FLOCKworks

DREAM TIME... Exhibit Opening January 14

2012-01-04T22:32:00.000-08:00

It is time to dream towards our future...

Eighty masks, a handcrafted wooden boat, a playful dog house, and delicate mobiles of found elements are just the beginning in DREAM TIME. The 1st exhibit for 2012 in the Open Door Art series, DREAM TIME is a whimsical, artful exhibit aimed to stir wonder, fun and hope as we look to the challenges of the future.

DREAM TIME opens 2nd Saturday, January 14th at Odd Fellows in Mendocino Village; special Family Day on Sunday, January 15th honors the Dreams of Martin Luther King, Jr. This special exhibit is just open three weekends through January 29th.

Masks throughout are creations of middle School students of Mendocino K-8 under art teacher Mark Oatney. A beautiful handcrafted wooden boat comes from the Traditional Small Craft Association, Noyo Harbor. A whimsical dog house combines building efforts of Shelter Cove students from Ft. Bragg with the painter's imagination of Nancy Jung. Nicolas Kozak explores balance and form in a series of hanging mobiles and stunning wall pieces. Ceramic vessels, painted violins, evocative paintings, drawings and much more round out this eclectic mix and the creativity Sand Box will be open for everyone's hands-on play.

This FLOCKworks-led exhibit, DREAM TIME, is curated by Janet Self with Mimi Blok and has many well-known locals artists plus an array of creative talents ranging from age 5 to 95. Community is invited to come explore, enjoy and dream of the possibilities!

Open Door Arts @ OddFellows is located at the corner of Kasten & Ukiah Streets in Mendocino Village; gallery will be open weekends only 10-5. More info: 937-2486.

Photographer Nicholas Wilson and Friends!

2011-12-08T16:50:00.000-08:00

A unique exhibit of local art opens Second Saturday, December 10th.  Central to the exhibit is a celebration of
Photographer Nicholas Wilson's 40 years as a documentary and fine art photographer.
Joining Wilson are a diverse group of special long-time friends:

painters Robert Ross and Eduardo Smissen show amazing paintings and prints,
graphic artist John Chamberlin with his unique posters & sign art ,
zany sculptor and multimedia artist Larry Fuente will have something new and surprising as well as vintage pieces,
ceramicist Christopher Cisper will have skillfully made pottery, ceramic sculptures and drums and
multimedia artist Molly Boynoff will have work in textiles, paper and other media

The Full Moon party starts at 5 pm and continues until it's over, with live music and slide show.
The show runs from Dec. 10 through Dec. 26 from 11 AM to 5 PM most days. Evening hours and more slide shows are planned for Saturday Dec. 17. While the show is running you can also call Odd Fellows Hall at 937-2486. Odd Fellows Hall is located at the corner of Kasten and Ukiah Sts. in Mendocino, California.

Web links: 
Nicholas Wilson: www.nwilsonphoto.com 
Robert Ross website:  www.robertrossstudio.com 
Eduardo Smissen:   www.eduardosmissen.com 
Larry Fuente:  www.google.com search "Larry Fuente"  (put it in quotes) There's a lot!
Christopher Cisper: www.christophercisper.com 
Molly Boynoff (photo): http://www.flickr.com/photos/nwilsonphoto/4749834433/
John Chamberlin is virtually invisible in cyberspace,yet well known locally.

Soccer, ART & Kids...

2011-11-10T20:29:00.000-08:00

FLOCKworks' Childrens Banner project took to the Soccer fields, creating 22 kid-made banners on opening day play for the Soccer Season. Once they were done, Banners covered the chain link fence surrounding the playing fields each Saturday. With kids, coaches, and families helping, the Banners added to the celebration of 350 children plus their families spending the day out on the fields playing soccer. Another bonus: businesses sponsors are featured on the Banners, adding to the community recognition of this important support. Each weekend, Banners create a celebrate kids involved in athletics and they raise awareness of the important role of soccer in the community. Mendocino Coast Youth Soccer also got special help this year from the Mendocino Coast Children's Fund to reach families needing financial help for their kids to play.

