Laufou

LAHAINA – Maui Arts League is adding original music to the largest fine art event in West Maui from Feb. 18-26.

Four public events during the Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational will offer opportunities to meet 26 award-winning artists from 12 states and Australia, to watch them create original paintings en plein air (outdoors, onsite), and to purchase their works.

On Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Royal Lahaina Resort ballroom, the public will enjoy the Maui Youth Philharmonic Orchestra & Friends performing a new composition by Siuai Laufou of Newleaf Music Productions.

Freshly painted canvasses portraying the beauty of West Maui’s storied places will be exhibited in the Royal Lahaina Resort ballroom, accompanied by live philharmonic music. The experience will tempt residents and visitors alike who dream of owning an original painting. Purchases support Maui Arts League youth and adult workshops and the artists.

Maui art icons Carleton, Mike Carroll and Michael Clements will join event co-founder Ronaldo Macedo for an artist roster that will dazzle art enthusiasts. New to the event are Joe Anna Arnett (New Mexico), Greg Barnes (North Carolina), Carl Bretzke (Minnesota), Katie Dodson Cundiff (Florida), Leon Holmes (Australia), Terry Miura (California), Rita Pacheco (California) and John Poon (Utah).

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Popular returning artists are Mark Brown (Oahu), Hiu Lai Chong (Maryland), Josh Clare (Utah), Rick Delanty (California), Debra Huse (California), Greg LaRock (California), James McGrew (Oregon), Jim McVicker (California), Mary Pettis (Minnesota), Lori Putnam (Tennessee), Aaron Schuerr (Montana), and Randy Sexton (California).

Best in Show winner for 2016, Jason Sacran (Arkansas), and John P. Lasater IV (Arkansas), 2016 Collectors’ and Artists’ Choice awards winner, will be co-instructing a paid en plein air adult workshop, “Finding Your Edge,” for artists and amateurs. Some seats are still available for this four-day program. Cost is $700 plus tax and fees; see “http://www.MauiPleinAirPainting.org”>www.MauiPleinAirPainting.org for details.

Maui Youth Philharmonic Orchestra & Friends, under the direction of Conductors Lance Jo and Iolani Yamashiro, has long been supported by Arts Education For Children Group (AECG), a nonprofit that funds arts education activities to enrich the lives of Maui schoolchildren.

Executive Director Bryant Neal coordinated this exciting collaboration. “Maui Arts League shares our passion to introduce youth to the arts. The public is always in for a treat when Maui youth celebrate their artistic talents,” Neal said.

Maui Arts League commissioned composer/arranger Laufou to score an original composition for the youth orchestra to debut at the invitational on Feb. 25. Laufou, a professional music educator and director of the Kamehameha Schools Maui band, has written and arranged music for Maui orchestras and professional artists Emma Veary, Uluwehi Guerero and Israel Kamakawiwi’ole.

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Laufou involved the children in the creative process. He said, “For me, composing is challenging and exciting. Imagine the joy of the performers as they explore their own expressions and master a playful score composed specifically for them.”

Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational is a community event 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 called “Color me Happy.”

The Pioneer Inn will host a free evening art lecture by famed Irvine Museum Collection Executive Director Jean Stern.

Silent auction paintings may be viewed on Maui Arts League’s website prior to the event.

Among the many local businesses that sponsor this event are Makana Aloha Foundation; One Main Plaza; Mary Anne Fitch; Nam Le Viet; Pioneer Inn; Montage Kapalua Bay; Kaanapali Land Management Corp.; The Irvine Museum Collection, University of California-Irvine; Maui Land & Pineapple Company Inc.; Mala, Honu and Frida’s Restaurants; Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits; Chambers and Chambers Wine Merchants; Taverna; Maui Printing Company; Hyatt Residence Club; and MauiGrown Coffee Company Store.

For more information on all of the Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational events, visit www.MauiPleinAirPainting.org or call Lois Reiswig at (808) 665-1491.