About Art in the Iron Works

STEEPED IN HISTORY

The Historic Iron Works Building was designed By Charles William Dickey. CW Dickey bestowed upon Hawai`i a remarkably rich architectural heritage. As the long list of his designs would attest, he is noteworthy by any criteria: variety, quantity, quality. His legacy includes many of the buildings which, today, are considered among Hawai`i’s best architecture.

Located at the confluence of the Wialoa River and picturesque Hilo Bay, the building is steeped in local history. Having survived 2 major tsunami’s, it was at one time used as an infirmary for the tsunami victims. The building was designed as an office for the Hilo Iron Works that was established to build the railroad for the booming sugar cane industry. The outlying buildings were used as a Pinapple cannery.

Art in The Iron works gallery opened in this historic building on April 18th, 2004. Since it’s inception it has featured 30 major exhibits of local artists. Our goal is to promote beauty in the world and bring communities together using the arts as our language.