HANDS ON...Get Creative with kids

2011-11-10T19:35:00.000-08:00

Bringing Art into the Classroom adds to the creative learning of children; it is also brings energy and support for teachers committed to diverse learning strategies. Last year, we dived in to work in several schools: Albion School, one of a handful of "one-room Schools" statewide, k-3 with one teacher, Redwood School with k-2 program and 450 children and the AVID program with 27 high achieving 7th graders at Ft Bragg Middle. I took along interested artist friends to join in the fun. The overall aim was to learn what it really took to begin developing a broader community program.

This year, the focus aims to both reach more kids, teachers and classrooms AND draw in community artist with time, talent and interest. By fostering ties between community volunteer artists and teachers, the program will organically create opportunities for more hands-on art in classrooms. Backup community artists and teachers with great ideas, materials, equipment and other support, and classroom art will find new ways to expand.

GODDESS INSPIRED...Work by janet Self

2011-11-10T18:17:00.001-08:00

A three day mini-exhibit called GODDESS INSPIRED... celebrates the Female form as part of the Mendocino Goddess Festival. Self's Figurative work explores the flow and energy of the human body in vivid colors and playful lines, sketches, large scale banners, paintings, cut outs, clay and more. The Exhibit also features several hands on dimensions... OCCUPY Vision, and the "I AM..." project.

The Exhibit happens November 11-13, Friday thru Saturday 10-5 at the FLOCKworks Studio, next to OddFellows corner of Kasten & Ukiah Streets in Mendocino; OUR Saturday GODDESS GATHERING 4-8pm will include a LIVE MODEL for sketching, Sand Tray Collage, food, wine & more...

2nd SATURDAY OPENING Parties... ART EXPLORERS next Door at Odd Fellows, FORD HOUSE hosts Nature Photos with mushroom & wine event. Art Cooperative of Mendocino on Main St celebrates the DIVINE FEMININE and the Mendocino Art Center also hosts a special focus on the GODDESS...

HANDS TO THE FUTURE...Children's Art Installation

2011-10-14T20:04:00.000-07:00

"Hands to the Future"... is a unique installation that includes 1,037 hands made by over 500 children from 10 schools on the Mendocino Coast. Beginning from the earliest roots of human art making on cave walls, each child traced their hand and created a unique design in the space of their hand. These cut-out hands go up the stairway and into the main upstairs gallery of the Odd Fellows hall, reach up to the arched ceiling, swarm over one main wall and surround another installation called the WEB of Remembrance. As a whole the hands convey the lively creativity of our children; individually, each hand is a small work of art. The installation aims to remind that the future belongs in the hands of our children and will need their creative spirit to face the challenges ahead.

Hands to the Future is part of FLOCKworks Open Door Arts project at Odd Fellows in Mendocino Village. The current exhibit, SOULFUL REMEMBERING, overall includes the work of nearly 700 people from Treasure Boxes of Remembrance, Story Quilts, Assemblage work, and other array of unique art by local artists; several hands-on-art elements draw the visitor right into the process. Day of the Dead is celebrated with a special installation of colorful Altars and includes a learning space about the traditions and symbols for the Day of the Dead. The exhibit runs through November 1 and is a part of the Mendocino Coast Day of the Dead celebration.

Community Remembering...

2011-09-19T11:58:00.000-07:00

October @OddFellows in Mendocino Village hosts an unique exhibit about the power of community remembering. Combining beautiful local art with hands-on interactive elements, Children's Hands-to-the-Future installation, Dance performance, workshops and community-made "Remembrance Boxes", visitors will be drawn into an experience of deep remembering.

