This space has housed galleries for decades. Before it was Christian Riso it was Atlantis and in…read morethat incarnation Alan bought me a lovely print of apricot colored hibiscus flowers. I had it framed after we got home and it hung over my desk in my offices at Kaiser Martinez and Kaiser Vallejo. Now it hangs in Alan's office at home. After Christian Riso took over the space I bought a wonderful circular print of turtles emerging from eggs, growing in size and eventually laying eggs. It's called "Circle of Life". It's framed in koa and hangs in our front bathroom. As I was looking through a bin of prints I recognized the work of a woman from Haiku Maui, a piece of whose I bought at the Maui Crafts Guild several years ago. We framed it when we got home from that trip and it hangs on an adjacent wall in that bathroom. Needless to say, this gallery is full of great and appealing art as well as some funny craft items, like a painted metal rooster sculpture in the front window. What really called to me, though, were several Norfolk Island pine bowls. I have been wanting one of these for years but have never found the right one. Or, rather, I didn't buy the right one when I saw it. There are several different shaped bowls and plates and they're gorgeous. But once again I come face to face w/ my perpetual space problem. As for the person who gave the gallery one star because the clerk (probably Mr. Riso) was yelling at a customer who had taken photos of some of the art, I beg to differ. This is not an unreasonable response. Many galleries request that no photos be taken out of respect for the artists. I saw signs to that effect when I was in Martin & MacArthur a few days ago. Art these days is too easily copied and artists struggle to make a living. Not having observed the entire interaction, the reviewer risks damaging his or her own karma by giving a small business a 1 star review w/o having complete information about the interaction observed..

This gallery is a total scam. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, set one foot in this place. While on…read morevacation, we were approached aggressively by Nadine Riso (with her fake French accent). We were interested in an expensive painting that had a very nice glass and wood frame. She sold us on the painting then weirdly told us "it was just sold". BUT the artist can do another original exactly like it and she will ship it to us (We took a picture of it and happy to share this). Well, this is her scam! What she sent us was a piece of literal garbage - a replica picture about 1/3 the size that looked like it was done on a photo copier! She also put it in an oversized cheap plastic frame with plastic cover ($1 dollar frame!)! She obviously pocketed our money (hundreds of dollars) and thought being "dumb tourists" we would just accept this. This is known as "bait and switch" - it is not only unethical, it is also illegal. DO NOT GO HERE. SHE WILL RIP YOU OFF AND HER "ORIGINALS" ARE NOTHING OF THE KIND. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

Staff was very very friendly and helpful. Beautiful photography printed on glass. I ordered a…read morecustom size and frame. It was packaged for shipping beautifully in an artwork container. Shipped by special carrier for delivery to my home in flawless condition. The shipping fee was incredibly reasonable considering how much care was put into the packing and shipping. Couldn't be happier!

This is one of the best art galleries I have been to. Steve Munch, the photographer and owner, is…read moreso talented. I don't usually review places like this, but I'm making an exception because Steve is such a rad dude, he sat and talked with us for awhile about how he captured some of his photos. His stories are funny and inspiring. In fact, we were so inspired by his stories that even though we walked in just to browse, we are going back to buy. Definitely check this place out when you visit Kauai.

The first thing to know about this place is that it's in a strange spot. It shares space with an…read moreAce Hardware store, and from the outside it looks much more like a hardware store much more than a crafts store. This isn't as well-stocked as a decent arts and crafts stores on the mainland. But it's not on the mainland, is it? And mail order to Kauai takes forever. It's great to have your crafts goodies right away. My four-year-old had an assignment to do while we were away on Kauai: hand-made Valentine's cards for his preschool classmates, due the day after we returned home. We visited the store and got a package of nice pink construction paper, a scissors (since we didn't think to bring one), and an assortment of Valentine-themed stickers. I had my own craft project: replacing the cord that kept my wife's hat from blowing off her head. I got some decorative cord that made the hat look cooler than it had before the old cord started falling to pieces, and a sewing kit so I could do the repairs. (The kit's scissors was useless, but my boy's scissors did the job.) My wife needed something here too: fountain pen ink. She didn't find the really fancy stuff she likes to write with, but they had a nice selection of colors of a more commonplace brand. I kind of like the idea of a craft store sharing space with a hardware store. After all, some crafts use hardware store types of products. Carpentry is a craft, for example, and one can build a painter's from hardware store lumber. The people here were friendly, and seemed familiar with both the crafts and the hardware sides of the store. This is definitely the best arts and crafts supply store on the island, but competition is thin. The only other arts and crafts place on the island that I could find with a web search was actually a framing store, and doesn't even sell frames, except with its framing services. Fortunately, although this store has no arts and crafts competition other than really slow mail order, it doesn't rest on its monopoly status. Prices are decent, the range of products for office is decent, and it has good employees.

