The Sewing Hui of Maui invites fiber artists to enter the 2026 Fiber Arts Show

Following a successful return last year that drew more than 100 entries, the Maui Fiber Arts Show will return Oct. 1-4, 2026, bringing together fiber artists from across Maui County for four days celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, tradition and community.

Produced and sponsored by The Sewing Hui of Maui as part of the Maui County Fair, the Fiber Arts Show will once again be held at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center. The Maui County Fair will take place at the War Memorial Special Events Complex in Wailuku, while the Fiber Arts Show, Orchid Club, Student Art and Horticulture exhibitions will be showcased at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center during the same weekend.

After helping revive the Fiber Arts Show in 2025 following a six-year hiatus, The Sewing Hui is returning to chair and coordinate the exhibition for a second year.

“Last year, we were so excited to see the Fiber Arts Show return and to give Maui’s makers a place to share their work again,” said Jennifer Oberg, chair of the Fiber Arts Show and director of The Sewing Hui of Maui. “Seeing more than 100 pieces on display reminded us how much creativity exists throughout our community. This year, we want to build on that excitement, welcome even more people into the show, and celebrate everything from traditional techniques to sewing, quilting, crochet, weaving and creative reuse.”

A Show for Everyone

The Fiber Arts Show invites entries from Maui County residents of all skill and experience levels across five divisions: Professional, Kūpuna (65+), Adult, Youth (12–17), and Keiki (5–11). Participants may submit work in nine categories: Traditional Hawaiian Fiber Arts, Crochet, Knit, Needlework, Sewing, Loom Weaving, Yarn, Quilts, and Upcycled Fiber Arts. Each category includes multiple sections, opening the show to a variety of handmade work.

Participants may enter up to two pieces per section and are welcome to enter multiple sections and categories. Pieces created within the past two years are eligible, making it easy for makers to share something they are already proud of rather than feeling they need to create something new specifically for the competition.

“We want people to look at something they have made and feel proud to share it,” Oberg said. “You don’t have to consider yourself an artist or an expert. Whether you are a keiki who has just learned to sew, someone who has crocheted for decades, a quilter, weaver, knitter or professional fiber artist, there is a place for your work in this show.”

New Upcycled Fiber Arts Category Highlights Textile Sustainability

The addition of Upcycled Fiber Arts reflects The Sewing Hui’s growing work around textile reuse and waste reduction on Maui.

Through its sewing events and community projects, The Sewing Hui has helped divert more than 5,000 pounds of textiles from Maui’s landfills. Their monthly sewing events serve as a space for participants to mend, repair, repurpose and extend the life of clothing and other textiles rather than throwing them away.

“Fiber art doesn’t always have to begin with something new,” Oberg said. “There is so much potential in the textiles we already have. We hope the Upcycled Fiber Arts category gets people thinking creatively about repair, reuse and transformation and shows that sustainability can also produce something beautiful.”

Awards and Community-Sponsored Prizes

Entries will be judged within their division, category and section, with opportunities to receive First Place, Second Place and Third Place awards. Additional honors include Best of Show, a Grand Prize Award and the People’s Choice Award, which gives visitors an opportunity to select a favorite piece during the show.

In addition to ribbons and awards, entrants will have opportunities to receive special prizes contributed by Maui businesses and community supporters.

Confirmed prize contributors include Ben Franklin, Sew Special, Macy’s, Tin Roof, Tiffany’s Restaurant, Fork & Salad, Sam Sato’s, Ultimate Air Trampoline Park, Stitch by Stitch, Maui Chocolates, Maui Gold Pineapple, Three’s Bar & Grill, Surfing Goat Dairy, Starbucks Pukalani, Pukalani Superette, Cafe O’Lei, Calypso Maui, and many more.

Prizes include restaurant gift cards, gift baskets, activities and experiences, and other items donated by local businesses.

“We are incredibly grateful to the businesses that have stepped forward to support the Fiber Arts Show,” Oberg said. “Their generosity makes the experience even more exciting for our participants and demonstrates how many different parts of our community are coming together to celebrate Maui’s makers.”

How to Enter

The Fiber Arts Show is open to Maui County residents. The entry fee is $5 per item, which helps support the show, ribbons, awards and the sustainability of the Maui County Fair.

Online registration is preferred, and printable paper forms are also available. Registration information, entry forms and complete guidelines are available at: www.thesewinghui.com/fiberartsshow

Information may also be accessed through the Maui County Fair website: https://www.themauifair.com/fiber-arts-contest.html 

The submission deadline is Sept. 20, 2026. Entries may be dropped off Sept. 12–20, 2026, at Sew Special at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, located next to the Women’s Macy’s.

Entries may be picked up Sunday, Oct. 4, from 2–5 p.m. at the Fiber Arts Show exhibit location at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center.

Volunteers Needed

The Fiber Arts Show is made possible by a dedicated team of community volunteers, and additional volunteers are needed for the 2026 show.

The Sewing Hui is currently seeking volunteers to serve as docents and assist with setup and breakdown of the show. Anyone who enjoys fiber arts, community events or simply wants to lend a hand is encouraged to participate.

The 2026 Fiber Arts Show leadership team includes:

• Jennifer Oberg – Chair, Fiber Arts Show
• Yasmine Lindskog – Administrative Coordinator 
• Debbie Shimabukuro – Communications, Fundraising, Marketing, Prize Coordinator 
• Pam Townsend – Data Entry
• Gail Norris – Docent Coordinator 
• Sharon Labao – Entry Form Development
• Irene Gombac – Exhibit Setup & Breakdown
• Mallory Armstrong and Marilyn Tsang – Entries Management 
• Paula Peranick – Judge Coordinator 

“This show is created by the community, for the community,” Oberg said. “Whether someone enters a piece, volunteers for a shift, votes for the People’s Choice Award or simply comes to see what Maui’s fiber artists have created, we hope they will be part of it.”