Rita Crane's photograph of the 2008 Triple Conjunction over Ukiah Street captures the heart of this art exhibit. Says Crane, "It was a magical December evening when this rare line up of three celestial bodies occurred. Venus, Jupiter, and the crescent Moon were visible, clustered up closer than they had been since the 1940’s. Because of freezing cold weather, no one was out and a friend and I were absolutely alone taking pictures in town, cozily bundled up, enjoying the beauty of the night sky.

Whatever happens on planet Earth, the solar system continues its ancient rhythms and cycles. We have a chance every single second of every single day to align ourselves with the universal harmony that exists. That internal harmony begins with every conscious breath we take."

SOULFUL REMEMBERING is a unique community tapestry... And light spilling forth from Odd Fellows reflects the gathering of energies involved in this not-to-be-missed experience.

REMEMBRANCE...Treasure Boxes

2011-08-23T11:42:00.001-07:00

Transform a simple box into a powerful memory of someone or something special to you. Then share it as part of a community installation SOULFUL REMEMBRANCE exhibit October at historic Odd Fellows in Mendocino.

Cigar boxes of all kinds are available at Racine's in Ft. Bragg, and the Little River Inn; FLOCKworks studio, next door to Odd Fellows, (open 10 to 4 Thurs & Fri) is also hosting boxes. $5 donation per box helps make this project possible.

This example "CAROL ON WINGS" was created by Kele Self. In remembrance of an Aunt who died when she was very young, Kele asked family members for ideas and memories that she incorporated into the piece. Each box becomes a unique work of artful remembering. If you'd like to participate, email us at flockworks1@gmail.com and we'll send you more details.

Open Studio Tour Exhibit @ Odd Fellows

2011-08-09T17:54:00.000-07:00

August 11 - October 2, 11 am - 5 pm daily
Opening Reception: August 13, 5 pm to 8 pm · Free
Odd Fellows Hall, Corner of Ukiah & Kasten Streets, Mendocino

In conjunction with the Mendocino Art Center's Artists Open Studio Tour and the North Coast Artists' Guild's Studio Discovery Tour, 75 of the participating artists will show their artwork in the Open Studio Tour exhibit, August 11 through October 2, at Odd Fellows Hall in Mendocino.

Artwork includes fused and stained glass; encaustics; printmaking; concrete, metal, wood and marble sculpture; jewelry; furniture; photography; fiber arts; woodblock prints; collage; ceramics; and paintings in oil, watercolor, acrylic and pastel.

Mendocino Art Center's

Artists Open Studio Tour

September 17-18 & 24-25, 10 am - 5 pm

more information, features on participating artists and tour maps

North Coast Artists' Guild

19th Annual Studio Discovery Tour

September 3-5 & 10-11, 10 am - 5 pm

more information features on participating artists and tour maps

OPEN COMUNITY ART PROJECT: TREASURE BOXES OF REMEMBRANCE

2011-08-05T15:25:00.000-07:00

Honoring important memories is at the heart of the “Treasure Boxes of Remembrance” project kicking off this month. Hundreds of wooden cigar boxes are available to be transformed into a shrine, alter or memory box. Boxes will be shared in a community Remembrance installation during the October Exhibit at Odd Fellows; they can also be part of the Day of the Dead weekend in Fort Bragg. This Treasure Box, "FLY AWAY..." is by Inga Peterson

Boxes are available at Racine’s in Ft Bragg, and historic Odd Fellows in Mendocino; $5 contribution per box is requested.

Last year, about 150 boxes went out and over 65 Treasure Boxes became part of community “Remembrance” celebrations. Says organizer Self "We were amazed by the interest and even more, by the beautiful and personal Boxes people created and shared. Some were extraordinarily moving; they let someone come to grips with recent loss of a loved ones. Others created real family treasures, incorporating “heirlooms”, special photos and more, while other boxes were simply charming or playful memories. A set of beautiful Art Boxes that honored the exhibit’s theme were available for sale; most were very personal keepsakes. All in all, this Treasure box installation created a compelling experience for visitors and was a beautiful expression of our community.”
The Treasure Boxes of Remembrance will be a part of the SOULFUL REMEMBRANCE Exhibit, October Open Door Arts @ Odd Fellows and will be part of the Day of the Dead weekend at the end of October in Ft Bragg.

email FLOCKworks1@gmail.com or join us on facebook.

