About Isaacs Art Center

Gaylord Dillingham '66,
Director

The Isaacs Art Center was created to serve as a cultural force benefiting the HPA, Waimea, and Big Island community. It is a part of Hawai'i Preparatory Academy and provides a venue for people to donate appreciated art and receive the benefits of a charitable donation. The mission of the Isaacs Art Center is to raise money for the benefit of HPA students while giving the community access to art and sculpture and providing students and parents living on the island a cultural learning experience. The art center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It contains a large permanent collection of paintings, furniture, rare books, and Hawaiiana. A section of the art center operates as an art gallery, and a variety of art pieces is offered for sale. The funds generated by these sales are used to support the HPA Scholarship Fund. Gaylord Dillingham '66 was named Director of the Isaacs Art Center in 2011.

The building that houses the Isaacs Art Center was built in 1915 as Waimea’s first public school structure. It was moved to its current location in June 2002 and in March 2003, was placed on the State Register of Historic Places. The restoration was completed in March 2004. In May 2003, the building received the prestigious 2003-2004 Historic Preservation Award from the Historic Hawai'i Foundation.