Downtown Art Center has entered into a five-year contract with the City and County of Honolulu to continue use of space on Nuʻuanu Avenue, according to representatives of the nonprofit, which operates a gallery, classroom space and gift shop in the Chinatown/Downtown area.
The agreement, signed Friday, Dec. 12, follows a five-year period in which DAC had month-to-month contracts.
DAC is located at 1041 Nuʻuanu Ave, on the second floor of Chinatown Gateway Plaza, above the Downtown Satellite City Hall.
“This moment is deeply meaningful,” said DAC Executive Director Sandra Pohl in a written statement. “Not only does it affirm the work we’ve built together as a community, it honors a dream that began decades ago.”
The signing coincides with the anniversary of the death of her husband, Louis Pohl, an artist who had the vision to create a gallery and place for arts education in the Chinatown/Downtown area, the nonprofit said, adding that DAC manages a collection of his art.
The Hawaiʻi Handweaver’s Hui and Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance have physical residence at DAC. Other nonprofits that collaborate with DAC include Hawaiʻi Craftsmen, Hawaiʻi Watercolor Society, Hawaiʻi Potters Guild, Pastel Artists of Hawaiʻi, Glass Fusion Collective, Honolulu Printmakers and Pacific New Media Foundation.
Downtown Art Center features art made from glass and fabric, among other materials. The Hawaiʻi Handweaver’s Hui and Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance have physical residence at DAC. (Courtesy Downtown Art Center) 
Downtown Art Center also displays ceramic artwork, shown here. (Courtesy Downtown Art Center) 
Downtown Art Center features gallery space, as well as places to learn how to make art. (Courtesy Downtown Art Center)
In January, DAC is offering several art experiences including: watercolor classes with Artist Dwayne Adams ($240 for six classes), Making Art for Art’s Sake ($20 per class) and Monday Night Life Drawing Group, an artist-run uninstructed drawing period with live models ($15 per session).
Upcoming gallery exhibits at DAC include the “Honouliuli National Historic Site 10th Anniversary Exhibition,”which commemorates the largest and longest run WWII prisoner of war camp in Hawaiʻi (Jan. 2-17); the “18th Annual Exhibition of Korea Culture Design Council” (Jan. 2-11), and “Go Figure 2026: Figures & Portraits from Hawaiʻi’s Artists” (Jan. 2 to Feb. 28).
Recently, Artist Lauren Okano displayed more than 20 paintings at DAC as part of “Kintsugi Joy,” an exhibit focused on the Japanese art of mending broken pottery with gold.
DAC’s gallery and gift shop are open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Monday. Details.
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
