Lois Reiswig jokingly says she can’t draw a straight line, let alone an entire scene, but she has nonetheless become a leader in Maui’s thriving art community.
“My husband and I have been collecting art for 35 years,” said the Kapalua resident, who is president of the Maui Arts League (see sidebar). “I’ve always appreciated things I’m not able to do myself. Since I can’t draw, I admire people who have that gift, and I treasure the paintings that we own.”
The Maui Arts League spearheads the annual Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational, a weeklong event that this year will spotlight 26 artists from Australia and 13 states across America, including five from Hawaii (a complete list is on the MPAPI website).
The French term “en plein air,” meaning “in the open air,” refers to a seminal movement that began in Paris in the 1860s. Instead of aiming for realism and clearly defined forms, which was the prevalent approach at the time, painters ventured outdoors to capture a fleeting moment — a memorable impression characterized by vibrant colors, the capricious quality of light and the use of many small touches of paint rather than broad strokes.
At first, critics panned impressionism for its lack of detail and unfinished appearance; however, among its proponents were some of the greatest artists of all time: Monet, Cezanne, Degas and Renoir.
In 2001 California painter John Cosby and Maui painter Ronaldo Macedo came up with the idea of inviting top Hawaii and mainland plein-air artists to participate in an event on Maui. The public would be able to watch the artists work on location and later purchase the paintings that caught their eye.
After a successful trial run in 2004, the inaugural MPAPI was held in February 2006. Over the years it has grown to become one of Hawaii’s most anticipated art events. Part of the net proceeds funds youth art projects, supplies and scholarships.
“Invitees must be full-time artists who excel in the plein-air genre,” Reiswig said. “They must have a comprehensive website, belong to professional art associations, have won awards, and support art programs or scholarships in their community either by volunteering or making donations.”
Maui Arts League
The Maui Arts League is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to showcase, cultivate and build appreciation for visual fine arts while creating unique opportunities for people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds to embrace the experience of art.
Besides planning and implementing the Maui Plein Air Painting Invitational, the league supports art tours, lectures and programs, and scholarships for students.
In the next five to eight years, the organization hopes to build a fine-arts museum in West Maui that would host traveling exhibits, workshops and special events. For more information, email
InfoMauiArtsLeague@yahoo.com or check out the website
mauiartsleague.org.
With the intent of fostering interest in and appreciation for plein-air painting, this year’s 12th annual MPAPI welcomes the public to nine events (eight of them free), including the Quick Draw at Hanakaoo Park.
“The artists will have two hours to complete a painting that’s between 8 by 10 inches and 12 by 16 inches,” Reiswig said. “That’s really challenging; they need to home in on a subject fast and stay focused. Amazingly, their Quick Draw paintings are often as good as the other works they create during the week when they have more time.”
Another highlight will be the Art to Heart Gala, featuring a Champagne reception so guests can meet and chat with the artists; a four-course gourmet dinner; entertainment by the Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre and the Gina Martinelli & Company Jazz Combo; an awards ceremony and live auction for the Best in Show painting; and the opportunity to purchase 104 of the works created at the MPAPI. Those not attending the gala will have five other opportunities to buy art; all told, more than 200 paintings will be for sale.
“It’s amazing to watch professional plein-air artists produce their visions of Maui’s people, landscapes and historical buildings on canvas,” Reiswig said. “As always, their images will be beautiful, dramatic, inspirational, uplifting and thought provoking. Their paintings will show that art, no matter how small, can enrich your life in big ways.”
SCHEDULE
>> Saturday: Kick-Off Paint Out, Lahaina Harbor, 7:30 to 11 a.m. Paintings will be available for purchase in Pioneer Inn’s courtyard, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
>> Feb. 20: Mini Paintings Silent Auction, Pioneer Inn’s Snug Harbor Room, 6 to 7 p.m. Works range from 5 by 7 to 8 by 8 inches. Also, Jean Stern, executive director of the Irvine Museum in Irvine, Calif., will present a lecture on ‘The Art of Looking at Art,” 7 to 8 p.m., Pioneer Inn’s courtyard.
>> Feb. 22: Sunset Paint Out, Montage Kapalua Bay, 3 to 6 p.m. Paintings will be available for purchase in the hotel’s Sunset Room, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
>> Feb. 24: Quick Draw, Hanakaoo Park (Canoe Beach), 9 to 11 a.m. Also planned is the Art to Heart Gala, Royal Lahaina Resort’s ballroom, 6 to 10 p.m. $175 per person.
>> Feb. 25: Artists’ Aloha Reception and Art Sale, Royal Lahaina Resort’s ballroom, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Award-winning paintings will be displayed until 4 p.m.
>> Feb. 26: Color Me Happy children’s art event, Royal Lahaina Resort, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Limited to 40 keiki in grades 2 through 12. Advance online registration is required. Also held this day will be the final sale in the hotel’s ballroom, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
>> Feb. 27 through March 2: A post-event plein-air workshop, “Finding Your Edge,” will be led by nationally renowned artists Jason Sacran (jason sacran.com) and John P. Lasater IV (lasaterart.com). It’s open to everyone, from beginners to experienced artists. Cost is $700; advance online registration is required.
Cheryl Chee Tsutsumi is a Honolulu-based freelance writer whose travel features for the Star-Advertiser have won several Society of American Travel Writers awards.
