Want to marvel over a masterfully turned Norfolk Island pine wooden bowl? How about a cardboard vessel full of contortions and multiple textures?

These and dozens of other vessels, paintings, sculptures, photographs, jewelry and more will be on display today through April 30 as part of the 39th annual Art Maui exhibition at the Schaefer International Gallery in Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului.

Presented by the Art Maui board of directors, the exhibition has grown into one of the most prestigious juried shows in the state of Hawaii since its inception in 1979. Besides the above-mentioned media, Art Maui will also include a broad range of new works by Maui artists from video to ceramics to quilting.

This year’s juror is Sally French, owner of Double Dog Dare Studio on Kauai, who flew to Maui last weekend to judge the show. French made selections from 516 pieces submitted by 326 artists brought in on what is called Receiving Day.

“The majority of the work submitted was all very high caliber,” says French. “The work that was juried in wasn’t based on the artists’ competency. Within each genre, I chose what was the strongest — what I responded to.”

“The show has to flow,” she continues. “There are some pieces I would have chosen for my own collection, but as the show became evident, they went out. There are quite a few pieces that will be excellent additions to other shows, but they just weren’t suited for this one.”

So French whittled down the initial pieces submitted to 116 works by 102 artists. That means that 400 pieces were cut and 224 artists were eliminated from displaying their work.

“I had to check the list four times to make sure my name was not there,” says Jim Powlan, artist, sculptor and Art Maui board member.

“I knew that the sculpture of wood and copper I submitted was a strong piece and that there is no one on Maui who is doing anything similar in style or materials. I moped around the house for the morning and then played golf with the collector who had just purchased the piece that was not selected. Even though I have work that has been selected for Art Maui five times, it is still a punch in the gut when it is not. But, hey, that is the life of an artist, and then you move on.”

Powlan isn’t the only successful Maui artist to have been cut over the years. They must come to pick up their work on Give Back Day and many have their heads hung down in despondence over the news of the rejection.

“The surviving pieces all have a flow to the work and convey motion,” explains French. “They all share an attribute of mobility and there is a life beyond the work. Whether conceptual or practical, there is something moving throughout the entire show.”

Of this year’s accepted artists, many recognizable names and repeat Art Maui submitters have made it into the show along with numerous unknowns and first-timers.

Acclaimed artists with work chosen for this year’s Art Maui exhibit include Eddie Flotte, who intrigues with the “The Footprints of a Ghost” painting; Tim Garcia impresses with a polished “Secret Muse” sculpture; and Will Hererra amuses with his “Pressed For Time.” Geez, could that be Shep Gordon’s profile on the bottom on the iron? NOT!

Neida Bangerter, Schaefer International Gallery director, delights with her “Missionary, Mynah, Mongoose” painting. Tony Novak-Clifford draws you into the ocean with his “At Water’s Edge #1” photograph. Charlene Yoshizu makes you think a little or a lot with her “Lotus Pod.” Audrey Quinn compels you to want to wear her “Hangin’ Around” jewelry.

The list goes on and on. It’s a big fine-art smorgasbord of fresh ideas, colors, textures and media.

“I found that throughout the show, there is such a freedom of color,” says French.

“It is unbridled color, not representative of the water, land or plants — the use of color has moved beyond relating just to the island.”

French also selected three Maui scholarship winners on Receiving Day.

Basically, three students will get $2,000 awards each and one gets a $1,000 honorable mention as part of Art Maui’s annual High School Scholarship Awards Program.

The winners were Jessica Kingwell of Maui Preparatory Academy and Chais Pascua and Layce Yamaguchi, both of Baldwin High School. The honorable mention went to Alyssa Fusato of King Kekaulike High School. The scholarships were designed to assist students to pursue further art education.

This year’s featured image, “Heart of Maui” by Kari Von Wening, is the Publicity Artist Award Winner selected by the Art Maui board from the 2016 exhibition. It is the cover of the poster image.

Months in the making, Art Maui takes a ton of work by dozens of individuals.

“The preparation last week has been all-consuming,” says Art Maui board member Rose Potter.

“Because of schedule limitations, we completed receiving, selection and give-back within 48 hours. The days have been long, but I found inspiration in every artist that submitted their work, Sally’s vision in creating this year’s show, and in all the efforts of our board members and volunteers. It goes far beyond the pieces that were chosen, we each have contributed to a fantastic show.”

The Art Maui exhibit opens today and runs daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through April 30, as well as prior to and during the intermissions at Castle Theater shows. Admission to the Art Maui exhibit is free and open to the public.

For more information, you may visit www.artmaui.com or www.mauiarts.org.