BACK TO SCHOOl... 20 ft up!

2011-05-25T16:01:00.000-07:00

Go Back to School in celebrating Art in Schools along with artist Janet Self!

A 90 ft Mural created with the children of Redwood School will be unveiled Thursday May 26th the School's OPEN HOUSE (324 S. Lincoln Street next door to the CV Starr Center). Visitors are welcome at the Book Fair (4-8), classrooms will be open 6 to 7 and at 7:15, a brief Mural presentation will take place. Self will be on hand throughout to share about the creation of this mural process, including photos of the process, Art Cards and DVD.

“BUILDING BLOCKS OF LIFE” MURAL was created with 450 children, age 5 to 8, in a group art process led by Artist Janet Self to make a lasting "gift" for their school. The result is a multi-panel installation that encompass 450 square feet of canvas with vivid imagery in acrylic colors, applied with things like blocks, stamps, q-tips, toys, rollers, leaves, fruits, and vegetables. It is explores learning, from basics of line, shape and color to discover the world-at- large and our place in it. The Mural was made possible with a grant from the AD Abramson Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation of Mendocino County and is a project of FLOCKworks, a nonprofit supporting the creative spirit of community.

Last year, Self undertook a Train Car Mural for the Skunk Train's 125th Anniversary, Cachement Water Tank Mural for Noyo Food Forest's EarthDay and another Redwood School mural now hangs at the CV Starr Center with a second Panel on Exhibit at Odd Fellows in Mendocino through the end of May. This is part of FLOCKworks' Children's Banner working with schools, organizations and community groups and adding children created banners to local events and activities. "Art of Learning" is a FLOCKworks' exhibit reflecting this spirit of community creativity and can be seen at Odd Fellows in Mendocino through the end of May.

GIVE ME ART... Lively & diverse...

2011-05-18T12:27:00.000-07:00

Open-Door-Arts @ Odd Fellows has been an amazing four year run of diverse and lively local arts exhibits! With this magnificent loaned space, over 1,800 adults and children have shown work with about 12,000 visitors each year!

Just opened...Art of Learning...A Celebration of Creativity is the 55th exhibit in this series that highlights life-long creative learning. With art-makers from age 5 to 92 years old, an underlying focus honors "teachers of the arts" who pass along their creative intent. The show runs through the Memorial Weekend. Over 600 people have been in to this special exhibit. "It makes me feel like dancing" was one visitor's comment.

Next... Mendocino Film Festival (June 3-5) will headquarter at Odd Fellows...Starting May 28th, you can buy tickets at FLOCKworks studio and then find center of fun events during the Festival itself! Great line-up of films and events... http://www.mendocinofilmfestival.org

In June... A benefit Art & Silent Auction Ganbare Otsuchi / Persevere Otsuchi will be hosted here @ Odd Fellows. Otsuchi, Japan is Ft. Bragg's Sister City; it was swept away in the March Tsunami and provided the most vivid images of this disaster. This special exhibit brings creative arts to positively respond to this tragedy. Wanna help?

Contribute ART...Contribute BOWLS...for 500 RICE BOWL installation & sale...
Provide a service, opportunity or special item for Silent Auction
VOLUNTEER for special events on June 11th and July 3rd.
Come in and buy something... from cards, t-shirts, glass straws and other simple arts, wonderful auction items and beautiful works by great local artists ... Choose one of 500 RICE BOWLS that will be filled on special July 3rd event.

May 26th Mural Unveiling of Building Blocks of Life, created with 450 children (k-2) of Redwood School in Ft Bragg! Come back to school for Open House and help me celebrate installation of 450 square feet of canvas mural done this year with support of the AD Abramson Fund for Visual Arts at the Community Foundation of Mendocino County. This amazing School is located at 324 S. Lincoln Street, next to the CV Starr Center. Open House 5-8pm...

