Twenty-five artists have been selected to paint during the nine-day Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational on Feb. 17-25.

WEST MAUI – West Maui’s largest fine art event, the annual Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational, returns on Feb. 17-25 for a repeat performance – a celebration of art and the creative spirit within each of us.

One has only to look at the caliber of artists and the exciting lineup of activities spread across nine unforgettable days to be inspired.

This year, the public will enjoy 25 renowned artists creating original paintings at three paint out events: Lahaina Harbor Kick Off, Kapalua Bay Paint Out, and the Canoe Beach Quick Draw. Six opportunities to purchase over 200 original works will be offered at various events and locations in West Maui.

Art educational experiences will include a lecture entitled “Artists of Influence” by Jean Stern, associate director at the University of California, Irvine Museum and Institute for California Art, an enlightening presentation on the impact of artists and their works through the years. Culminating the event will be the Art to Heart Gala, the Artists’ Aloha Reception and the Artists’ Farewell Reception, all held at the Royal Lahaina Resort. A Youth Paint Out will also be held to inspire our future artists – our keiki.

This year’s participating artists hail from Hawaii, the Mainland USA and Australia. They are: Jacobus Baas (CA), Suzie Greer Baker (TX), Greg Barnes (NC), Joshua Been (CO), Mark Brown (Oahu), Carleton (Maui), Mike Carroll (Lanai), Michael Clements (Maui), Jennifer Diehl (OR), Ray Hassard (OH), Leon Holmes (AU), Debra Huse (CA), Greg LaRock (CA), Ronaldo Macedo (Maui), James McGrew (OR), Jim McVicker (CA), Terry Miura (CA), Larry Moore (FL), Mary Pettis (MN), Morgan Samuel Price (FL), Scott Prior (CA), James Richards (GA), Patrick Saunders (MO), Aaron Schuerr (MT) and Randy Sexton (CA).

According to the Maui Arts League, a nonprofit organization that will co-present this year’s event with Royal Lahaina Resort, Lahaina professional plein air artist Ronaldo Macedo planted the seed for this event. All his peers from the Mainland plein air artist community wanted to come to Maui, since it was such a great place to paint. Ronaldo’s artist friends in Hawaii joined him in welcoming the Mainlanders to the first plein air event in 2006.

Since that time, the event has evolved from a seven-day local art show exhibiting over 150 paintings and four art sales events to a nine-day art exhibition featuring over 200 paintings, six art sales events, adult workshops, art discussion panels, a youth paint out and artist receptions.

“We’re so thrilled with the success the Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational has had over the years and its impact on our community,” said Kathleen Giambalvo of Kaanapali Land Management Corp., which has sponsored the event for the past nine years. “One can’t help but be inspired to see these artists create amazing works in such a short amount of time right before our eyes. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to talk story with these artists and to purchase original works.”

For information and a schedule of events, please visit www.MauiPleinAirPainting.org or call (808) 268-0787.