Maui Hands founder Panna Speas (center) with K-La’n Curley-Rohde (left) and Luis Bertot (right).

by Richelle Tremaine

anna Speas is not an artist but she certainly has the heart and soul of one. Because of her upbringing, she’s always had an appreciation for good art, music, dance and writing.

Speas is the guiding force and vision behind Maui Hands, four galleries scattered across beautiful Maui, featuring the handmade works of Hawaiian artisans.

Inside one of the four Maui Hands locations.

The inspiration to start a gallery came largely due to meeting artists who were very good, but didn’t have the right venue for their work. “It really started with me liking small, beautiful things,” Speas says.

Initially Maui Hands started with 25 artists and a borrowed $2,000, used mostly to cover deposits. When Speas first decided to open a gallery, she forced herself to make five cold calls to artists every night before dinner, asking if they would give her some of their work to carry in her new gallery.

In those days, she had no plan to open more than one gallery. “I’d always been a bookkeeper. I really wanted to do this store. I had to make a go of it, as I wasn’t going to go back. I felt I’d found the best job in the world,” Speas says.

Today, her four galleries house the creations of 300 artisans all hailing from the Hawaiian Islands. The galleries exude a sense of serenity and abundance. Speas consciously works to bring “the energy of the artists into the galleries.”

On the average, prices range from $20 to $400, but some works sell in the low thousands. Most of the items, with the exception of the small pieces under $20, are all consignment.

Speas says people who visit the galleries have an experience with the art and then want to take some of it home. “Life can be kind of difficult, we slide into these ruts, where all of the sudden a year is gone. What these artists do elevates you, your life and it stays with you.”

The original Maui Hands opened in 1992 in the upcountry town of Makawao. Two years later, Maui Hands in Lahaina opened. Every Friday night features a working artist. The Lahaina gallery is 1,000 square feet and for seven consecutive years as been named the highest sales per square foot. In 2000, Maui Hands opened a 1,200 square foot gallery in Paia. And, in 2002, a 900 square foot gallery opened in the Hyatt at Ka’anapali.

Jack Hamilton is a silversmith and oil painter who has worked with Maui Hands since its start.

Speas has a staff of 17 to help with the four galleries. “The secret is the people I work with,” she says. “I’ve just found gems. Many of my employees are really long term and those long-term relationships are really important. We have a lot of fun, too.”

She spends time each week in every gallery. “I like displaying and organizing. I very much appreciate artists and want to make it easier for them. Presenting their work well in my galleries reflects that.”

This past year she has renovated three of the galleries, redone the Web site and completely updated the look. “At this point,” she said, “I’ve learned most of the pitfalls.” She graciously shares her experiences on what works and what doesn’t.

With a joint-venture partner, Speas recently opened — and then closed — one location in California. “I wanted to try a location at Santa Monica, as we have some great artists here (in Hawaii) and they don’t really have a chance to become mainland famous unless they are there. I took about 130 artists’ work along,” she says. “We went under in six months. I didn’t understand that it wasn’t a good shopping district, even though we were near the famous pier.”

Selecting the right match for a business partner is essential, she adds. Running a gallery came naturally for her, but not for her joint-venture partner, despite good business instincts. He just didn’t have an affinity for art. Still, she feels the idea of opening on the mainland is a good idea — but later.

Speas openly shares, “It takes a good year for a business to get started. It just does, even in the best circumstances. Every one I’ve opened I’ve had to eat it for a year. It takes money and devotion.” And, last but not least, instinct.

Christina Seefeldt and Thomas Fistler, of Pratima Design, have worked with Maui Hands for 20 years.

She’s found her instinct for art is really intuitive now. “In the beginning, when I didn’t know what I was doing, I looked more at the artist, looking for devotion, commitment and intent. Now I look more toward talent and beauty and detail.”

Today the artists come to Speas. Word-of-mouth has spread. “I find it works well. They come to me when they’re ready. I’ve got a reputation and they have heard that I give good advice,” she says. Even if she can’t take the work, she’s known throughout the islands for offering advice and suggestions. “It’s painful to look at beautiful work and say I don’t have any more room. I want to say leave it here.”

The glowing reputation of Maui Hands among artists comes down to getting the attention they deserve, she said.

“The place is really hands-on,” says Patrick Hutchison. He and his wife Erica specialize in Raku pottery. “The people who work there are just sweethearts all around. They work with the customer to find what they really want and they’ll call us to help. Panna has a real connection with the artists.”

Christina Seefeldt, who along with her husband Thomas Fistler owns Pratima Design, has been with Maui Hands for 20 years. Pratima Design specializes in high-end jewelry featuring gold and platinum, gemstones and pearls. “I think Panna has created a very special atmosphere. It’s very casual, but still gives the feeling of high quality,” Seefeldt says. “Inside the galleries feel like a family atmosphere. There’s a feeling of home, no high pressure sales, and all of the art is hand-crafted.”

Jack Hamilton, an oil painter and silversmith, who has worked as a self-supporting artist since 1975, adds, “I was one of those people Panna called directly so long ago. Maui Hands is my major gallery for all these years; Panna moves a lot of my work. It’s nice to have someone believe in you.” He says Panna’s like clockwork with computer printouts, inventory and payments.

“She has a special knack for having her artists succeed. She has a knack for editing as well — I can walk in with paintings for the wall and she knows instinctively which ones will work the best. She’s excellent in the way she deals with the artist. She is a very special person and that comes through whether at the gallery, with the artist or with the public.”

One of Hamilton’s favorite quotes mirrors the legacy of Panna Speas’ Maui Hands: “If you follow your dreams, doors will open.”

Speas’ affection for her business and the people she works with is apparent. “I really enjoy interacting with the people, the customers, the employees and the artists.”

Richelle Tremaine is a free-lance writer living in Olathe, Kan.

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