The Mendocino Art Center has been an integral aspect of the Mendocino community for over 60 years. In addition to drawing many talented artists to the area through gallery events and a coveted Artist in Residence program, the MAC has encouraged Mendocino community members to discover their own inner artist with extensive classes and seminars. The picturesque campus, located in the historic village of Mendocino, is an ideal stop for visitors hoping to dig deeper into the soul of Mendocino.
The MAC opens the doors to its five galleries every day, from 11:00am to 5:00pm. The facility features a wide array of art forms, including painting, photography, printmaking, fiber art, sculpture, pottery, and more. The pleasing climate and beautiful landscapes in Mendocino County are often credited with attracting the large number of artists and makers who call it home. The area’s abundance of natural sources of inspiration combined with this large community of artists provide the MAC with an exciting and distinctive collection of pieces to fill the gallery spaces.
The Mendocino Art Center encourages visitors to explore its beautifully landscaped grounds, which feature indigenous plants and an assortment of sculptures, pottery, and other 3-dimensional pieces. The MAC is situated upon a large campus, comprised of galleries, workshops, studios, and artist-in-residence apartments. Whether you are a first-time visitor or long-time member, you’re certain to find something to rouse your creative spirit.
The MAC doesn’t stop at simply stirring up your creativity, it’s dedicated to cultivating and elevating its visitors’ own artistic abilities, as well as providing artists with spaces to come together to create. Classes range from one-time sessions to months-long seminars. Studios, dedicated to jewelry-making, clay-throwing, painting and more are available for one-time or on-going rental at very reasonable rates.
Figure drawing sessions are offered weekly. They provide both novice and established artists with a nude model, ample space to hone their skills, and the company of other artists with a shared interest. Likewise, weekly watercolor sessions and jewelry-making open studios are offered year-round. The MAC has fostered a supportive environment for artists and makers, while maintaining high-quality spaces for them to work.
Fear not, if you can’t envision yourself as even a novice artist, the Mendocino Art Center has something fun for anyone! One local favorite is the Pour Painting Party, where participants learn how to paint without brushes. (Think angles and gravity meet liquid color.) It’s a night of experimentation and fun – participants are provided with all the necessary materials and welcomed to bring along a bottle of wine for some extra encouragement. It’s impossible to do this technique “wrong,” so you’re guaranteed to leave with a new skill and the artwork to prove it.
Lastly, if you’re lucky enough to be in the area for the second Saturday of the month, be sure to take advantage of the Mendocino Art Center’s free Gallery Reception, where the gallery doors are open to the public, wine and nibbles are on the house, and the center’s artists are available for a chat!
Great for a Rainy Day
45200 Little Lake Street, Mendocino, CA 95460
(707) 937-5818
www.mendocinoartcenter.org