New vision for EHCC

The volunteer coordinators of the venerable East Hawaii Cultural Center announce “new visions and new directions” for the downtown Hilo nonprofit entity.

The changes are reflected in its new name: the EHCC/East Hawaii Museum of Contemporary Art, reported Lourdan Kimbrell for the center’s board of directors.

“As EHCC continues to refocus, reorganize and restructure, we continue providing a broad spectrum of events celebrating the arts of East Hawaii, ushering in a new era of cultural diversity to Hilo and East Hawaii,” said Kimbrell. “EHCC has incorporated the new name to to reflect the center’s commitment to showcasing local art and artists.

“It is our belief that it is our duty to present artistic expressions that cover issues and the complexities about what it is to live in Hawaii in the 21st century as well as honoring the past from whence we come.”

Future plans include a certified art school, musician’s workshops, expanded printmaking classes, children’s theater and more.

EHCC is currently accepting applications for an Open Studio Tour to bring the public into working artists’ studios in the greater Hilo area.

“We are also asking the public to support our efforts by volunteering as little as one hour a week with simple tasks like making phone calls and sending emails, sitting the gallery, etc.,” he said. If you’d like to assist, please call 961-5711.