MINA ELISON

Curator
Donkey Mill Art Center

Mina Elison is a Kanaka ‘Ōiwi curator who was born and raised in Kailua on the island of O‘ahu. With generational ties to South Kona on Hawai‘i, Mina currently serves as Curator at the Donkey Mill Art Center in Kona, Hawai‘i, where she curates exhibitions and programming featuring local and international artists working in diverse media from kapa to film. She sees the gallery as a classroom, laboratory, and gathering space which inspires exploration, reflection, and healing; art can be a catalyst for meaningful and challenging dialogue. Embracing the kuleana of her position as curator, Mina aims to develop collaborative exhibitions which amplify stories and perspectives of those whose voices have been suppressed, misrepresented, or have not yet been heard. 

Previously holding the position of Museum Curator at the Kona Historical Society, Mina earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Anthropology and French from the University of San Diego and a Master of Arts degree in Museum Studies from New York University.