Maui Arts & Cultural Center presents two free public programs at Schaefer International Gallery

Maui Arts & Cultural Center presents two free public programs at Schaefer International Gallery in conjunction with the exhibition Keoni of Hawai‘i: Art of the Aloha Shirt.

• ACTIVATIONS: After Hours at the Gallery
  • Friday, Sept. 4 from 5 – 8 p.m.
  • Schaefer International Gallery / Yokouchi Pavilion & Courtyard
• OBSERVE & PLAY FAMILY DAY – In Honor of Shirley Yokouchi
  • Saturday, Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • Schaefer International Gallery

Maui Arts & Cultural Center announces two free events taking place in September as part of the public programming for its current exhibition Keoni of Hawai‘i: Art of the Aloha Shirt in Schaefer International Gallery. The latest iteration in the gallery’s program series, ACTIVATIONS: After Hours at the Gallery, returns on Friday, Sept. 4 from 5 – 8 p.m. and features an evening of retro aloha fashion and DJ beats. The community favorite event OBSERVE & PLAY FAMILY DAY – In Honor of Shirley Yokouchi takes place on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

ACTIVATIONS: After Hours at the Gallery

Friday, September 4 from 5 – 8 p.m.
Schaefer International Gallery / Yokouchi Pavilion & Courtyard
Free with ticketed reservations via the MACC Box Office

Grab your favorite vintage aloha outfit and join us for ACTIVATIONS: After Hours at the Gallery, featuring an evening of retro island fashion and DJ beats.

Expanding on the history of Hawai‘i’s iconic aloha wear, ACTIVATIONS features dynamic runway shows of retro island fashion curated by Maui Mood Swing. Throughout the evening in Yokouchi Pavilion & Courtyard, models will strut the catwalk in vintage pieces from some of Hawai‘i’s most iconic designers—including designs by Keoni—alongside beats spun by DJ SKUBI. Take a trip through the evolution of aloha style, from the beachy fashions of Waikiki in the 1930s, to the bold patterns of the mid-century, and the funky glamour of the island soul scene in the 1970s.

Maui Mood Swing reimagines the antique marketplace experience through their Wailuku store location and community events that merge vintage collections with contemporary culture. Hawai‘i-born visual artist and sonic selector, DJ SKUBI [Gregg Kaplan], blends ambient, dub, post-punk, jazz, and electronic music into evolving atmospheres of tone and space. Food and beverages will be available for purchase for outside dining and social mingling. Schaefer International Gallery will be open throughout the evening for visitors to experience the exhibition.

ACTIVATIONS is open to all ages. Entry to the event is free, with ticketed reservations required via the MACC Box Office through mauiarts.org. Tickets are now available.

OBSERVE & PLAY FAMILY DAY – In Honor of Shirley Yokouchi

Saturday, Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Schaefer International Gallery
Free, no pre-registration required

The community favorite event OBSERVE & PLAY FAMILY DAY – In Honor of Shirley Yokouchi returns for this exhibition. We invite families to come dressed in aloha outfits and experience the colorful world of Keoni’s designs in the gallery, then channel their inspiration into activity stations outside: print a mini-shirt with Hex Press Maui, design a mu‘umu‘u, create your own fabric pattern, grab a family photo (in your aloha wear), and more. This event is free, no pre-registration required.

Exhibition background:

Since its origins nearly a century ago, the aloha shirt has become Hawai‘i’s enduring fashion statement, sporting an array of designs that have reflected the societal transitions occurring across the islands.

Through original textile artwork, production sketches and swatches, advertisements, and vintage shirts, this exhibition tells the story of John “Keoni” Meigs (1916-2003), an early innovator whose notable designs contributed to a sense of visual identity that put Hawai‘i on the world map.

Schaefer International Gallery is open from Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and also before select Castle Theater shows. Admission is free. The exhibition runs until Oct. 3.

Keoni of Hawai‘i: Art of the Aloha Shirt is presented by Maui Arts & Cultural Center and supported in part by County of Maui – Office of Economic Development.