Featured in Fine Art Connoisseur and Plein Air Magazine, Debra Huse from Newport Beach, California is a collectors favorite. Here she uses her “talent of seeing” to capture what she calls “the beauty of the moment, poetry of atmosphere and notes of light.” PHOTO COURTESY OF HONU MEDIA LLC.

LAHAINA – Maui Arts League has invited 26 award-winning artists from 12 states and Australia to participate in the 2017 Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational during Presidents’ Week in February.

This friendly fine art event brings top-ranked artists to three West Maui locations, where the public can watch them create original paintings capturing the beauty of Lahaina Harbor, Hanakao’o (Canoe) Beach and Kapalua Bay.

During the week, artists will also explore other Maui vistas and produce over 180 fresh originals. Most of the paintings will be displayed for public viewing and offered for sale after the paint-out events and at the conclusion of the week.

Proceeds support the artists, and a portion helps Maui Arts League produce the event and art workshops for adults and children.

For artists across the country and abroad, the Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational is a treasured plum. West Maui families and condo owners extend aloha to artists by providing them lodging during the event.

Popular artists invited for the first time in 2017 are Joe Anna Arnett (New Mexico), Greg Barnes (North Carolina), Carl Bretzke (Minnesota), Katie Dobson Cundiff (Florida), Leon Holmes (Perth, Australia), Terry Miura (California), Rita Pacheco (California) and John Poon (Tennesse).

Collectors’ favorites returning in February are Mark Brown (Oahu), Hiu Lai Chong (Maryland), Josh Clare (Utah), Rick Delanty (California), Debra Huse (California), Greg LaRock (California), John P Lasater IV (Arkansas), James McGrew (Oregon), Jim McVicker (California), Mary Pettis (Minnesota), Lori Putnam (Tennessee), Jason Sacran (Arkansas), Aaron Schuerr (Montana) and Randy Sexton (California).

Iconic Maui artists Carleton, Mike Carroll and Michael Clements will join event co-founder Ronaldo Macedo for an artist roster that will dazzle art enthusiasts.

The 2017 Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational from Saturday, Feb. 18, to Sunday, Feb. 26, is sponsored by the Maui Arts League and presented by Royal Lahaina Resort, which will host a fine arts gala, “Art to Heart,” the Artists Aloha Reception and an art workshop for Maui schoolchildren, “Color me Happy.” The Pioneer Inn will host a free evening art lecture by famed Irvine Museum Curator Jean Stern and a silent art auction.

Among the many local businesses and organizations who sponsor this event are Makana Aloha Foundation, One Main Plaza, Montage Kapalua Bay, Kaanapali Land Management Corp., Maui Land & Pineapple Company Inc., Mala, Honu and Frida’s Restaurants, Southern Glazers, Chambers and Chambers, Taverna, Maui Printing Company, Hyatt Residence Club, and MauiGrown Coffee.

For 2017 Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational events and details, visit www.MauiPleinAirIPainting.org. To volunteer or to host an artist with accommodations on the West Side, call Lois Reiswig at (808) 665-1491 or e-mail infomauiartsleague@yahoo.com.