New Mural Unveiling Friday at Wailuku Omura Building

December 3, 2019, 9:21 AM HST
* Updated December 4, 11:05 AM

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SMALL TOWN * BIG ART will unveil its latest installment in a yearlong series of community artwork on Friday, Dec. 6 at Wailuku’s Omura Building, located at 2049 Wells Street.

All are invited to join in a blessing led by Uncle William “Bill” Garcia of hālau Nā Hanona Kūlike O Piʻilani at 5:30 p.m., followed by Wailuku Town’s First Friday event on Market Street from 6 to 9 p.m. Street parking is available along Wells Park and the surrounding area.

Painted from Nov.18 to 30 by Maui artists Kirk Kurokawa, Elmer Bio, Amanda Bowers and Noble Richardson, the Omura Building piece marks the fourth official SMALL TOWN * BIG ART installation in its two year grant term by the National Endowment of the Arts.

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This follows Andy Behrle’s “lost & found” lightwork at Kipuka Square in September, Emmanuel Jarus’ untitled mural at 2035 Main Street in October and Jackie Goring and Tamara Li’s Día de los Muertos commemoration during Wailuku Town’s November First Friday event.

SMALL TOWN * BIG ART artists were panel-selected in March based on project proposals that aligned with an ‘ōlelo no‘eau chosen by Sissy Lake-Farm, Director of Hale Hōʻikeʻike at The Bailey House Museum/ Maui Historical Society for their deep connection to the history and culture of Wailuku.

Applicants had to exhibit a track record of exceptional quality, style and experience in creating communal or public art and spent several months working with SMALL TOWN * BIG ART project manager Kelly McHugh-White to develop project plans.

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“Individually, these four artists have been recognized for their work on Maui, either commercially, through exhibitions or teaching the arts to the next generation,” said McHugh-White, “As a unit, their impact reverberates through this community as exhibited through the extreme social media attention, field trips to the mural site and pure excitement in sharing their ‘ōlelo no‘eau: ‘a‘ohe hana nui ke alu ‘ia (no task is too big when done together by all). Every day we receive thank you notes and encouragement to continue to celebrate Wailuku’s identity through the arts. This is community building in action.”

A collaboration of the National Endowment of the Arts, County of Maui and Hale Hō‘ike‘ike at the Bailey House/ Maui Historical Society, SMALL TOWN * BIG ART is a creative placemaking pilot project with a mission to develop Wailuku, Hawai‘i as a public arts district that is focused on its distinctive sense of place, history and culture. Engaging the public in both the process and the product, monthly art experiences are paired with activities such as talk story sessions, artist workshops, public rehearsals and more.

Upcoming SMALL TOWN * BIG ART experiences will be led by MAPA, Michael Takemoto, Sean Baba, Jessica Bodner, Avi Molinas and more.

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SMALL TOWN * BIG ART is a County of Maui creative placemaking grant project funded by the National Endowment of the Arts that supports partnerships of the arts, nonprofit and municipal government sectors to help revitalize historic Wailuku Town.

The project is led by County of Maui Redevelopment Program Planner Erin Wade and Public Art Specialist Kelly McHugh, with guidance and support by Sissy Lake-Farm, Director of Hale Hō‘ike‘ike at The Bailey House Museum/ Maui Historical Society.