“Art is, after all, only a trace-like a footprint which shows that one has walked bravely and in great happiness.”
— Robert Henri
About the Week-Long Event
At this year’s Plein Air Invitational, the event is comprised of 24 invited artists from Hawaii and other states. The invited artists will showcase their plein air painting techniques during the week, followed by a sale at Village Gallery.
Three separate public painting demonstrations offer opportunities for residents and visitors to experience these gifted artists create paintings first hand.
The week ends with selection of Awards by our Juror Jean Stern and our Event Sponsors and our Grand Sale at Village Gallery Lahaina
A percentage of our net proceeds help to support Lahaina Restoration Foundation and their efforts to preserve and rebuild the historic sites of Lahaina..
Inspired by the island’s immense beauty and spirit of aloha, Maui has long been a haven for artists. Blessed with year round weather conducive to painting outdoors, there has been a rich history of plein air painters in Hawaii.
Populated with both artists and art galleries, Maui is an art destination that attracts enthusiasts and collectors.
Paint Maui 2025 is a Plein Air Invitational event that is being sponsored by Village Gallery Lahaina, local artists, local business and art enthusiasts.
Consisting of 24 invited artists from the islands and the mainland, it is organized in a familiar style of plein air events that are held across the country, while maintaining the local flavor of aloha here in Hawaii.
Our emphasis is on a relaxed fun event for all involved. Village Gallery Lahaina, with over 50 years in operation in Lahaina, will be reopening in a new location after the devastating loss of their gallery in the August 2023 wildfire is the perfect venue for our art sales.
The volunteers also helping to support this event are the best you’ll find anywhere, and of course there is no shortage of spectacular subject matter to paint.
Mr. JEAN STERN
Director Emeritus The Irvine Museum
A recognized authority on California Impressionism, Art Historian Jean Stern has extensive experience in the field as an author, curator, lecturer, and teacher. He was the founding director of The Irvine Museum from its inception in April 1992 until his retirement in 2020.
Guest Lecturer and Juror
Lecture & Slide Show Monday, February 17th at 7pm,
Kapalua Ritz Carlton - Plantation Ballroom
As director, Mr. Stern worked to establish a national presence for California Impressionism through a noteworthy series of books, exhibitions, lectures, articles and video documentaries. In his career, he has presented over 275 lectures and judged and juried more than 125 local, national and international art competitions. He has authored, edited or contributed to over 30 books on California art.
Mr. Stern has presented tours and lectures on California Art in numerous museums including the International Cultural Center, Krakow, Poland; Mona Bismarck Foundation in Paris, France; El Centro Cultural del Conde Duque, Madrid, Spain; National Academy Museum in New York; Terra Museum in Chicago; San Diego Museum of Art; Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Gibbes Museum in Charleston; Brigham Young University Museum; Autry National Western Heritage Center; The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum and many others. He appears in IMPRESSIONS OF CALIFORNIA, a PBS documentary video series on art in California, and on PLEIN AIR: PAINTING THE AMERICAN LANDSCAPE, (PBS 2007). He was a consultant to the Fleischer Museum in Scottsdale, Arizona, and is an adviser to the Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University, in Orange, California.
He currently serves on the board of the California Art Club, founded in 1909, and is a board adviser to the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, in Laguna Beach, California. Since its inception in 2012, he has presented lectures at every annual Plein Air Convention, organized by Plein Air Magazine. In 2017, Mr. Stern received the prestigious CHEVALIER OF THE ORDER OF ARTS AND LETTERS from the French Ministry of Culture. He has also been presented with three LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS: by the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association in 2013; by the Plein Air Painters of America in 2014; and by Plein Air Magazine in 2014
Gallery Show and Awards
at Village Gallery Lahaina
Friday February 21, 5pm
Join us at Village Gallery Lahaina at it’s New Location on Friday at 5pm as we feature the week long works of the artists and celebrate the award recipients.
All paintings from the 2025 participating invitational artists will be offered for purchase.
Sales continue Saturday Feb.22 and Sunday Feb. 23 until noon.