FLOCKworks supports the creative spirit of community... more important than ever in these challenging times! We are all part of the creative heart beat of Mendocino County!

Celebration of Creativity!

2011-04-13T18:36:00.001-07:00

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." Pablo Picasso

Step beyond the typical art exhibit to celebrate life long learning in the arts with creative work by artists 5 to 85 years old! This lively exhibit includes  photography,  life  drawing,  graphic design, portraits,  painting,  art quilts,   basketry,  collage,  sculpture  and  more. . .plus  poetry,   writing,  and  interactive  installations. 

All of us have a creative spark; those who reach out to cultivate and support this in others are to be honored. This exhibit brings together a diverse set of work to explore "art learning", with Teacher/Artists who share their talents at the heart of this special celebration.

Opening Artist reception is May 14th... 3 to 5pm is especially for families, 5 to 8pm with wine & edibles. Backroom Studio is on-going through the exhibit offering the chance to "stick a hand into art"... Day of the Word on May 21 will include poetry workshop and readings. Exhibit runs through Memorial Weekend. Historic Odd Fellows is at the corner of Kasten & Ukiah Streets in Mendocino Village, one block up from Main Street. For More Information: 937-2486.

ART FROM BEYOND...April Exhibit

2011-04-07T08:47:00.000-07:00

A rich and lively show by 15 artists from inland Mendocino County features assemblage, painting, ceramics, painted furniture, sculpture, photography and more is now at Open-Door-Arts @ Odd Fellows.

Susan Spencer organized this unique show even as she opened a new venture, The Beat Gallery in Ukiah.

Opening party is April 9th from 5-8pm. The exhibit is open daily except Tuesday from 11 to 5.

Whales in the Air...

2011-03-24T07:48:00.001-07:00

Every year the Whale Migration draws thousands of visitors to the Mendocino Coast. March weather can be anything-- warm and sunny or pounding rain and hail, like today, and everything in between. Whatever the weather, community Whale Festival events provide opportunities for many activities inside and out. ART is always a wonderful part of a Mendocino visit, and the exhibit hosted by the Plein Air Painters of Mendocino is not to be missed! With work by 15 artists, the paintings and pastels take you to some of the most beautiful spots along the Coast and inland. These intrepid painters hike out with easels and supplies to capture these special vistas. Weekly, the group gathers "en plein air" together and each one captures the scene in their own special style and vision. Together, the group reveals special view of life on our Coast . The exhibit is open weekends through March 27 at historic Odd Fellows in Mendocino Village (corner of Kasten and Ukiah Streets). Hosted by the artists, take time to chat with the painters: they will share the love of this special art and perhaps, reveal stories of their adventures to capture that perfect scene.

SPACE & PLACE.. ART by Residency

2011-02-21T09:02:00.000-08:00

Space and place are vital to art making...

The newest exhibit in the OPEN-DOOR-ARTS @ OddFellows' project begins with this premise. The diverse worked featured was created by Artists from far and near who are right now in working residency at the Mendocino Art Center.

Cast bronze sculpture, found sculpture, uniquely textured pots and other ceramics, blacksmith work, hand-crafted knives, dramatic paintings, and much, much more... Even an imaginative ceramic that seems to have melted in the fireplace...Fifteen artists who have found their way to here and now, to this place on the cliffs of the Mendocino headlands. It is all reflected in the work on display in the Coastal Expressions exhibit open 10-6, Thursday to Sunday through February 27th.

