The recent “Artists for Lahaina” art auction raised $513,915 for the Maui Pono Foundation, an organization founded by Lahaina families to help their many displaced neighbors recover after the fire (all proceeds went to this organization). In addition to funding direct relief, the Maui Pono Foundation has generously committed to support efforts to enable artists in West Maui to play a key role in restoring the community they love.
At one point, the site crashed because so many bidders were online at once, but it was soon up and accepting bids again.
The auction was organized by artists Kathleen Hudson, Heather Burton Santillanes, John Burton, and Lisa Camilla Hale. “Lahaina and Maui have a spot in my heart forever,” said Santillanes. “I am deeply humbled by the incredible generosity that everyone has shown. Thank you to everyone who is supporting this auction. I am so very grateful.”
From the Artists for Lahaina Facebook page:
“YOU DID IT!!! 800 artists and their collectors raised half a million for Maui.
Mahalo to all who participated or boosted the auction. This one’s for Lahaina.”
On Friday, September 22, a live five-hour Streamathon ran (watch the replay), during which we heard from Maui artists, musicians, nonprofit leaders, and Lahaina residents in this event hosted by John Burton, Kathleen Hudson, Heather Burton Santillanes, and Eric Rhoads of Streamline Publishing. They welcomed Maui visual artists Ronaldo Macedo, Macario Pascual, Darice Machel McGuire, Koana Smith, and Michael Clements, and had special appearances from mainland artists who have paintings in the auction, including Matt Smith, Skip Whitcomb, Josh Elliott, Lori Putnam, Aimee Erickson, Randall Sexton, and more. Registration was free and viewers received generous giveaways from sponsor organizations.
Donations can still be made at www.artistsforlahaina.com/give.
View more fine art auctions and sales here at FineArtConnoisseur.com.
