Family Owned & Operated
'Iwa Arts & Cafe was opened in April 2017 in Kealakekua, Hawaii by Artists Anne Catlin and John Matsushita with children Liam (18), Chase (13) and Charlotte-Rose (almost 3).
Anne and John are collaborating artists with the Threshing Room, a mixed media studio specializing in fine and functional art. Liam is a U.S. Marine. Chase is a Dean's List middle-school student and athlete.
Follow the Threshing Room
art studio here.
'Iwa's Artists & Staff
'Iwa hosts professional and emerging artists who engage the community, in various ways, through creativity. Our staff is comprised of a refreshingly candid and multi-talented bunch, making 'Iwa a fun and welcoming space full of laughter.
kristin mitsu shiga
METALSMITH, COLLABORATING ARTIST
A recent Hawaii resident from Portland, Oregon, Kristin comes from a long line of teachers and has established successful educational programs at art centers in Portland, New York and Hawaii. She is Director of Programs at the Donkey Mill Art Center and art educator, teaching ongoing private and public workshops.
SERVICES:
Jewelry Design & Fabrication
Custom Commitment, Engagement & Wedding Rings
Jewelry Repair & Polishing
Stonesetting
Enameling
One-on-One Instruction
dianne mcmillen
KITCHEN MANAGER, ARTIST
Culinary & stained glass artist, Dianne is the creative force behind the soul-warming soups and foods we serve and the light-catching
glass throughout the cafe.
Dianne is a former restaurant owner,
line cook at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and sous chef at Holuakoa Gardens.
"I like the personal connection you make when you give someone something really really good to eat. They probably don't know who made it, but they know what good food tastes like, so they come back."
Dianne and her husband raised their kids at their family restaurant, Real Mexican Food in Captain Cook. Happily retired from full-time employment, she enjoys that working at 'Iwa allows a sense of balance between husband, kids, grand-kids, dogs, housework, jobs, glass (and Netflix). She took private stained glass classes for 5 years and her glass work can be found throughout 'Iwa Arts & Cafe. "The first time I cut glass and made a panel, I was hooked. It's a sickness!"
Diedra Stephens
MANAGING BARISTA
The smiling face you find most mornings at 'Iwa. A native of a small town in southeastern Washington by the name of Walla Walla, "a town so nice they named it twice," Diedra studied elementary education at Walla Walla University and has worked as a teacher's assistant and volunteer in various community activities involving youth through the years.
Raised in a big family, Diedra is mother to 3 beautiful girls: Asya (13), Noa-Leina (7) and Anaia (6). She home schools her 2 youngest daughters and resides on a 3-acre aquaponic lettuce farm. She is passionate about working with kids, music (especially singing), sports of all kinds, spending time with her family and friends and meeting new and interesting people of all walks of life. She is excited to explore more of what the Big Island has to offer.
Audrey Love
BARISTA, CAFE ASSISTANT
Audrey made the move to Hawaii in 2016 shortly after receiving her History degree from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. An avid outdoorswoman and adventure guide, Audrey initially moved to Hawaii eager to traverse its various microclimates and to get her hands in the dirt. After a phenomenal six months at Magic Mountain Farm, Audrey made the transition to Gingerhill Farm Retreat to work as a staff blogger, garden intern, and web content writer. In her free time, you can catch Audrey running on the side of the highway, free writing, or playing with her new kitten.
Audrey has been working at Iwa Café since September, and she is still astounded by the serendipitous emergence of such a wonderful place within walking distance of her home. At Iwa, Audrey circulates between roles, making drinks, working in the kitchen, and manning the register. Her favorite part of the job is being able to “wear many hats,” or to do a little bit of everything.
reflection--art that inspires people to ask questions and art that "tastes good!"
John Matsushita
OWNER, ARTIST
John is an artist, carpenter and builder. His primary medium in his art is encaustics (molten beeswax with pigment). He is also proficient in wood, stone, figurative clay sculpture and mixed media. He has worked as a finish carpenter and project manager for 20 years. In that time, he's had the opportunity to work on projects blending art and function. He draws inspiration from living and adventuring in Hawaii. A big wave surfer, he loves scouting remote hidden waves, mountain-biking, free running and adventuring.
John has a BFA from the University of Hawaii, Manoa, with study at the Art Institute of Southern California in Laguna Beach. He is an awarded artist with commissions nationwide.
​
He received the honor of creating the "Ulumau Pohaku Pele," sculpture in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, as a reminder that the park is not only a place of natural and scientific wonders but a sacred place for Native Hawaiians. John also constructed most of the furniture at 'Iwa.
Anne Catlin
OWNER, ARTIST
Originally from Los Angeles, Anne has lived in Hawaii since 2005. She holds degrees in Art & Anthropology from the University of Hawaii, Hilo, with emphasis in Psychology and Early Childhood Education. She is an awarded artist in painting. Her artwork has exhibited in Florence, Italy, Los Angeles, California and Hawaii.
Anne is dedicated to community outreach projects that foster cross-cultural awareness and reveal a common humanity through universals like birth, death, love and the brevity of time. Her 3-year study, "Dimensions of Love," focused on perspectives of love through art and words. With international contributions, the project spanned Italy, California and Hawaii with community exhibitions of artwork, written reflections and anonymous notes. She led media, fundraising, educational program, special events, exhibits and outreach for Volcano Art Center and the Donkey Mill Art Center. She also taught children's programs for the East Hawaii Cultural Center in Hilo and the Palos Verdes Unifed School District in Southern California.