Closing weekend celebration includes the Nashville sounds of the Rose Knight Band on Saturday February 26th, brought together by Mendocino Stories. A special acoustic evening of music and dance celebrates the amazing creative spirit that resides here on the Mendocino Coast and finds its way into arts and hearts of all kinds! A Silent Art Auction begins at noon and the music party gets underway 6 til 10pm. Historic Odd Fellows hall is located at the corner of Kasten & Ukiah Streets, one block up from Main St. 937-2486

Whole from the Parts... A Learning Story

2011-02-14T09:49:00.000-08:00

Redwood Mural is well on its way... stretching further than originally envisioned and promising to vividly fill Redwood Elementary School's MP Room. 90 ft x 5ft of canvas was used... 450 children (K to 2nd) set the patterned imagery of BUILDING BLOCKS OF LIFE, telling the "story of learning"... from simple shapes & basic colors to the complexities of relationships, nature, and the world-at-large. Initial results from 6 intense on-campus days of painting include 8 large and lively panels plus other special elements. Small groups, smocked for action, came in and intensely set to work... first drawing themselves and then undertaking a special painting task... with fun and story telling all along... Veteran Teacher Keith Wyner, popped in and out taking photos; plan for a DVD Slide Show. Already, Kathy Carl is seeing potential imagery for the ART CARD series.

NOW...Canvases are stretched out on the tarp covered floor of a commercial space in Ft Bragg. ...Franklin Street, next to the Post Office... The space is loaned with kind help of local Realtors & property owners. "My Grandchildren went to Redwood" says Barbara Clark, Century 21, who will cover utilities for Phase 2. Now it is my turn to move paintings to the final stage... Heightened color and density of pattern, accentuate flow, connectivity and relationship, and added details that bring a cohesive wholeness to the work. And carefully drop in WORDS that add to the "learning" story embedded in the piece.

On my hands & knees, I dive into each panel and lose myself in time, colors and patterns. I drag pans of colors and implements across the surface... Interesting to pattern with a lemon, adding "sunshine" and light to the Garden. Parsley adds a delicate feel and I love marks made by corn. Fun to play with a Popsicle stick, making "curved from straight", repeating lines radiating from other elements... Printing with leaves is always satisfying. I use techniques employed with the children. The approach is free flowing, yet careful to honor the children's work, and remember each group's activity that created the imagery I touch. My aim is to bring it all together and make the WHOLE work together from all the marvelous pieces.

I am honored to be granted this amazing opportunity. "My Pattern" seems to be ...dream big, get things going, wonder how I got here and HOW to actually do this... and then... get completely carried away with the fun, excitement and challenge of making it all work! Thanks to the Community Foundation of Mendocino County for support of the AD ABRAMSON Grant that made this project take off! Thanks to the daring and imaginative leadership at Redwood Elementary, beginning with Principal Mary K. Champagne and Kindergarten Teacher Susan Joyer and by parents, teachers and staff ready to help make it happen! And special appreciation for the children who came in focused, enthusiastic and ready to dive in. They listened, shared, worked and had fun! It was pleasure working with each and every child!

CREATIVITY IN SOUND... Not to be missed!

2011-02-05T12:31:00.001-08:00

Creative spirits will soar as ERIC & SUZY THOMPSON take the stage of Little River Inn Music Series...Friday February 11th 7:30... The evening will benefit collaborative projects between FLOCKworks & Mendocino Coast Children's Fund. It also reflects FLOCKworks support for arts and creativity of all kinds...Tickets are $15 and available at Tangents in Ft Bragg, Out-of-This-World in Mendocino and at the Little River Inn.

Eric & Suzy's music is a unique acoustic blend of Cajun, bluegrass, country blues, old time, and much more...It will lift, inspire, tickle and get toes tapping! Their musical roots go very, very deep as Eric & Suzy give voice to the creative spirit at its best!

Mendocino is also "a second musical home" for Suzy & Eric--with many local friends & fans; MENDOCINO FILM FESTIVAL recently featured an ART Film with them and loved having them play live at the screening. This week, Suzy & Eric are here doing a mini-music camp with some budding local musicians. Called "Old Growth", this trio of players began music later-in-life (50 plus), meeting at LARK CAMP and the California Bluegrass Camp; they now host a regular jam, and have ventured out to open-mike at Caspar Community Center Pub Night. Eric & Suzy will help them learn glorious harmonies, fiddle up a storm and add hot guitar licks into their musical efforts.

