World-renowned Maui artist Philip B. Sabado, formerly of Sabado Art Studios in Wailuku, has a new location. Still in Wailuku, he recently moved into a more spacious location on Market Street called Sabado Galleries, where his commitment to creating art that is historically accurate and expresses the essence of Hawaiian culture continues. His work, depicting his love for the nature and culture of Hawaii, has been commissioned for numerous public and private murals over the years, is in many businesses and hospitals throughout the islands, and is celebrated within the collector community.

A long-time Maui resident, also with a gallery in Wailea, Sabado was born and raised on Molokai where his mother regularly put aside enough money for paint and paper for the fledging artist. After serving in the United States Army, he began studying at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. Sabado furthered his studies at the Art Center College of Design in California, worked in illustration and design, and carved out a successful career as an art director. Selected as one of the top 50 illustrators in the country, Sabado was chosen to attend an art university in Paris.

“I have been blessed with an incredible career,” Sabado said. “Yet, with all that success, home called me back to the islands where I began the next phase of my life within the fine arts. Back on Maui, I became immersed in painting the beauty of the Hawaiian culture and the Hawaiian spirit. As a young child I was absorbed in the local culture around me; however, painting it came later in life. My kumu told me that these things were waiting for me to paint when I was qualified, mentally, spiritually and physically.”

According to Sabado, the space in his new Market Street location will also be used to exhibit the work of other local artists and provide art lessons to children and adults. “We pride ourselves on teaching art students the fundamentals of drawing and painting in a variety of media and on recruiting UH students to work on commissioned murals, with college credits. We provide all of the tools and supplies for their journey into art!”