Google a place on Kauai and you may find yourself on a wild goose chase (like the couple I ran into…read moreonce looking for the TCBY that had closed two years prior). Finding myself in need of some basic craft supplies in town one day I pulled up the address for Ben Franklin. Easy enough, I thought. Fifteen minutes, three turnarounds, and one trip down to Kalapaki later I felt foolish and chalked up my empty-handedness to Ben Franklin's not existing any more. A friend laughed at me a few days later. "It's IN the Ace Hardware!" she said, between laughs. Sure enough, as you pass the Ace Hardware on Rice Street there's additional wording "and Crafts" in the familiar Ben Franklin font. The store itself is strangely divided in two. To the left: crafts. Right: hardware. Venture across a main aisle and you're all too aware that you won't find any rubber stamps amidst the metal tubing. But maybe the metal tubing could find a place in a craft project...? The Ben Franklin side of the store stocks a selection of artificial flowers, lei-making supplies (thread, yarns, how-to books) front and center, paints, beads, and other craft miscellany I thought I'd left behind on the mainland. Besides the leis, other local touches include Hawaiian-produced rubber stamps (a rubber stamp of a spam musubi, your name in Hawaiian as a rubber stamp), and more party decorating supplies then you can shake a stick at. Also on offer is a die-cutting machine for your individual use - the staff will gladly die cut small favor boxes or lettering on request - definitely a feature you won't see at any Michael's! For a craft supply store on Kauai, I was actually impressed at the stock at Ben Franklin. I missed the Martha Stewart section, but it definitely rivals Michael's and AC Moore in variety any day. The staff is helpful and there are regular demos and classes to sign up for. While prices aren't rock-bottom I found a 40% coupon (for a single item) in the newspaper ad, which helps. Just make sure you're looking for the Ace Hardware when you go to find Ben Franklin Crafts.

On a trip to Kauai with a few friends and decided to visit Old Koloa Town and found this hidden…read moregem! It's run by a local artist Juile Berg, her painting and art work are inspired by the beauty of Hawaii and her travels around the world. You can find jewelry along with one of a kind unique art pieces! Best part is that she ships all around the world! Tip: visit the Koloa Shave Ice shop right around the corner if you have time!

This gallery has been open in this historic plantation building for about 7 years. I looked…read morethrough it shortly after it opened, but didn't review it at the time, because it had an unfinished look, a perception that may have been augmented by my fondness for its predecessor. I came in today and was greeted warmly by the owner, Julie. The gallery's collection has grown beautifully over the past 7 years. There are ceramic pieces w/ lace and other textures on them. There is a stunning surfboard decorated w/ an intricate mosaic of different sized and shaped glass beads and tiles. So amazing. I understand there are a couple of surfboard showers and wonder if the artist is the same one whose work I admired at the little gallery by the cafe in Kalaheo when we were there last year. There are paintings and photographs. The paintings, while different from one artist to the next, share a textural interest that I found quite appealing. Julie is one of the artists exhibited and her work is beautiful. There will be an opening party for an exhibit of photography by Daniel Finchum this Saturday, September 24 from 6-9. His photographs are gorgeous, particularly his photographs of Hawaiian children. As usual, what called to me turned out to be art glass by Daniel Moe, although I took it at first for ceramic. Inspired by the Kilauea volcano on the Big Island where he lives, the glass is dark, w/ red lava-like accents. If you look at the photos posted by the gallery above you can see something similar and you can see why it drew me and why I'm searching my mind for a surface that might hold it. There was no turned wood, which was one of the things I loved about the previous gallery. I discussed this w/ Julie, who told me it was becoming increasingly difficult to get turned wood, for a variety of reasons. The gallery is elegant and attractive w/o it, but it's always nice to have more to look at. Addendum: As you might expect, we bought the piece of art glass. It's just not the kind of thing we could pass up.

