Volcano Artists Studio Tour (39th Annual) 2025

The 39th Annual Volcano Artists Studio Tour transforms the mystical village of Volcano into an open-air gallery over Thanksgiving weekend, November 28-30, 2025, inviting visitors to discover extraordinary handcrafted art in the studios where it's created. This beloved Big Island tradition, running from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day, offers a rare opportunity to meet working artists in their creative spaces, witness demonstrations of traditional and contemporary techniques, and purchase unique pieces directly from the makers. Set in the cool, misty highlands near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this intimate art tour showcases the diverse talents of local artists who draw inspiration from living in one of Earth's most geologically active regions.

The heart of Volcano's artistic community

The Volcano Village Artists Hui, a collective of working artists established over 35 years ago, orchestrates this annual celebration of creativity and craftsmanship. These artists have chosen to make their home in Volcano Village, a unique community situated at 4,000 feet elevation on the slopes of Kilauea volcano. This extraordinary setting, with its cool temperatures, frequent mist, and proximity to active volcanic landscapes, profoundly influences their artistic expression. The natural elements of lava, native birds, tropical plants, and the ever-changing volcanic landforms appear throughout their diverse body of work.

Featured artists and their mediums

The 2025 tour will showcase the work of established Hui members alongside carefully selected guest artists, creating a diverse showcase of artistic disciplines. Core artists include Margaret Barnaby, renowned for her intricate woodblock prints that capture the essence of Hawaii's natural beauty, and Pam Barton, whose fiber work and mixed media pieces reflect the organic forms found in volcanic landscapes.

Zeke Israel brings his mastery of raku pottery, jewelry making, and handmade books to the tour, while Mike and Misato Mortara demonstrate their expertise in hand-blown art glass. Their pieces often incorporate colors reminiscent of lava flows and volcanic activity. Ira Ono presents fine art paintings and ceramic masks at Volcano Garden Arts, creating pieces that blend traditional Hawaiian themes with contemporary artistic vision.

Studio locations and tour format

The tour encompasses five primary studio sites throughout Volcano Village, each offering a distinct atmosphere and artistic focus. Studio #1, hosted by Pam Barton, features fiber work alongside Zeke Israel's raku pottery and jewelry, plus guest artist Randy Sutton's textile art. J.M. Fusions (Studio #2) showcases Jamie Lesourd's kiln-formed glass creations, while Volcano Garden Arts (Studio #3) presents Ira Ono's diverse collection of fine art and gifts.

Studio #4 at Margaret Barnaby Studio becomes a hub for multiple artists, featuring her woodblock prints alongside the Mortaras' blown glass, Nash Adams-Pruitt's functional glass art, and guest artists including blade smith Nolan Odachi and textile artist Anne Brooke, who works with Hawaiian-grown indigo. The fifth location at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus rounds out the tour with additional artists and rotating exhibitions.

The artistic inspiration of volcanic landscapes

Living and creating art in Volcano Village provides artists with an incomparable natural laboratory. The constant geological activity, from steam vents to lava flows, creates an ever-changing landscape that directly influences artistic expression. Artists working in glass often incorporate colors that mirror glowing lava, while painters capture the dramatic interplay of volcanic rock formations with lush rainforest vegetation.

The high elevation and frequent cloud cover create a mystical atmosphere that many artists describe as deeply inspiring. The interplay of mist and light filtering through native ohia and koa trees provides constantly shifting visual inspiration. This unique environment attracts artists seeking to capture and express the powerful energy of one of the world's most active volcanic regions.

Workshop demonstrations and artist interactions

One of the tour's most valuable aspects is the opportunity for visitors to observe artists at work and engage in conversations about their creative processes. Many studios feature live demonstrations, allowing visitors to watch glass being blown, pottery being thrown, or jewelry being crafted. These interactions provide insight into the technical skills required for each medium while revealing the personal stories behind individual pieces.

Artists often share stories about how volcanic activity has influenced their work, from incorporating actual volcanic glass into jewelry to using colors inspired by different phases of eruption. These personal narratives add depth to the viewing experience and help visitors understand the profound connection between place and artistic expression.

Cultural significance and community impact

The Volcano Artists Studio Tour represents more than a commercial art sale; it embodies the spirit of community and cultural preservation that defines small-town Hawaii. Over nearly four decades, this event has helped establish Volcano Village as one of Hawaii's premier artist colonies, attracting creative individuals from around the world who contribute to the area's cultural richness.

The artists' work reflects not only geological influences but also Hawaii's multicultural heritage, as individual artists bring their diverse backgrounds to bear on island themes. This creates a unique artistic synthesis that captures both universal human experiences and the specific cultural and natural environment of the Big Island.

Practical visitor information

The tour operates from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. Maps directing visitors to each studio location are available at local businesses throughout Volcano Village and can be downloaded from the artists' website. The compact nature of Volcano Village makes it easy to visit all locations on foot or with short drives between sites.

Visitors should dress warmly, as Volcano Village's elevation creates significantly cooler temperatures than coastal areas of the Big Island. Morning temperatures often range from the 50s to 60s Fahrenheit, with afternoon highs reaching the 70s. The frequent mist and occasional rain add to the mystical atmosphere but require appropriate clothing for comfort.

Shopping and collecting opportunities

The studio tour offers exceptional value for art collectors and gift shoppers, as pieces are available directly from the artists at reasonable prices. The range spans from small, affordable items perfect for gifts to significant investment pieces for serious collectors. The direct artist-to-buyer relationship ensures authenticity and often includes the artist's personal story about the creation process.

Many visitors return annually to add to their collections, building relationships with artists and following the evolution of their work over time. The tour's timing during Thanksgiving weekend makes it ideal for holiday shopping while providing a meaningful cultural experience that extends far beyond commercial transactions.

Combining art with natural attractions

Volcano Village's location adjacent to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park allows visitors to combine the studio tour with exploration of one of America's most spectacular national parks. The contrast between viewing volcanic landscapes during the day and discovering how those same landscapes inspire artistic creation provides a uniquely comprehensive experience.

Many visitors structure their weekend to include hiking through volcanic craters, viewing active lava flows (when accessible), and exploring native Hawaiian rainforest, then spending time in artists' studios seeing how these natural wonders translate into creative expression. This combination of natural wonder and artistic interpretation creates lasting memories and deeper appreciation for both.

Special features and annual raffle

The tour concludes with a special drawing featuring artwork contributed by each participating artist, giving visitors a chance to win original pieces while supporting the artistic community. This raffle reflects the generous spirit of the Volcano Village Artists Hui and their commitment to sharing their work with the broader community.

Mark your calendar for November 28-30, 2025, and prepare to discover the extraordinary artistic talent flourishing in one of Hawaii's most unique communities. Whether you're a serious art collector, casual browser, or simply curious about the creative process, the 39th Annual Volcano Artists Studio Tour offers an intimate glimpse into how volcanic landscapes inspire human creativity. Plan to spend the entire weekend exploring these remarkable studios, meeting the artists, and perhaps finding that perfect piece that captures the essence of your Big Island experience.