All in all, this special evening will fan the creative spirit in all of us...Whether singing, playing, painting, sculpture, quilting, cooking or gardening, we believe that the magic of the ARTS comes from jumping in and letting your heart sing! Come join us!

Many Hands...Redwood Mural Project!

2011-01-29T15:19:00.000-08:00

Redwood School in Ft Bragg is always lively with 450 children from kindergarten to second grade, but this week also includes 80 feet of canvas, a rainbow of acrylic paint, markers, salvaged shapes, odd materials, fruits and vegetables. With support of the AD Abramson Grant for Public Art through the Community Foundation of Mendocino County, this ambitious project will involve all 450 children in creating a permanent mural installation for the school’s Multi-purpose Cafeteria.

BUILDING BLOCKS OF LIFE is the theme, exploring a child’s learning from basic shapes like circles and triangles, to complex rhythms of earth, sea and sky and people’s relations to the world-at-large. The garden is “painted” with real fruits and vegetables; leaves, stamps, shells, string, toys, q-tips and other unusual elements help create the mural's story of life and learning!

Small groups of children come in a classroom transformed into an artist’s studio; they spend 20 minutes working with patterns, colors and shapes. Denise Vicars, Parent Club President, organized parent helpers who escort children in, get smocks on, stand back as kids paint and then get everyone clean and back to class. After two weeks on campus, Self will evolve the work laid down with the kids into the completed Mural installation.

Says Artist Janet Self, “The children come in focused, ready to jump right! We aren’t painting in familiar ways; instead of brushes, the mural’s garden is "planted” using carrots, apples or cabbages and a forest is made with leaves, branches or straws. Images are vivid and fun to see what these things “make”! “ Keith Wyner, a 35 year veteran teacher and avid photographer, pops in to photograph children-in-action for a project book; printed ART CARDS will add support for the school’s creative work.

FLOCKworks' brings creativity to schools, events and partners with many different groups in the community. This project captures all that: a Community Foundation grant, great school support, wonderful parents and creative fun with the kids. It celebrates life and learning in a great way!. The project is expected to be complete by March.

Garden, Community & ART Celebrated!

2011-01-23T09:16:00.000-08:00

Stone Soup Community Garden of Safe Passage Family Resource Center in Fort Bragg is celebrated today, January 23rd! The Garden was created with the support of Noyo Food Forest and the Mendocino Coast Children's Fund. It is a learning garden for the families involved with Safe Passage.

A family lively event brings together music, dancing, soup tasting, garden talk and art; it is also an INTERCAMBIO, a language and cultural exchange between Spanish & English speakers. It weaves important strands of our community together into a unique, and beautiful blend.

FLOCKworks Banners come to play...trying out some fun ideas for "paint tools"...an assortment of fruits, vegetables and plant stuff plus basic shapes like circles, triangle, rectangles, from recycled elements. We'll also play with Spanish and English "food and garden" words into the mix.

This art making will capture something of the day, recalling to those who were here the fun of the day and reflecting the collective energy that makes Safe Passage successful. The resulting banners will become part of the "decorative stock" of Safe Passage, installed in the garden, on fences and inside working spaces of the program.

FLOCKworks adds this unique "art play" as part of our collaborative commitment to community. Laura Welter, Executive for Safe Passage, asked "Can you come and how much will it cost?" FLOCKworks "Surprise YES!"...means we bring it all...materials, experience, ideas and leadership....because we support this important thing you add to our community! No chasing funds, or finding the budget. "Yes, we would love to be there to help!". And thank you for including us!

Eric & Suzy Thompson bring their unique music to Little River Inn

2011-01-19T11:00:00.000-08:00

FEBRUARY 11, 7:30pm Concert... Get ready for a great evening of music with Eric and Suzy Thompson & their unique acoustic blend of Cajun, blue grass, old time, blues and...more.

