MAKAWAO – Hui No’eau and East Maui Watershed Partnership welcome the community to celebrate “Plants & Crafts: M?lama Wao Akua Closing Celebration” on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center.

View art, experience an art project or demonstration, shop local plants and crafts, eat and learn more about Maui’s conservation efforts and the importance of protecting native species at this special event.

The event is open to the public with free admission.

Presented in collaboration with East Maui Watershed Partnership, this family-friendly event will give the community a final chance to view the incredible artwork of 51 adults, 14 high school students, 22 middle school students and ten elementary school students in the Malama Wao Akua Exhibition, which has been on display in the hui gallery since Sept. 14.

Malama Wao Akua (Caring for the Realm of the Gods) is an annual juried art exhibition celebrating the native species of Maui Nui (Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe).

The celebration will also include local Made on Maui craft vendors (Rose Bailey, Jasmine Honey Jewelry, Cherie Attix, Grace Hazel, Pam Street, Jonathan Mann and Evelyn Brown), native plant sales by Native Nursery, food by Ono Pono Acai, Maui Coconut Care and more, and educational booths hosted by Maui’s conservation organizations, including East Maui Watershed Partnership, Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project, Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, Haleakala National Park, Mauna Kahalawai Watershed Partnership (formerly known as the West Maui Mountains Watershed Partnership), Plant Extinction Prevention Program, Maui Nui Marine Response Center, and Kohola Project.

Each of the hui’s art studios will be open for guests to explore. Children can participate in the Keiki Art Station in the garden, and guests can enjoy live demonstrations in glassblowing, lei-making, jewelry and more.

This event is also the perfect time to visit the hui’s History Room (located within the walls of the 100-year-old historic Kaluanui home) to experience the large-scale mural created by Artist in Residence Mazatl, a graphic maker from Mexico City who utilizes public space to communicate ideas and emotions and seeks to create conversations towards collective liberation.

Throughout his six-week residency at Hui No’eau, Mazatl’s large-scale mural was inspired by his experience on Maui, and specifically his experiences at Auwahi Forest Restoration Project in Ulupalakua. This mural will remain in the hui’s history room for visitors to enjoy daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission.

Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center is located at 2841 Baldwin Avenue in Makawao. Call 573-6999 for more information.