Volcano Garden Arts
"a destination for the senses...and now you can own it!"
"a destination for the senses...and now you can own it!"
The Current Director
Ira Ono and the Creation of Volcano Garden Arts
Ira Ono has lived in Volcano for over thirty years. He is originally from New York City. When he arrived in the islands on a vacation in 1968, he never left! He created Volcano Garden Arts from a vision he had of a wonderful center where one involved in all the arts could come to be inspired and create work in this amazing landscape.
He discovered the old Hopper Estate eight years ago (2002), was able to purchase the property at that time, and has been restoring the grounds and buildings ever since. The old Hopper Estate was built in 1908 and added onto throughout the years. The California Redwood materials were brought to the site on a barge, then on railroad and horse and buggy to its present location on Old Volcano Road. The estate has a long and fascinating history, and Ira's goal was to restore it to its former glory.
With the awesome energy inherent in the geological miracle of Volcano, Hawaii, Ira has felt empowered to create a world class destination.
All who discover Volcano Garden Arts are captivated by its wonderful gardens and the collection found within its galleries. With the opening of
Café Ono Ira has also been able to explore his love of gourmet vegetarian cuisine, while simultaneously helping to make the gallery an unforgettable experience and a draw that hosts tour groups and art buyers from many corners of the world.
After over eight years of creating Volcano Garden Arts, he felt it was time to get back to his own personal artwork and to convey this unique treasure and profitable business to the next occupants who see his vision and want to continue it in their own special way.
Ira Ono has lived in Volcano for over thirty years. He is originally from New York City. When he arrived in the islands on a vacation in 1968, he never left! He created Volcano Garden Arts from a vision he had of a wonderful center where one involved in all the arts could come to be inspired and create work in this amazing landscape.
He discovered the old Hopper Estate eight years ago (2002), was able to purchase the property at that time, and has been restoring the grounds and buildings ever since. The old Hopper Estate was built in 1908 and added onto throughout the years. The California Redwood materials were brought to the site on a barge, then on railroad and horse and buggy to its present location on Old Volcano Road. The estate has a long and fascinating history, and Ira's goal was to restore it to its former glory.
With the awesome energy inherent in the geological miracle of Volcano, Hawaii, Ira has felt empowered to create a world class destination.
All who discover Volcano Garden Arts are captivated by its wonderful gardens and the collection found within its galleries. With the opening of
Café Ono Ira has also been able to explore his love of gourmet vegetarian cuisine, while simultaneously helping to make the gallery an unforgettable experience and a draw that hosts tour groups and art buyers from many corners of the world.
After over eight years of creating Volcano Garden Arts, he felt it was time to get back to his own personal artwork and to convey this unique treasure and profitable business to the next occupants who see his vision and want to continue it in their own special way.
The Artwork of Ira Ono
Ira Ono is a multifaceted visual and performing artist well known in Hawaii for his fresh and innovative work.
Ira is an artist who engages the viewer in a wide range of media and subject matter. His work is said to have an "altar-like" quality. At first look, a piece may appear quite bejeweled, but closer inspection reveals items from the everyday world transformed by the respectful content of Ira's creativity and vision.
His current work includes Japanese paste-paper paintings, mixed media collages and ceramic masks. Ira's masks reveal and elegant restraint and his unique style is clearly derived from a rich mythical past. Much of Ira's inspiration comes from living in a rain forest and his surroundings at Volcano Garden Arts.
Ira is also a gifted teacher/juror who conducts his "Art of Trash" workshops and teaches Japanese paste-paper making throughout Hawaii and the mainland. His work can be found in many private collections in this country, as well as Europe and Asia.
For more information on the artwork of Ira Ono, please click on this link to his official website:
"I'iwi Bird" Ornament by Ira Ono.
Using reproductions of Hawaiian postage stamps from the 1850's, this ornament was among those chosen to decorate the 2002 White House Christmas Tree.
Ira is an artist who engages the viewer in a wide range of media and subject matter. His work is said to have an "altar-like" quality. At first look, a piece may appear quite bejeweled, but closer inspection reveals items from the everyday world transformed by the respectful content of Ira's creativity and vision.
His current work includes Japanese paste-paper paintings, mixed media collages and ceramic masks. Ira's masks reveal and elegant restraint and his unique style is clearly derived from a rich mythical past. Much of Ira's inspiration comes from living in a rain forest and his surroundings at Volcano Garden Arts.
Ira is also a gifted teacher/juror who conducts his "Art of Trash" workshops and teaches Japanese paste-paper making throughout Hawaii and the mainland. His work can be found in many private collections in this country, as well as Europe and Asia.
For more information on the artwork of Ira Ono, please click on this link to his official website:
"I'iwi Bird" Ornament by Ira Ono.
Using reproductions of Hawaiian postage stamps from the 1850's, this ornament was among those chosen to decorate the 2002 White House Christmas Tree.