I recently purchased a custom Artist Proof Edition 40x120 piece from aFeinberg Gallery for my wife…read moreto celebrate our anniversary. We spent our honeymoon in Kauai & have visited every year since. The entire experience was exceptional. Aaron Feinberg personally helped me choose the perfect print option and even accommodated a change I wanted to make shortly after placing the order. He was incredibly flexible, communicative, and made sure I felt informed and comfortable throughout the process. So much so that I ordered a second piece of art! Haha After years of visiting Kauai and admiring his incredible galleries, I've always aspired to own one of Aaron's pieces--and now I finally will!! I'm truly thankful for his guidance and support in making this dream a reality. The art itself is stunning, and the experience of working with Aaron made it even more meaningful. Highly recommend both his work and visiting the gallery!

We are visiting Kauai for the first time, we stumbled into the gallery and fell in love with the…read moreHanalei Pier picture. Bree was so helpful. We enjoyed visiting with her about all kinds of things. We purchased the picture and cannot wait to hang it in our home. We are already looking forward to our next visit.

I rarely go to art galleries. Not only does the price typically scare me away, but I'm just not…read moremuch into art. With that in mind, you gotta respect the artist that engages a neophyte like me. We were simply strolling around window shopping and saw the artist/gallery owner Max painting outside. He warmly greeted us and we soon engaged in some funny repartee. He did not hover over us as we walked through the gallery, which I really appreciated. We ended up buying two prints - one a landscape and one a more abstract painting. Max took the time to explain how he makes the art and also agreed to ship it to us for free. One week later, the prints arrived on our Virginia doorstep. I wish all gallery experiences were as good as this one.

This hidden gem is worth taking time to find. The artist was working when we arrived and that alone…read morewas worth it all. Max took time to talk to us about his work, approach and method. His engaging and authentic style made us feel welcome and happy. After some time, my lady and he hit it off on a big wonderful peice he had hanging. She looked at me as if to ask, "should I?" Of course, I told her, if it speaks to her heart, buy it. This small studio is one-of-a-kind. Support local art. p.s. I like art that challenges my mind. Max doesn't just do landscapes, he creates really super original works that are made with pure Aloha.

Went to get my nephew's backpack, lunch box and pencil case embroidered for the upcoming school…read moreyear. Was quoted 2 weeks for service and it was completed in 1 week. They were kind and helpful when I went in, being able to choose my thread color, font and size. Everything was PERFECT and I am so glad I could do this on Kaua'i and not have to travel to O'ahu to get it done.

Huge mahalo to Island Image & Ethel! We had a rush order for memorial t-shirts and the team at…read moreIsland Image made it happen. We called every other printer on island and one after another we were told it wasn't doable for one reason or another. Ethel went above and beyond to pick apart our design and make it work for every shirt we ordered. Communication was clear and she made sure that every step of the way was approved. We are stoked on how our shirts turned out and will be bringing all our orders to Island Image and hope to work with Ethel again. Our Ohana is so so grateful. You guys made it happen!

We absolutely LOVE this place and stop in every time we are on the island. I have bought so much…read morejewelry over the years from here as they have some very unique pieces you will not find anywhere else. We love the color changing glass jewelry and my husband has even ordered from here on line for Christmas presents to get me the matching necklace and bracelet. A few years ago I purchased a ring that was glass and looks like an opal. I received so many compliments on this as it practically glows. After years of wearing this nonstop it was finally getting so worn I had to get a replacement. Mimi was wonderful and was able to make one to custom fit in just a matter of a couple of days. All the glass pieces are just amazing in this shop you have to check this place out!

Really enjoyed walking through this gallery. It was fun to find a place that had work from local…read moreartists. Bought a couple of fun items, including jewelry.