From Feb. 27 to March 26, bid on and view incredible artwork online or in Hui No‘eau’s gallery. PHOTO BY BRYAN BERKOWITZ.

MAKAWAO — Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center invites the community to join the organization for its Annual Art Affair fundraiser — “THE JOY OF ART AFFAIR: A Happy Little Hui!” — from Feb. 26 to March 26, 2021.

During this exciting month of giving, Hui No’eau encourages guests to join them online and in the gallery for a series of online auctions and events. Proceeds enable access to exceptional visual arts programming for all ages and abilities throughout the year.

Visit the online auction going live on Feb. 26 at https://artaffair2021.ggo.bid for unique experiences, gift certificates and more! See how the hui serves the community and enjoy an incredible music performance by Tavana.

From Feb. 27 to March 26, bid on and view exclusive works from the Gage Schubert Private Collection as well as incredible artwork from local artists online or in the hui gallery. The gallery will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission to the public.

VIP Art Affair Bubble Parties will be available during the month of March by reservation. Enjoy a festive party with your bubble (up to ten participants) at the historic Kaluanui Estate and catered by Chef Bev Gannon! Availability is limited; call the hui at 572-6560, extension 35, or e-mail sharona@huinoeau.com to book your event.

For additional information and details on the auction, visit huinoeau.com/art-events.

In related news, Hui No’eau Visual Arts Center invites Maui County preschools and public elementary schools to participate in the center’s FREE virtual art field trip program during April and May 2021.

Hui No’eau is currently collecting pre-orders for the program. Schools will be served on a first-come, first-served basis until supplies and funding run out.

Hui No’eau’s new virtual field trip program aims to replicate the traditional youth field trip experience in an online setting. Participating teachers receive a hands-on art lesson that can be taught in a classroom or at home through distance learning.

Each virtual field trip package includes a follow-along video art lesson guided by a Hui Teaching Artist as well as the art supplies needed to complete the project. Hui No’eau also includes supplemental videos that connect the art project to life science or Hawaiian history and culture.

Participating youth may also view a kid-friendly tour of Hui No’eau’s art gallery and grounds.

Hui No’eau Deputy Director Lana Coryell said, “We tested the program in the fall, and the positive response was overwhelming. School teachers told us it was so much fun to give their students a hands-on arts learning experience just like it was pre-COVID.”

Hui No’eau reached over 700 children through pilot virtual field trips and plans to reach even more children in the coming months.

Virtual field trips vary based on grade level and include projects like “Hawaiian Night He’e (Octopus),” “Hawaiian Yellow Faced Bee or Damselfly Collage” and “Kaheka (Tidepool) Collage.”

Hui No’eau collaborated with marine biologist and teacher Elyssa Farmer, photographer Zach Pezzillo and East Maui Watershed Partnership to add more science learning to the projects. As arts integrated experiences, all projects align with one or more grade level benchmarks in math, science and language arts.

To participate in upcoming virtual field trip programs, interested schools and teachers should complete the online pre-order form on hui’s website at huinoeau.com. Preschools and public elementary schools may participate in the program at no cost.

The current program focuses on preschool through grade five with hopes to expand to middle school grades later this year.

To make a donation to Hui No’eau or its youth programs, contact Coryell at lanac@huinoeau.com or 572-6560, extension 22.