Meet the Artists at Lahaina Arts Society

Ellen Levinsky’s “Baby Butterflies.” Photo courtesy Lahaina Arts Society.

Blake Hill’s “NALU.” Courtesy Lahaina Arts Society.

Teri Saunders’ jewelry. Photo courtesy Lahaina Arts Society.

By Maui Now Staff

“Meet the Artists” at Lahaina Arts Society from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as they demonstrate their skills at the Banyan Tree Gallery in the Old Lahaina Courthouse.

Talk story with feather art and jewelry Artist Ellen Levinsky on Tuesday, March 3, Oil, acrylic and watercolor Artist Elizabeth Current on Wednesday, March 4, and Photographer Blake Hill on Thursday, March 5.

For more information, call LAS at (808) 661-0111 or visit the LAS website.

About Lahaina Arts Society

Lahaina Arts Society is dedicated to showcase, support, market and mentor Maui County artists.

Lahaina Arts Society (LAS) was born from a group of artists who created informal art exhibits along the sea wall and in the park next to the Pioneer Inn in the 1960s. In 1965, 10 couples donated $50 each to start LAS.

Among those who formed the new nonprofit were Alexandra Morrow, Tim Morrow and Joyce Clark.

In 1967, LAS moved to Lahaina’s old courthouse after the post office moved out.

Fifty Maui residents helped paint and renovate the old post office into gallery space.

The grand opening for LAS’s first gallery was held on March 19, 1969.​

​Within a few years, LAS was filled with works by Maui’s fine artists.

In the mid-1970s, George Allan arrived in Lahaina aboard the Carthaginian, led a group of artists to reclaim the former town jail in the basement of the courthouse. They cleaned out the abandoned jail cells creating additional gallery and classroom spaces.

​For decades, LAS has promoted the visual arts through special exhibits, children’s arts classes and scholarships. Partial scholarships are awarded to high school students each year.

Macario Pascual was the first recipient of an LAS scholarship. He, along with many other successful Maui artists, began his career with LAS. Among these artists are Betty Hay Freeland, Ronaldo Macedo, Andrea Smith, Bruce Turnbull and James Warren.

Today, LAS remains the gatekeeper for new artists arriving or launching on Maui. LAS members keep two galleries in the Old Lahaina Courthouse filled with work.

Outdoor Fine Arts Fairs continue several days each month under the historic Banyan Tree. LAS also hosts and co-sponsors the annual Lahaina Town Poster Contest and offers free, weekly children’s art classes at a variety of sites around Maui County.