When dusk falls Friday, it's the right time to get up, stand up and head up to "Uptown's Uprising" in Wailuku, a funky and fresh exhibition of Maui's up-and-coming young artists. Hosted by Maui Thing, a clothing identity that promotes all things good about Maui, the retail store will transform its location at 7 N. Market St., into a "bohemian art gallery rave party,"?organizers said. The show from 5 to 8:30 p.m. will feature recent works by artists Adam Nolan, Ian Maculum, Reuben Cantere and Alex Quintan, and music by DJ Jay-P.
And young local artists, who have been shaped by the community and inspired by the island, are reason enough to make it up to the show.
"I like to skateboard, and paint pictures. I like rice and music. You can see all this in my work," Cantere said. "It's my dream to be an artist. Right now I want to sell my work and use that money to go to art school on the Mainland. But no matter where I go, my heart will always be right here on Maui."
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Reuben Cantere’s “The Grape Building”
Maui Thing opened in July and promotes a message of positivism and togetherness with its tagline "stuck on good."
"From the start, what set the Maui Thing brand apart was our passion to spotlight the positive elements of life on the Maui," Maui Thing founder Saedene Ota said. "When we opened our store in back in July, we envisioned a flexible space that could be transformed to highlight the people and causes in our community that we believe in. But we really think this event is something extra special.
"These artists are all around the age of 20 and have a burning desire to express themselves creatively," she said. "They've banded together as a collective to exchange ideas and encourage each other."
For more information, call 249-0215 or visit www.mauithing.com.
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Island artist Ronaldo Macedo and sculptor Dale Zarrella will be hosted from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at Lahaina Galleries' 828 Front St. location in Lahaina town.
"Through Macedo's renditions of plantation houses, harbor scenes and pristine beaches, he stimulates our intellect to recall history and traditions," the gallery said. "He stirs our spirit with the beauty he portrays and rouses our senses with the atmosphere that he creates."
Zarrella sculpts mystical, magical and spiritual pieces from exotic Hawaiian woods, bronze and marble.
Then, Macedo will once again be attending "WOW! Wailea on Wednesdays" from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. this Wednesday at Lahaina Galleries' location in the upper level of The Shops at Wailea.
For more information, call 661-MAUI (6284) or visit lahainagalleries.com.
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"Island Essences" by Koana Smith is featured in the Banyan Tree Gallery of Lahaina Arts Society (LAS) now through Jan. 4. A member of LAS, the Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center, Plein Air Painters of Maui and Plein Air Painters of Hawaii, Koana paints with oils on location throughout Maui. Her art is also on display at The Coffee Store in Napili. Visit and talk art with Koana at a reception in the Historic Old Courthouse in Lahaina on Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, call 661-0111.
