Illinois Teen Funds Arts Education on Maui with $5k Donation

By Maui Now Staff

The Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center started 2015 with a generous contribution for its youth program from an unusual donor. Sixteen-year-old Julia Gillette made a $5,000 donation to the Center that she independently raised at a benefit event.

Last summer, Gillette volunteered with Hui No‘eau’s Camp Kaluanui while visiting relatives on Maui. She left the island inspired by the experience of working with children and teachers at the camp and raised the generous donation money at an event in Lake Forest, Illinois.

In 2013, Gillette founded nonprofit “Art Empowerment for Life” at the age of 15. The Lake Forest-based organization aims to make art education opportunities available for grad and high school students across the nation.

“We are honored to be partnered with Julia and her work in art education,” said Hui No‘eau Executive Director Caroline Killhour. “Julia’s donation will allow us to continue our excellent work at Hui No‘eau by providing scholarships for many deserving Maui youth to attend a variety of impactful art classes at our center. We are grateful to have a passionate youth ambassador who believes as strongly as we do in the transformative nature of arts education in our community. We thank Julia for giving so generously of her time this summer and for inspiring others to support visual arts education!”

Contributions help the hui’s mission to inspire youth through art education.

On Feb. 28, 2015, the hui is hosting its largest annual fundraising event: Art Affair 2015: Frida & Diego – A Feast for the Senses. Tickets can be purchased by calling (808) 572-6560 or visit huinoeau.com/events.