Futuristic Vision of Sustainability: Maui Youth Create a Mural in Summer Art Camp

Art Camp Graduates in front of their mural creation

Facilitated through the Sustainable Living Institute of Maui, youth ranging from ages 8 to 14 explored Native Hawaiian cultural concepts and sustainable living through the design and creation of a new mural depicting ahupua’a with botanical and cultural elements. The art instructors, Matt and Roxy Ortiz are a husband and wife team who were born and raised in Hawai’i and collaborate under the name Wooden Wave. Matt describes the concept of the mural as a futuristic world in which the ahupua’a management system extends into the skies with the use of starships that utilize various resources for energy production. Each starship has a different resource that it collects, and therefore a different functional design. Water, Lightning, Wind, and Solar are all harvested for energy production.

Participants also created individual art portfolios with instructor Malorie Arisumi, exploring sustainability topics including renewable energy, conservation, and a plastic free future.

Arisumi said, “I am thankful that I was able to be a part of this special project, in which we were able to blend sustainability concepts with artistic techniques. It was a pleasure working with everyone, especially the talented keikis.”

To explore more opportunities with the Sustainable Living Institute of Maui, visit SustainableMaui.org or maui.hawaii.edu/edventure/