Lahaina Arts Society will feature the paintings of Marylee "Yobo"?Saka throughout January. Yobo's show, titled "Mana Moments," will exhibit from Jan. 4 through 31 at the Banyan Tree Gallery at the Old Lahaina Courthouse. An opening reception will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 8.
The artist lives and works in Lahaina. Born in Monterey, Calif., of hapa Korean and Irish decent, she spent most of her childhood summers greeting and dancing the hukilau for her auntie at the Kodak Hula Show on Oahu. She shares her imagination by capturing the tropical colors of Hawaii. The islands are the root of her inspiration, transposed in her paintings of landscape, silhouettes, flora and whimsical mermaids.
As in life, Yobo feels art is all about the journey, seizing the opportunities that every moment offers. As early as kindergarten and elementary school, her teachers recognized her artistic talents. As a teenager she was one of the youngest to ever be awarded a summer scholarship to the Art Academy of San Francisco. After high school, Yobo studied at Brooks College of Design before entering the military to obtain a college fund. She continued to draw inspiration during her travels overseas with the U.S. Army before relocating back to the Mainland. She later earned a technical degree in computer graphics, then a bachelor of science in Business from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
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Marylee “Yobo” Sakas will be Lahaina Arts Society’s featured artist during the month of January.
After gifting and donating more than one hundred paintings, murals, pottery and stained glass creations, her husband, Paul, convinced her to finally offer her art to the public. With the support of her family and friends here on Maui she has begun her new creative path.
Yobo stays active with surfing, hula, gardening, paddles for Napili Canoe Club and promotes a sustainable lifestyle.
For details, visit www.lahaina-arts.com.
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Ben Kikuyama will greet the new year - and art enthusiasts - Friday at Lahaina Galleries 828 Front St. location in Lahaina town. In Kikuyama's current work, the Equus series, he uses the framework and imbedded notions of the horse as his main structural element. Combining diverse materials and techniques, the artist presents the subject in captivating, and at times, challenging ways. Although formalist concerns such as line, form and balance play an important part, it is the exploration and revealing of the unexpected that gives this series its provocative edge.
The following week meet "The Twins," Alessio and Bugagiar, appearing Jan. 6 during "WOW"! Wailea on Wednesdays at Lahaina Galleries on the upper level of The Shops at Wailea. The duo creates works in oil painted on koa. Using koa as canvas hearkens back to the artists' European training and their experiences in restoring ancient artifacts.
For details, call 661-6284 or visit lahainagalleries.com
Sargent's Fine Art will host acclaimed New York artist, Mimi Stuart from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Stuart uses her signature style, called "Energy of Subject" to depict dramatic moments by great individuals in sports, dance, music and life. Her subjects include Tiger Woods, Paula Creamer, Albert Einstein, Buzz Aldrin, Amelia Earhart and others.
Meet this artist while enjoying the music of Kurt Lee. The gallery is located at 802 Front St. For details, call 667-4030.
