38th Annual Art Maui

Art Maui is an annual exhibit at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Schaefer International Gallery. This juried show features works by some of Maui’s most creative artists in a range of mediums, from painting to sculpting, glassblowing, jewelry making, wood carving, and more. Every year there are new surprises in store for gallery viewers. This year’s exhibition included a variety of pieces that showcased the unique talents of our island’s art community.

Michael Worcester’s “Carved Water” bowl captured the light with a delicate glasswork design that gave the illusion of a pool of water. Peeking into the center, you’d almost think you could dive right in.

David Fitch’s “Pe’ahi o Na Ali’i” handcrafted wood table was skillfully carved and featured a detailed fan-like pattern across the top surface.

This ceramic piece by Mary Ann Leigh titled “Sanctuary” was an intricately sculpted vessel with jagged outer shapes opening to reveal a view directly through the inside.

A number of paintings stood out for their visual appeal. Meryl Haywood’s “Tove Lo” was a captivating portrait with a softness of tone and brushstroke that gave an ethereal feel.

Annamarie Sheehan’s “Healing Waters” drew the viewer in with its intriguing color palette and style.

Laurence Muleh’s “‘Akohekohe, ‘Amakihi, Ohia Lehua” was a beautiful tribute to Hawaii’s native honeycreepers and the flowering trees they feed on.

Several pieces in the show focused on sugar cane, an industry that will soon be ending on Maui. The artwork was grouped together along one section of the gallery. Tom Sewell’s “Goodbye Sugar” multi-media installation was central to the display and featured a television screen with images of sugar harvesting and production.

Julie Houck’s “Three Views of Cane” triptych (top of photo) and Susan Conway Kean’s “Ready for the Last Load” (bottom of photo) oil paintings gave a nod to the end of an era for sugar cane on the island.

Artist Deybra Fair’s work was instantly recognizable for her distinct design aesthetic. Her “Rusted Seams” sculpture transformed rough materials into a softer silhouette.

Two fun, original pieces highlighted the diverse creativity of Maui’s many talented artists. Shaun Fleming’s “Just the Essentials” carved wood cabinet displayed meticulously inlaid renditions of items kept on hand in kitchen cupboards here on the islands.

This clay sculpture by Mark Olpindo was aptly titled “Milk + Cereal.” Scaled to actual size, the fruit ring cereal looked good enough to eat. The milk jug seemed to defy gravity as it hovered above the bowl.

The 2016 exhibit marked another excellent showing of artistic skill and imagination. To learn more about Art Maui and see images of all of the artwork, visit www.artmaui.com.