ABOUT SMALL TOWN * BIG ART
AboutSMALL TOWN * BIG ART is a creative placemaking collaboration of the County of Maui + Hale Hō‘ike‘ike at the Bailey House/ Maui Historical Society + Maui Public Art Corps working to develop an arts district that celebrates the distinctive sense of place, history and culture of Wailuku, Hawai‘i. Professional artists are paired with community consultants to co-create visual, performance and experiential public art installations that align with ‘ōlelo from Mary Kawena Pukui’s ‘Ōlelo No‘eau: Hawaiian Proverbs and Poetical Sayings. Through many hands and many voices, these creative interpretations represent a revitalized identity for this small town with the BIGGEST heart. |
Goals
|
Why This MattersPublic art is a distinguishing part of our history and our evolving culture. It reflects and reveals our society, adds meaning to our towns and uniqueness to our communities. Public art humanizes the built environment and invigorates shared spaces. It provides an intersection between past, present and future, between disciplines, and between ideas. Public art is freely accessible. We want people to be asking questions about what they see, sharing stories or impressions with one another, feeling inspired to learn more or to teach others, coming back each time there’s a new experience, and ultimately gleaning the many benefits that this work has to offer! |
ValuesArtistic Excellence Clearly exhibits mastery of skills and techniques, communication of a unique vision, and professional approaches to process and presentation Community Participation Each artwork is co-designed and involves artists bringing their assets to bear on a community-defined need, story or identifying characteristic Deep Listening The process of listening to learn in order to arrive at a design that is indicative of community feedback rather than the artist’s personal response Sense of Place The process and artwork are grounded in the unique character of Wailuku through engagement with the public and ST*BA partners |
ABOUT WAILUKU TOWN: MAUI, HAWAI'I
|
|
Maui County’s downtown Wailuku is the gateway to the enormously significant ʻĪao Valley, with historic plantation-era and art deco architecture framed by the green backdrop of Mauna Kahālāwai. Ancient Hawaiʻi’s center of power and population, Wailuku became a culturally diverse locus of commerce when thousands immigrated from Asia, Europe, and America to work the plantations. With the decline of the sugar industry in the 1960s, Wailuku became blighted. Within the last decade, the town has inched toward revival with a handful of local eateries and an army of creatives inspired to reimagine Wailuku. In 2012, project "reWailuku" began, inviting the community to explore options for public spaces, and capturing the public’s vision for the future of Wailuku. In 2018, the County began implementing a three-phase redevelopment project to rejuvenate the downtown as an arts district concurrent with its new SMALL TOWN * BIG ART initiative.
|
|
ABOUT PUBLIC ART
|
SMALL TOWN * BIG ART PROGRAM TEAM
|
County of Maui Planning & Development Chief Erin Wade, is the project coordinator for the Wailuku Town Improvement Projects. With over 23 years in the planning field, Erin’s focus for Wailuku is to provide a process of inclusive participation in this moment of evolution while offering programs to support its cultural legacy and economic health. “Celebrating the impact that our Maui towns make to our community and economy, and the efforts of the people who make it all possible makes this job truly rewarding.” She holds a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning from Michigan State University and a master’s degree from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
|
|
Public Art Specialist Kelly McHugh-White has 23 years of experience as an arts administrator and advocate for community development programs. A Wailuku-based artist, writer and collaborator specializing in the advancement of arts-based programs that leverage social interaction and strengthen neighborhoods, she has worked with a wide range of artists and organizations including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Brooklyn Arts Council, National Guild for Community Arts Education, Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center and Adaptations Dance Theater. In 2020, she founded Maui Public Art Corps. |
|
Maui Historical Society Executive Director Sissy Lake-Farm traces her family roots back to the Bailey House Museum grounds through Chief Kahekili’s reign. Hula has allowed her to travel the world, and she continues these traditions through her hula school, Hālau Makana Aloha O Ka Lauaʻe. She and her husband, Kyle Ēlama Farm, have educated their three children through Hawaiian language immersion schools, where they continue to be avid supporters. |
SMALL TOWN * BIG ART PROGRAM AREA
SMALL TOWN * BIG ART PROJECT HISTORY
|
|