10th Annual Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational Kicks Off on Feb. 14

2014 Best in Show Award Randy Sexton-C&H Bound

Photo courtesy Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational.

By Maui Now Staff

The Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational will hold its 10th annual paint-off featuring 25 of Hawai‘i and the US Mainland’s finest outdoor painters creating original works of art Feb. 14–22 in Lāhainā and Kapalua. The event will include “paint-offs,” workshops, lectures, and exhibitions of artists’ work honoring Maui and its culture for the general public.

Paintings created throughout the week will be available for purchase. An exclusive, priority event is designated to give collectors first pick. A portion of the art sales will go toward Maui art programs and scholarships.

“The success of this annual event is directly attributed to the caliber of artists,” said Lynn Shue, owner of The Village Galleries. “Their paintings pay witness to Maui’s history, capturing the beauty and lifestyle that makes our island home unique. Not only are these artists exceptionally talented individuals, but they also have a genuine aloha for our island.”

The lineup of local artists participating in this year’s Invitational are George Allan, Carleton, Betty Hay Freeland, Ronaldo Macedo, and Macario Pascual of Maui; Michael Clements, Mike Carroll of Lāna‘i City; Pierre Bouret of Hanalei, Kaua‘i; Jenifer Prince of Princeville, Kaua‘i; and Mark Brown of Honolulu.

Participating painters from the US Mainland are Ken Auster and Jacobus Baas of Laguna Beach, California; Joshua Been of Colorado, Hiu Lai Chong of Rockville, Maryland; Debra Huse and Greg LaRock of Newport Beach, California; Jim McVickder of Loleta, California; Billy O’Donnell of Eureka, Missouri, Mary Pettis of Taylors Falls, Minnesota; Lori Putnam of Franklin, Tenessee; Dave Santillanes of Fort Collins, Colorado; David Savellano of Alameda, California; Randall Sexton of Vallejo, California; Brian Stewart of St. Paul, Minnesota; and Keith Wicks of Sonoma, California.

“Many of these artists are returning favorites of collectors from across the world,” said Event Coordinator Una Somerville. “However, each year there are new accomplished plein air artists invited to participate and it is always fun to see their take on Maui’s extraordinary beaches, landscapes, and historical sites.”

The following events held on Feb. 14–22 are free to attend and open to the public:

Saturday, Feb. 14, Kick-Off  7:30 a.m. to noon; the ‘Paint Out’ kicks off at Lāhainā Jodo Mission and vicinity. Twenty-five freshly painted works of art will be displayed for sale from 11 a.m. to noon.

Monday, Feb. 16, Lecture and Silent Auction 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Free lecture by Jean Stern, executive director of The Irvine Museum in California, at the Pioneer Inn in Lāhainā from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Accompanying the popular talk will be a ‘Mini-Paintings’ Silent Auction held from 6 to 7 p.m., with final bidding after the lecture form 8 to 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 17, Beach and Sunset Painting 4 p.m.; artists will join to paint the sunset, beaches scenes, and panoramic island views of Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i at the famous Montage Kapalua Bay.

Friday, Feb. 20, Quick Draw Public Viewing 9 to 11 a.m.; artists will hold a public exhibition during the Pioneer Inn Lāhainā Harbor Quick Draw where they are challenged to complete a painting from start to finish within just two hours.

Friday, Feb. 20, Gala Reception 6 to 9 p.m.; the public is invited for the Gala Reception which will feature three paintings from each artist, as well as the unveiling of the Quick Draw paintings. Awards will be presented. One hundred freshly painted canvases created throughout the week will be revealed on Friday evening, Feb. 20, at The village Gallery at 120 Dickenson St., Lāhainā.

Saturday, Feb. 23, Meet the Artists 9 to 11 a.m.; share coffee and pastries with the artists at The Village Gallery in Lāhainā, with an opportunity to purchase works created throughout the event.

Sunday, Feb. 23, Plein Air Finale 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; the public’s last chance to see and buy paintings.

The following events require tickets and are limited in space:

Collectors’ Hour: Friday, Feb. 20 5 to 6 p.m.; Collectors’ Hour at The Village Galleries (120 Dickenson St., Lāhainā) will give collectors the first chance to see and purchase the week’s best paintings. This exclusive hour will feature champagne and pupus. Tickets are limited and can be purchased through MauiPleinAirPainting.org.

Workshops: Three workshops with participating artists will be offered.
A three-day, pre-event workshop with Brian Steward Feb. 10–12.

A three-day and two-day post-event workshop with Dave Santillanes held on Feb. 23-25 and Feb. 26-27.

For more information, visit MauiPleinAirPainting.org, or call (808) 214-5294.

Photo courtesy Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational.

Photo courtesy Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational.

Photo courtesy Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational.

Photo courtesy Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational.

Photo courtesy Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational.

Photo courtesy Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational.