History of Lahaina Arts Society:

Lahaina Arts Society (LAS) was born from a group of artists who, back in the sixties, created informal art exhibits along the sea wall and in the park next to the Pioneer Inn. In 1965, ten couples donated $50 each to start up this present institution. Among those who formed the new non-profit were Alexandra Morrow, Tim Morrow and Joyce Clark. In 1967, after the post office moved out of the old courthouse, LAS petitioned the government for the use of the space. Fifty Maui residents helped paint and renovate the old post office into gallery space. After this face-lift, the grand opening for LAS’ first gallery was held on March 19, 1969.

Within a few years, LAS was bursting at the seams. In the mid-seventies, George Allan, recently arrived in Lahaina aboard the Carthaginian, led a group of artists to reclaim the former town jail in the basement of the courthouse. They cleaned out the abandoned jail cells creating additional gallery and classroom spaces.

For decades, LAS has promoted the visual arts through special exhibits, children's arts classes and the awarding of scholarships. Macario Pascual was the first recipient of an LAS scholarship. He, along with many other successful Maui artists, began his career with Lahaina Arts Society.  Among those artists are Betty Hay Freeland, Ronaldo Macedo, Andrea Smith, Bruce Turnbull and the much-missed James Warren.

Today, LAS remains the gatekeeper for new artists arriving or launching on Maui . LAS members keep two galleries filled with work, in the Old Lahaina Courthouse. Outdoor Fine Art Fairs continue several days each month under the historic Banyan Tree.  LAS also hosts and co-sponsors the annual Lahaina Poster Contest.  Photo Maui is another yearly LAS event. In 2008, LAS created a charity, Lahaina Arts Association (LAA) to carry on the work of free, weekly children's art classes given at a variety of sites around Maui County, and a yearly High School Art Competition awards partial scholarships to deserving high school seniors.  In 2010, LAA created a third charity program, Hawaiian Youth Mentoring, that is growing under the tutelage of the artists of LAS.

Go to Lahaina Arts Society to learn more about LAS and its schedule of events.

Al Harty - President

Lahaina Arts Society (LAS) is Al Harty's Fine Art home, and he is into his 5th year as President, helping emerging and established Artists, and continuing LAS’ mission of donating time and money to the charity it founded, Lahaina Arts Association (LAA). One of the charities in LAA is the Children’s Art Outreach Program, which has provided free art classes for over 40 years, to well over 150,000 needy and other children of Maui County. Al’s framed pieces and prints are always on display at LAS’ Banyan Tree and Old Jail Galleries, and he and his many Artist friends enjoy their time and successes, every month, at the Banyan Tree Art Fairs. Go to Lahaina Arts Society  to learn more about LAS and its schedule of events.

Links to Fellow LAS Artist Members:

Astro Pup
C3 Submerged
Rob DeCamp
Scott Mead
Zariah
Island Wood Carving
Marjorie Tyler
Joel Heinz
Michael Kollwitz 

Links to Other Affiliations:

D & D Imaging
Plumerias
The Plumeria Society
Maui Digital Imaging
Energy Talk Radio
Facebook/Energy Talk Radio
YouTube/Energy Talk Radio
Lahaina Mystery Series
Private Girl Friday
DiggyPOD