Registration Open For Hui Noʻeau Summer Programs

Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center. PC: Gaylord Paul Garcia

Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center is optimistically planning to hold currently scheduled youth summer art programs beginning June 1.

Youth summer programs are now open for registration online.

While other Hui art classes are postponed at least through April 30, the Hui is preparing to reopen the gates of the historic Kaluanui Estate in Makawao and serve more than 250 children over the summer months.

Hui No‘eau’s popular “Camp Kaluanui” and “Youth Art Academy” programs serve children ages 6 through 15 with weekly visual art programs that include lessons in painting, drawing, sculpting, mixed media, printmaking, jewelry making, and more. For younger students, “Camp Kaluanui” offers weekly themes to inspire new learning experiences. This year’s themes include: “Animals from Around the World: Creativity Goes Wild,” “Wonderful Water: Art from Wai to Kai” and “School of Rock: Art Inspired by Music.” A full list of themes is posted here.

In the “Art Academy,” teen artists have the opportunity to explore more advanced techniques in screen printing, metalsmithing, and ceramics using the Hui’s professional art studios.

The Hui has been offering summer art programs for children for more than 30 years. Both the Hui’s Executive Director Anne-Marie Forsythe and Program Director Lana Coryell were once youth participants in those programs and understand their value in a child’s life.

“I know how much children look forward to coming to our beautiful campus and participating in summer art camps each and every year. If we are given the ‘go ahead’ to resume operations following government and CDC guidelines, it will be especially important that the Hui is ready to hold youth summer programs as scheduled,” said Forsythe. “Especially after this time of social distancing, children are going to benefit even more from being in the art classroom where self-expression, communication, and teamwork are an essential part of the learning experience.”

“In my emails and calls with the Hui’s team of Teaching Artists this week, everyone is hopeful that we can move forward as planned,” said Coryell. “Teachers are excited by the weekly themes for this year and are coming up with great lesson plans. Most of our teachers feel like the visual arts will be even more important for kids this particular summer. The Hui’s camp programs create a wonderful feeling of togetherness and belonging, something we are all seeking right now.”

At the end of the summer, Hui No‘eau plans to install their professional gallery space with youth artwork created by participating students. The Youth Art Exhibition is an annual end-of-summer highlight for families to celebrate the impressive artwork of Maui’s youngest artists.

“We hope that the 2020 Youth Art Exhibition will be yet another special family celebration for Maui’s keiki” said Coryell. “It would be wonderful to end this challenging and uncertain time with a colorful, creative, and joyful display of local vision and talent. The visual arts have an amazing ability to uplift and inspire us, even through difficulties.”

While the Hui’s programs are on hold for this month, the nonprofit art center is still moving forward and plans to reopen as soon as possible. “Just like for everyone else, this is an especially hard time for arts organizations,” said Forsythe. “Signing up early for summer camps or any future programs can really help us get through this time. We plan to release our second semester class schedule sometime next month with more than 100 new offerings for both adults and keiki. It is a hard time now, but we plan to come back strong and ready to continue serving the community.”

• “Camp Kaluanui” camp is for students ages 6 to 10 and takes place 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays June 1 through August 7. Tuition is $275 ($337 for nonmembers) per week per child with scholarships available for qualifying families. To register or for more information, click here.

• “Art Academy” camp is for students ages 11 to 15 and takes place 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays, every other week, June 8 through July 31. Tuition is $290 ($352 for nonmembers) per week per child with scholarships available for qualifying families. To register or for more information, click here.