New Art on Wheels Program Brings Art to the Public Via Maui Bus

The county launched a new Art on Wheels program that brings photography and artwork to the public via the Maui Bus.  Featured are watercolor prints by artist Phil Sabado and nature photography by photographer Lois Bisquera.  The program is the brainchild of Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares and was made possible through the County Commission on Culture and the Arts.

County of Maui (L-R) Sherry Gabriele, County Commission on Culture & the Arts; Mayor Charmaine Tavares; Phil Sabado (artist - painting); Lois Bisquera (artist - photography).

The program is designed to beautify the buses and make for a more pleasant ride. The art is displayed on all routes where Maui Bus operates.

Sabado is a lifelong professional painter and recipient of the Commission’s Pundy Yokouchi Award.  He has been a long-time participant in island artistic endeavors, and recently created a portrait of Saint Damien of Kalaupapa, Molokai, in honor of the Saint’s Canonization this month.

Bisquera serves as assistant public information officer for the County and contributes freelance photography and writing to local media.  She began photographing the islands’ natural beauty as a child growing up in Kula, Maui. And has since enjoyed capturing the details and patterns in nature that often get overlooked in everyday life, and documenting people and places she has encountered.

Mayor Tavares thanked Commission member Sherry Gabriele for helping make the art display a priority for the County, and urged anyone interested in submitting laminated prints for future display to email Gabriele at [email protected].

Commission Chair Marilyn Hirashima commented that the Commission is looking for other unique ways to display artwork throughout the County.  “Maui has so many talented artists, and the buses provide an island-wide venue to display their creativity,” Hirashima said. “The Commission’s Art on Wheels program is an opportunity to display art in a place where passengers can be inspired and uplifted during their journey.”

Each bus will carry scenes from a particular theme so passengers transferring from one bus and boarding another will be treated to a whole new array of images.

The Commission on Culture and the Arts strives to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Maui County by increasing public awareness, promoting public support, and providing education and participation in art and cultural activities.

(Posted by Wendy Osher; Information provided by the County of Maui)