Lanai plein air artist Mike Carroll paints on location at Kamehameha Iki Park.

LAHAINA – On Feb. 18-26, 2012, the Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational will bring together 25 top plein air artists from Hawaii and the U.S. Mainland to capture Maui’s spectacular vistas, pristine beaches, majestic mountains and historic towns.

Now in its seventh year, Hawaii’s premier plein air event will offer visitors and local residents the opportunity to watch the artists at work, learn about outdoor painting and support art activities in the community while soaking up Maui’s aloha spirit.

Many of the artists participating in the upcoming invitational are well-known local favorites: George Allan of Kula, Pierre Bouret of Kauai, Mark Brown of Honolulu, Mike Carroll of Lanai City, Saim Caglayan of Kauai, Michael Clements of Kula, Betty Hay Freeland of Pukalani, Darrell Hill of the Big Island, Marty Wessler of Kauai and Carleton Kinkade, Ronaldo Macedo and Macario Pascual of Lahaina.

Prominent Mainland artists who will be participating include Ken Auster and Jacobus Baas of Laguna Beach, California; Gavin Brooks of Owings Mills, Maryland; Josh Clare from Queens Creek, Arizona; Debra Huse of Newport Beach, California; Clark G. Mitchell of Cotati, California; Billyo O’Donnell of Eureka, Missouri; Colin Page of Camden, Maine; Mary Pettis of Taylors Falls, Minnesota; Peggy Kroll Roberts and Ray Roberts of Angels Camp, California; Randall Sexton of Vallejo, California; and Jove Wang of Alhambra, California.

“The Maui Plein Air Invitational has surely become one of the premier national events of its kind,” said Mary Pettis, a favorite Mainland artist and event participant for the past six years.

“It is a joy and honor to share my passion for plein air painting with amazing artists from around the country. I truly believe that we are part of something larger – we are creating works of historic significance and value. As the week unfolds, each artist documents his or her singular and varied impressions of this extraordinary island. We also witness how art can function in ways that strengthen community and increase awareness of the everyday beauty that surrounds us, leaving the feeling that our lives are enriched through both paintings and nature.”

The 2012 Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational begins with the Kickoff Paint Out at D.T. Fleming Beach on Saturday, Feb. 18, from noon to 3 p.m. The artists then spend the week painting on their own and at special events.

Paintings will be available for sale at Village Gallery in The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua at 4 p.m. on Feb. 18. The show will continue daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Feb. 24.

Jean Stern, executive director of the Irvine Museum in Irvine, California and a recognized authority on California Impressionism, will be the guest speaker and juror during the event. He will also present a lecture, “Impressionism Made Easy,” on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Pioneer Inn in Lahaina.

The Pacific’O Sunset Paint Out at Kamehameha Iki Park on Wednesday, Feb. 22, is another chance to see all the artists in the same vicinity.

The artists will gather from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the popular beach park next to 505 Front Street to find inspiration in the sunset and beach scene.

By Friday, Feb. 24, the 25 artists will be faced with a time limit to finish a painting that will be sold later that evening. The horn will sound at 9 a.m. sharp, and the artists will have exactly two hours to complete a painting at the Pioneer Inn Lahaina Harbor Quick Draw.

Three of the best paintings from each artist plus the Quick Draw painting will be unveiled and available for purchase at the Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine Gala Reception that evening at The Village Gallery at 120 Dickenson St. in Lahaina from 5 to 9 p.m. Awards will be given, and art collectors and enthusiasts will have an opportunity to view and purchase these original works.

At Coffee, Pastries & Music with the Artists on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 9 to 11 a.m., the artists will replace paintings sold on Friday night, and the public will have one last chance to interact with all of the artists from the event at The Village Gallery. The gallery will be open until 9 p.m. that evening.

On Sunday, Feb. 26, the public will have one last chance to view and purchase available paintings at The Village Gallery from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information on the 2012 Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational, contact Rhonda Pang at (808) 298-9119 or visit www.MauiPleinAirPainting.com.

The 2012 event is coordinated by Islanders-Hawaii Plein Air Painters, West Maui Cultural Council, and The Village Gallery. Event sponsors include the county Office of Economic Development; Hawaii Tourism Authority; Maui No Ka ‘Oi Magazine; Kaanapali Land Management Corp.; Maui Printing Company; The Irvine Museum; The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua; Pioneer Inn; Pacific’O Restaurant; JMD Beverages; Maui Land & Pineapple Company Inc.; Maui Prime Fine Foods; MauiGrown Coffee Company Store; Tropic Water; and Take Home Maui.