In 1934, 20 women began meeting at the 25-acre estate of Ethel Baldwin and her husband, Harry, a successful businessman, to pursue their common interest in drawing, painting and ceramics.
Ethel and her daughter, Frances Baldwin Cameron, started the group, which, fittingly, was dubbed Hui Noeau, meaning “coming together for the development of artistic skill.”
The group blossomed into Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered at the former Baldwin estate, which provides visual arts exhibits, classes, demonstrations and special events that are open to the public.
On a guided tour, you’ll stroll through the beautiful gardens where more than 70 species of plants and trees flourish (the 125-foot Norfolk pine is more than 150 years old); peruse paniolo (cowboy) artifacts in the History Room, formerly Harry’s office; see the cottage where Ethel did metalwork in the late 1940s; and peek in the studios, where students and professional artists are working on art projects.
Reserve time to view the Center’s exhibits and browse in its gift shop, which offers unique, handcrafted treasures.