California artist Greg LaRock drew a crowd while painting the Pioneer Inn from Banyan Tree Park during the Pioneer Inn Lahaina Harbor Quick Draw on Friday. The event was part of the ninth annual Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational held in Lahaina last week.

LAHAINA – Randall Sexton captured the “Best of Show” painting and a $1,000 check during the ninth annual Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational last week. Sexton was one of 25 prominent artists from the U.S. Mainland and Hawaii who participated in the invitational held Feb. 15-23.

Other artists who earned top invitational awards were Colin Page for “The Irvine Museum Award,” Mike Carroll for the “Honor Hawaii, Honor Maui Award,” Keith Wicks for the “Makana Aloha Foundation Award,” Jacobus Baas for “The Residences at Kapalua Bay Award,” Pierre Bouret for the “Kaanapali Management Company Award,” Greg LaRock for the “Pacific’O Restaurant Award,” Hui Lai Chong for the “Pioneer Inn Award,” Ken Auster for “Artist Choice Award,” and Dave Santillanes for the “The Peoples’ Choice Award.”

Ken Auster, Ronaldo Macedo and Carleton received Irvine Museum Honorable Mentions

“While artists took coveted honors, the real winner of this invitational was the community who experienced it,” said Rhonda Pang, event coordinator.

During the eight-day event, artists were seen around the island capturing Maui’s natural beauty, historic and cultural sites and island life.

“This year was a terrific event,” said Lynn Shue, owner of The Village Galleries.

“The energy was so high, all the artists supported one another, and we had strong support from our sponsors and volunteers. I’m so proud to have been able to host this event in my gallery for the past nine years.”