Exhibits was pleased to welcome back Hawaiʻi Handweavers’ Hui’s Biennial Juried Exhibition. Surrounded by Water is an international exhibition juried by Stacie Robinson, a Research Ecologist with NOAA’s Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program. Thi...

Legacies: Paniolo of Waimea – June 2023

It may seem as though the legacy of paniolo (cowboys) in Waimea is a lost or fading tradition- a vestige of a time now past. Many things have changed regarding life in Waimea over the years, but the legacy set forth by our ancestors and forebears con...

Peter Durst Ceramic Connections - March 2022

Peter Durst has been a potter, ceramicist, and sculptor for almost 50 years and has exhibited his work nationally in galleries, art centers, museums, private collections and public spaces. After receiving a BA from Allegheny College and a JD from NYU...

Patricia Uehara ...perceptions... June 2022

Kahilu Exhibits, at Kahilu Theatre, is proud to present a solo exhibition of recent works by local multimedia artist and photographer, PATRICIA UEHARA. Uehara’s exhibition, ...perceptions..., opens with a public reception on Thursday, June 23 from 5 ...

Bailey Ferguson Blue Mind - September 2022

Bailey Ferguson presents abstract paintings that explore her connection to the ocean in Blue Mind. Inspired by author Wallace J. Nichols’ book of the same title and her passion for surfing, Ferguson is a keen observer of the movement of water and its...

Kahilu Exhibits features thought-provoking solo and thematic group shows, highlighting both emerging and established visual artists from our local community and around the world. Our Exhibition Committee carefully curates each exhibit through a proposal and review process via CaFÉ (callforentry.org), ensuring a dynamic and engaging artistic experience for all visitors.

Committed to fostering creativity and growth, our educational outreach initiatives include school visits, artist talks, workshops, and publications that encourage the visual arts to be a catalyst for personal and community development. To stay informed about our calls for proposals and upcoming exhibitions, join our mailing list and connect with us at 808-885-6868 or gallery@kahilu.org.

For a unique and immersive experience, explore our virtual gallery and exhibition tours on Kahilu.TV, where you can appreciate the beauty of the arts from the comfort of your own home. Discover the captivating world of visual arts at Kahilu and let your imagination soar.

Kahilu’s galleries are open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM or by appointment.

Appointments can be made by calling (808) 885-6868 or emailing the gallery.

The galleries are also open before and after performances on Kahilu’s mainstage.

Latest Exhibits

Discover the latest exhibits at Kahilu, featuring a captivating array of visual art from talented local and global artists, sure to spark inspiration and ignite your imagination.