Art is Healing

Art has long been recognized for its power to connect individuals of different backgrounds and experiences, by sharing our stories; building empathy, compassion, and respect for one another. Every year, Hawai’i Island Community Health Center welcomes submissions by local artists for our annual juried exhibit.

A feature of Art Is Healing that sets it apart from other exhibitions is that the artwork that is purchased from the show is donated to HICHC to become part of our permanent art collection, displayed throughout our health centers for patients, visitors, and staff to enjoy. By bringing the visual arts into the healing process, we hope that those who walk through our doors experience a greater connection to one another and to our community.

Our 2024 Exhibit theme is Kanjin Kaname: Divine Mind, Divine Eyes

We invite artists from all backgrounds using diverse media to submit their work for the upcoming exhibition, Art Is Healing, a celebration of the transformative power of art and the journey of returning to one’s center and essence.

In a world that can pull us in many directions, it’s easy to lose sight of who we are and what grounds us. Art is Healing seeks to explore the process of reconnecting with one’s true self—finding stillness amidst chaos, rediscovering inner strength, and embracing the authenticity that lies at the core of our being. We are inspired by the concept of Kanjin Kaname, which speaks of the “divine mind, divine eyes”—a principle that suggests that through a divine perspective and insight, we can uncover the essence of our being. In this exhibition, we invite you to reflect on how this insight illuminates our journey of self-discovery, restoration, and renewal.

Whether through painting, printmaking, photography, or mixed media, we ask you to delve into a profound space where healing begins, where you reclaim balance, peace and joy; your interpretation of what it means to return to one’s center can help guide others on their own healing journey. 

Our 2025 Jurors:

Setsuko Watanabe and Mina Elison

Setsuko Watanabe, a self-taught artist originally from Kanagawa, Japan, has explored a variety of art forms, from photography and fiber arts to clay, mixed-media painting, and printmaking. Watanabe has exhibited widely and received awards for her work, with pieces in public and corporate collections, including the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

After moving to Hawai‘i in 1970 and marrying Hiroki Morinoue, she founded Studio 7 Fine Arts Gallery, the longest-standing contemporary art gallery in Hawai‘i. She played a key role in the creation of the Donkey Mill Art Center and served as its volunteer program director for over a decade, developing educational programs that continue to shape the center’s youth initiatives.

Watanabe was also a pivotal organizer of the 2017 International Mokuhanga Conference, bringing Japanese woodblock printmaking to Hawai‘i. Throughout her career, she has been a passionate advocate for art education and cultural community building. 

Mina Elison is a Kanaka ‘Ōiwi curator who was born and raised in Kailua on the island of O‘ahu. With generational ties to South Kona on Hawai‘i, Mina currently serves as Curator at the Donkey Mill Art Center in Kona, Hawai‘i, where she curates exhibitions and programming featuring local and international artists working in diverse media from kapa to film.

She sees the gallery as a classroom, laboratory, and gathering space which inspires exploration, reflection, and healing; art can be a catalyst for meaningful and challenging dialogue. Embracing the kuleana of her position as curator, Elison aims to develop collaborative exhibitions which amplify stories and perspectives of those whose voices have been suppressed, misrepresented, or have not yet been heard.

Previously holding the position of Museum Curator at the Kona Historical Society, Elison earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Anthropology, and French from the University of San Diego, and a Master of Arts in Museum Studies from New York University.