Surfing History and Image Gallery Exhibit at the MACC

Maui Arts and Cultural Center announced the opening of a new Surfing Hawai‘i History and Imagery exhibit in Schaefer International Gallery.

Surfing Hawai‘i will be on view in the Gallery from Dec. 16, 2018 through Feb. 17, 2019.

Point Panic 7,Peter Shepard Cole, 2018, oil on canvas, 8 x 48 inches. PC: MACC.

The Air I Breath by Pete Cabrinha, acrylic, 48×36. PC: MACC.

Lokahi by Noble Richardson, oil on panel, 48×36. PC: MACC.

Surfing Hawai‘i presents the most popular ocean sport, beginning with the origins of he‘e nalu in native Hawaiian traditional knowledge and recreational relationship to the ocean. The story continues with the evolution of surf tourism and surf culture in the islands, as seen with materials from archives, surfboard collections, and vintage artifacts.

A group of accomplished artists from Hawai‘i, whose work focuses on the theme of surfing, have been invited to create two- and three-dimensional original contemporary works for the exhibit. They include: Carol Bennett (Kaua’i), Pete Cabrinha (Maui), Peter Shepard Cole (O‘ahu), Mark Cunningham (O‘ahu), Charlie Lyon (Maui), Wayne Levin (Hawai‘i), Noble Richardson (Maui).

There will be several related public events during the run of this exhibition:

Historic Surf Film: The Essence
Thursday, January 10, 7 p.m. at McCoy Studio Theater
Filmed by the father of the surf film genre, Bud Browne, The Essence evocatively shares the beauty of surfing while pondering the reason why we surf. Beautifully produced with archival footage from the Bud Browne Film Archives, it showcases more than fifty of surfing’s greatest legends, including George Downing, Buzzy Trent, Gerry Lopez, and Duke Kahanamoku.

Following the film, a group of professional surfing athletes, including Kai Lenny, Paige Alms and others, will talk about the influences and ambitions of their careers. The evening will be a celebration of the sport and the generations who defined it.

Tickets: $12 (plus applicable fees), available at the MACC Box Office, (808) 242-SHOW or online at MauiArts.org.

Surfing Hawai’i: Lectures
Sunday, January 27, 2 p.m. at the McCoy Studio Theater
“Women and Legends of Surfing” – Well-known educator of Hawaiian language and culture, Pūlama
Collier, born on the Northeast shore of Maui, will share her knowledge about spirituality and sport and the story of Hawaiian women in surfing.

“Selling Hawai‘i with Surfing, 1880 to 1980” – Surfing is one of Hawai‘i’s most iconic symbols, even more so in the past than it is today. This lecture explores how Hawaiian surfing has appeared over a century’s worth of advertising and other parts of pop culture; rare historic illustrations are described and explained by author and historian DeSoto Brown.

These events are free but seating is limited.