You don’t have to be on the Big Island to learn Hawaiian art. Thanks to the Volcano Art Center’s virtual classroom, you can explore local traditions, improve your skills, or try something new wherever you are. From featherwork and lei-making to photography and painting, these online classes make Hawaiian culture more accessible than ever.
And for guests staying at our Big Island bed and breakfast, this connection to the arts is right at your doorstep.
What Is the Volcano Art Center?
What Is the Volcano Art Center?Located just inside the entrance to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the Volcano Art Center has been a creative hub for decades. It’s not just a gallery, it’s a nonprofit committed to preserving and sharing Native Hawaiian culture through visual arts, performances, and educational programs. Visitors often come to admire the work of Big Island artists and leave with a deeper appreciation of local traditions.
If you’re staying nearby, we always recommend browsing the gallery in person. But now, with the launch of their virtual classroom, you can also experience the center’s programming from home, or from your room at the lodge.
What You’ll Find in the Virtual Classroom
Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a curious beginner, the Volcano Art Center’s virtual classes offer something for everyone. New courses are added regularly and cover a wide range of mediums tied closely to Hawaiian culture and natural surroundings.
Here are just a few highlights:
- Lei-making with Randy Lee is one of the center’s most popular offerings. Randy’s warm, approachable teaching style makes this traditional Hawaiian practice feel both accessible and meaningful. Watch the class before your trip, pick up supplies at the Sunday market, and try making a lei with local flowers while staying at the lodge.
- Hula, Hawaiian music, and cultural storytelling classes that share the language, history, and rhythm of the islands.
- Yoga with Emily Catey is perfect for finding balance and breath, whether you’re starting your day or winding down. For guests staying in our Mauna Loa room, the upper-level meditation loft becomes the ideal space for guided movement and quiet reflection, surrounded by views of the native forest.
- Virtual tours of the center’s sculpture gardens, featuring outdoor art installations tucked within the native flora.
- Rainforest walk-throughs and nature explorations that deepen your understanding of the landscape around Volcano Village.
You’ll also find art instruction in mediums like watercolor, oil painting, and photography, many inspired by the surrounding park, plants, and wildlife.
© Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Ben Ono
How to Take a Virtual Class at Volcano Art Center
Getting started is easy. Just visit the Volcano Art Center’s virtual classroom to browse available classes. Some are free, while others require a small fee or supply kit. Many workshops include pre-recorded video so you can go at your own pace, perfect for guests winding down after a day of hiking or exploring the park.
If you’re planning your visit soon, consider booking a class before your trip. That way, you’ll arrive with a richer understanding of Hawaiian art and its cultural roots.
Supporting Local Artists, Even From Afar
Participating in virtual classes does more than feed your creativity. Proceeds from these programs help fund the Volcano Art Center’s educational outreach and support local artists who keep these traditions alive. It’s one of the easiest and most meaningful ways to give back to the community you’re visiting.
Stay Where Hawaiian Art and Nature Meet
Stay Where Hawaiian Art and Nature MeetWhen you stay at Volcano Village Lodge, the connection to your surroundings is clear. Each of our five guest cottages blends into the rainforest, designed to offer privacy, comfort, and a front-row seat to the Big Island’s beauty. Whether you’re sipping coffee surrounded by ʻohiʻa trees or taking in the view from your private lanai, inspiration is never far away.
We provide in-room breakfasts daily, giving you a slow, relaxing start to the day before heading out to explore Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park or walking to the nearby Volcano Art Center. After a day of sightseeing or studio work, you can return to unwind in a private hot tub, enjoy the warmth of your fireplace, or reflect beneath the canopy of native trees.
Ready to Learn Something Beautiful?
Whether you’re curled up in a robe after breakfast or spending a quiet afternoon on the lanai, the Volcano Art Center’s virtual classroom pairs perfectly with your stay at Volcano Village Lodge. You can start a watercolor class as the mist rolls in, or practice hula in the privacy of your suite. And if inspiration strikes, you’re just minutes from the center itself, where the rainforest, galleries, and community come to life.
Book your stay now to experience the intersection of art, culture, and serenity. When you travel with intention, even your downtime becomes meaningful. At Volcano Village Lodge, the space you stay in is just as enriching as the island around you.