‘Dance on the Edge of the Witches’ Cauldron’: Tom Klobe Curates Five Hawaii Artists at Downtown Art Center for May First Friday
Downtown Honolulu’s art scene gets a mystical twist this May as renowned local curator Tom Klobe presents “Dance on the Edge of the Witches’ Cauldron,” a provocative group exhibition featuring five Hawaii artists at the Downtown Art Center. The show opens Friday, May 1, with a 5:30 p.m. First Friday reception and runs through May 29.
Klobe, known for his thoughtful curation and eye for emerging talent, has assembled a diverse roster of artists whose work explores themes of transformation, ritual, and the liminal spaces between worlds. The exhibition title hints at the dance between creation and destruction, order and chaos that defines much contemporary art.
“I wanted to bring together artists who aren’t afraid to explore the darker, more mysterious aspects of the human experience,” Klobe said. “These five voices represent different approaches to that edge where comfort meets uncertainty.”
The featured artists span multiple generations and mediums. Painter Keiko Narahara, whose large-scale canvases often incorporate volcanic imagery and native Hawaiian flora, brings her signature blend of natural and supernatural elements to the gallery’s main wall. Her recent work has evolved to include mixed media installations that invite viewers to step into otherworldly landscapes.
Sculptor Marcus Chen contributes bronze and ceramic pieces that draw from both Asian spiritual traditions and contemporary urban life. His “Guardian Series” features hybrid creatures that seem to emerge from ancient mythology yet pulse with modern energy. Chen’s studio work, based in Kalihi, has gained recognition for bridging cultural divides through universal symbols of protection and power.
Digital artist and Oahu native Leilani Torres presents video installations that layer footage of traditional Hawaiian ceremonies with contemporary dance. Her pieces create dreamlike narratives where past and present blur, exploring how ancient rituals persist in modern island life. Torres’ work has been featured in galleries from Honolulu to Los Angeles.
Photography takes center stage through the lens of David Nakamura, whose black-and-white portraits capture Honolulu residents in moments of quiet transformation. Shot primarily in Chinatown and downtown neighborhoods, his images reveal the city’s hidden spiritual life – street vendors who double as community healers, office workers who practice morning meditation rituals.
Rounding out the group is textile artist Maria Santos, whose fiber works incorporate found materials from Hawaii’s beaches and forests. Her “Ocean Memory” series transforms discarded fishing nets and plastic debris into haunting tapestries that speak to environmental transformation and resilience.
Dual Exhibitions Create Community Dialogue
The timing couldn’t be more perfect, as the Downtown Art Center simultaneously hosts its annual Volunteer Art Show in the building’s secondary gallery space. This juxtaposition creates an interesting dialogue between Klobe’s curated vision and the more democratic, community-driven volunteer exhibition.
The Volunteer Art Show, now in its eighth year, features work from dozens of local artists who donate pieces to support DAC’s educational programming. Pieces range from traditional landscapes to experimental mixed media, representing the full spectrum of Honolulu’s creative community.
“Having both shows up at the same time really captures what makes downtown’s art scene special,” said DAC Director Sarah Kim. “You get Tom’s carefully crafted narrative alongside this explosion of community voices. Visitors can experience both the curatorial vision and grassroots creativity that define our neighborhood.”
The Downtown Art Center, located at 1041 Nuuanu Avenue in the heart of Chinatown, has become a crucial anchor for the area’s First Friday art walk. The building’s industrial architecture provides the perfect backdrop for both intimate artist gatherings and larger community celebrations.
First Friday Returns to Form
May’s First Friday promises to be particularly vibrant, with several new galleries and pop-up spaces joining the monthly celebration. The witches’ cauldron theme seems fitting for a neighborhood that has always embraced transformation – from its early plantation-era roots through urban renewal to its current renaissance as an arts district.
Both exhibitions run through May 29, giving viewers multiple opportunities to experience the work beyond the opening reception. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended evening hours during First Friday events.
For Honolulu’s art community, Klobe’s exhibition represents more than just another group show. It’s a statement about the sophistication and depth of local talent, proof that Hawaii artists can tackle complex themes with the same intensity found in major mainland art centers. The inclusion of both established and emerging voices suggests a healthy ecosystem where different generations of artists support and inspire each other.
As downtown Honolulu continues its evolution into a cultural destination, exhibitions like “Dance on the Edge of the Witches’ Cauldron” remind us why the First Friday tradition remains so vital to the city’s creative life.
