18 Feb Royal Lahaina Resort will host 2017 Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational Gala
For the first time, Royal Lahaina Resort will host the 2017 Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational Gala, “Art to Heart” Friday, Feb. 24. 6 – 9 p.m. Tickets are on sale online at www.MauiPleinAirPainting.org/Events or from Lois: 665-1491. The cost is $150 until Dec. 31, and $175 thereafter. Seating is limited.
This gala and art sale event has grown to an exhibition of over 180 original Maui paintings created by 26 professional plein air artists, exhibited this year in the Royal Lahaina Resort ballroom on portable gallery panels purchased by Maui Arts League with generous gifts from their sponsors.
“We are proud to continue our support of the arts and cultural development in West Maui,” said Tom Bell, president of Hawaiian Hotels and Resorts, hotel management group for Royal Lahaina Resort. “Transforming our ballroom into an innovative and engaging art exhibition sets the venue for our chefs to create dishes that are sure to inspire the senses.”
The “Art to Heart” by-ticket- only Champagne reception, awards recognition and art sale is geared for art lovers and collectors. A four-course, sit-down banquet is designed to arouse the palate and warm the heart with culinary artistry: black-and- white sesame-crusted Hawaiian Shrimp Hunan appetizer, and an entrée of petit filet mignon Bordelaise on ancient grains, topped with smoked Gouda, surfing the same plate with macadamia-cilantro crusted fresh Monchong à la beurre Kaffir lime. Executive chef Bernardo Salazar also promises an artistic surprise dessert.
Besides fine art and gourmet delights, guests will also enjoy choreography by Iona Modern Dancers from Honolulu, whose high-concept flower costumes create a “living garden” of movement. Later, table conversation will float on the musical rhythms and improvisations of Gina Martinelli’s &; Company jazz combo. The fun of a live auction—collectors vying for the “Best in Show” winning painting—adds the art of bidding to an evening of fine art, music, modern dance and cuisine that will excite all the senses.
The Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational is the main fundraising event of Maui Arts League, which hopes to “fill a void in the community by more actively pursuing arts education and art appreciation for all members of our local community and visitors alike.” Their new lightweight, portable exhibit panels with onboard LED lighting will help their mission. Scott Olsson, a Maui Plein Air volunteer says, “Three of us can set up a gallery in no time – anywhere you want and in any configuration.”
Visit www.MauiPleinAirPainting.org for times and dates of all the Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational public events beginning Saturday, Feb. 18. During the weeklong event, the public will have three opportunities to observe 26 artists at work, creating finished landscapes or portraits in four hours or less. Art lovers will have seven opportunities to view and purchase original paintings by nationally acclaimed artists and one evening of art appreciation with a free art lecture (The Art of Looking at Art) by Irvine Museum Executive Director, Jean Stern. The Pioneer Inn, will host this educational evening Monday, Feb. 19.
The Friday Night, Feb. 24 “Art to Heart” Gala kicks off a full weekend of fine art activities. This ticketed event is followed with a Public Aloha Artists’ Reception Saturday, Feb. 25, where all the award paintings will be on display and Maui Youth Philharmonic Orchestra & Friends will perform.
On Sunday, Feb. 26, art teacher Nancy Young and her staff of volunteers will conduct a youth outdoor painting workshop, “Color Me Happy,” for Maui public school students grades 2- 12, who must register ahead of time. What could be better than bringing your budding artist to a free educational adventure?
For artists, this Maui invitational is a treasured plum. The 2017 artist roster includes Maui favorites like Ronaldo Macedo, Carleton, Mike Carroll and Michael Clements. Returning artists are Mark Brown (Oahu), Hiu Lai Chong (Maryland), Josh Clare (Utah), Rick Delanty (California), Debra Huse (California), Greg LaRock (California), John P Lasater IV (Arkansas), James McGrew (Oregon), Jim McVicker (California), Mary Pettis (Minnesota), Lori Putnam (Tennessee), Jason Sacran (Arkansas), Aaron Schuerr (Montana), and Randy Sexton (California). New to the Invitational are Joe Anna Arnett (New Mexico), Greg Barnes (North Carolina), Carl Bretzke (Minnesota), Katie Dobson Cundiff (Florida), Leon Holmes (Perth, Australia), Terry Miura (California), Rita Pacheco (California), John Poon (Tennesse).