LAHAINA – On Feb. 15-23, the ninth annual Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational will bring together 25 of the finest plein air painters from Hawaii and the U.S. Mainland to compete, reconnect and create original works of art.

The public can experience the island captured on canvas, as participating artists paint on location with works honoring Maui and its culture. All events will be held in Lahaina.

“The success of this annual event is directly attributed to the caliber of artists,” said Lynn Shue, owner of The Village Galleries.

“Their paintings pay witness to Maui’s history, capturing the beauty and lifestyle that makes our island home unique. Not only are these artists’ exceptionally talented individuals, but they also have a genuine aloha for our island.”

Hawaii artists participating in this year’s event are Ronaldo Macedo, Macario Pascual and Carleton of Lahaina; Michael Clements of Kula; Mike Carroll of Lanai City; Pierre Bouret of Hanalei; Saim Caglayan of Kilauea; Jenifer Prince of Princeville; and Mark Brown of Honolulu.

Prominent artists hailing from the U.S. Mainland are Ken Auster and Jacobus Baas of Laguna Beach, CA; Hiu Lai Chong of Rockville, MD; Debra Huse of Newport Beach, CA; Thomas Jefferson Kitts of Portland, OR; Colin Page of Camden, ME; Mary Pettis of Taylors Falls, MN; Randall Sexton of Vallejo, CA; Carolyn Hesse-Low from La Jolla, CA; Keith Wicks of Sonoma, CA; Hai Ou Hou of Stevensville, MD; Lori Putnam of Franklin, TN; Dave Santillanes of Fort Collins, CO; David Savellano of Alameda, CA; Ned Meuller of Renton, WA; and Greg LaRock of Newport Beach, CA.

“Each artist has deservedly earned a coveted spot in the world of plein air painting,” said event Coordinator Rhonda Pang. “Attendees are in for a treat as they watch these artists translate everyday life using their senses, from sight to sound, from temperature to atmosphere, and then channel these impressions into their vision in paint on canvas. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and truly amazing!”

The invitational officially begins with a Kickoff Paint Out at Lahaina Jodo Mission and vicinity on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Artists’ freshly painted works will be displayed for sale from 11 a.m. until noon at Lahaina Jodo Mission.

Throughout the week, artists will capture Maui’s unique landscape and lifestyle on canvas from Saturday to Friday, Feb. 21.

On Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m., Jean Stern, executive director of The Irvine Museum in California, will once again conduct his popular, free lecture at the Pioneer Inn in Lahaina. This year’s lecture is titled “Masterpieces of Plein Air Painting.”

In conjunction with the lecture, an Artists’ Mini-Paintings Silent Auction with paintings brought from their home studios will be held from 6 to 7 p.m., with final bidding following the lecture from 8 to 8:30 p.m.

The next day, Feb. 19, at 4 p.m., artists will gather at Kamehameha Iki Park next to 505 Front Street in Lahaina for the Pacific’O Sunset Paint Out, finding inspiration in the sunset, beach scenes and canoes on display.

On Friday, Feb. 21, from 9 to 11 a.m., the Pioneer Inn Lahaina Harbor Quick Draw will attract hundreds of onlookers. Each artist will have just two hours to complete a painting. The public will have the opportunity to watch a painting being created from start to finish.

The week’s fresh works of art will be unveiled on Friday evening, Feb. 21, at The Village Galleries at 120 Dickenson St. in Lahaina. New this year, an Exclusive Collectors’ Hour has been announced from 5 to 6 p.m. At this ticketed event (cost of ticket will be deducted from cost of purchased paintings), collectors will have priority viewing and the first opportunity to purchase the week’s paintings.

During this exclusive hour, refreshments will be served. To purchase an admission ticket, visit mauipleinairpainting.org and complete the Collectors’ Hour form. Pay with a PayPal account for secure, online purchasing, or call Ann Pistillo at (808) 214-9973 to reserve your ticket.

The Gala Reception from 6 to 9 p.m. is the highlight of the week and begins with a traditional Hawaiian blessing, artists’ introductions and awards presentation, culminating with the untying of the ti-lei signifying the opening of the gallery. Three paintings from each artist, plus the Quick Draw paintings will be unveiled.

The event continues on Saturday, Feb. 23, from 9 to 11 a.m. with Coffee and Pastries with the Artists. The artists will replace paintings sold on Friday night, and the public will have a final opportunity to interact with all of the artists and purchase work from the event at The Village Galleries in Lahaina.

The Plein Air Final Sale will take place on Sunday, Feb. 23, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will be the public’s last chance to view and purchase paintings.

The Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational will also host two 3-day workshops with participating artists from the Mainland. A Pre-Event Workshop with Greg LaRock will be held on Feb. 12-14, and a Post-Event Workshop with Colin Page will be held on Feb. 24-26. For those who have signed up for a workshop, participants will have the opportunity to meet the teaching artist the evening before the workshop.

To sign up for a workshop, or to learn more about the events, visit mauipleinairpainting.org or call (808) 298-9119.

The 2014 event is coordinated by Islanders-Hawaii Plein Air Painters, The Village Galleries and West Maui Cultural Council, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. A portion of the art sales will go toward art scholarships and programs on Maui.