Eric & Suzy play old weird music from the American South, at the intersection of Cajun, country blues and Appalachian – warped fiddle tunes in odd tunings, cinematic ballads, hot flatpicking on guitar and mandolin, prewar blues songs, Cajun dance, and the occasional kalamatiano. They use all sorts of instruments – fiddle, guitar and mandolin, plus 10-stringed cuatro from Puerto Rico and the one-row Cajun button accordion. Eric’s new CD, Kleptograss, is a multi-cultural romp with all-stars Jody Stecher and Scott Nygaard. Suzy’s latest is a duet CD with resonator guitar and uke goddess Del Rey; Suzy was featured on “Geoff Muldaur & the Texas Sheiks”. Other bands include: California Cajun Orchestra, Bluegrass Intentions, Todalo Shakers, Blue Flame String Band, Any Old Time (Suzy) and Black Mountain Boys (Eric.),

Eric and Suzy performed live at the Mendocino Film Festival '09 and have many great friends & fans on the Mendocino Coast.

Little River Inn will host this musical event in the Abalone Room, Friday February 11th @ 7:30 pm. TICKETS are $15 and are available at Out of this World in Mendocino & Tangents, Fort Bragg or by calling the Little River Inn, 937-5942.

This special evening is bought to you by FLOCKworks OPEN-DOOR-ARTS and will benefit our Collaboration projects with Mendocino Coast Children’s Fund .

Creative Threads of a New Year!

2011-01-05T19:18:00.000-08:00

First week of this creative new year...

Art with kids for the New Years Eve celebration at CV STARR Center--making masks, cards, fuzzy Buddies, and more as others swim, dance and play around.
Studio Day finishing my woven paintings for the COLOR & LIGHT: A Fiber Arts exhibit, 2011 Odd Fellows series.
ART afternoon with children at Albion School (k-3) making a very creative village for our ART BUDDIES, (under a GASP grant, Arts Council of Mendocino County).
Firm plans with Annelle Karlstad, Mendocino Yarn Shop and Pamela W. Allen, an amazing knitter /designer, organizing COLOR & LIGHT focused on knitting, crocheting and more.
Join Advisory team for "THE ART SPACE for Youth & Community", a project of Big Brothers & Big Sisters with support from the Mendocino Coast Writers Conference, artist Meg Courtney, and many others.
Plans set with Redwood Elementary School for the school-wide (450 children k-2) painting process in late January under our A.D. Abramson Grant for Public Art through Community Foundation of Mendocino County. Order canvas & supplies for BUILDING BLOCKS of LIFE, 45 ft painting for the school's Multi-purpose room.
Attend Partners Gallery opening of exhibit "Art for Art Sake", benefit for 100 Artists in 100 Classooms project of the Community Foundation and enjoy FLOCKworks art with children in their window display.
Plan 3 months rotating exhibit IMPRESSIONS in wood, textile & ceramic arts led by Kerry Marshall, Christina Marshall and Sarah Logan as part of the 2011 Open Door Arts @ Odd Fellows Series
Meet with FLOCKworks Board to firm 2011 priorities--Open Door Arts, Children's Banner Project, Hands-On-Art & Community Collaborations.

And this is only the 1st week of the year!

Treasure Boxes of Remembrance

2010-09-27T11:42:00.000-07:00

Treasure Boxes of Remembrance are being crafted from wooden cigar boxes by people all over the community as part of the October exhibit at historic Odd Fellows in Mendocino Village. The Treasure Boxes draw inspiration from the Day of the Dead Altars which honor a loved one, but the idea is to open this to wider interpretation. Displayed together, the Boxes become a shared Community Remembering.

A simple box to hold special memories...From there, each person invests their own ideas and creativity. Says organizer Janet Self, "Ones I am making are simple and will be inspirations in my Studio to hold these special memories a little closer." Boxes will be returned to each person after the Exhibit as a lasting reminder.

Completed BOXES can be brought to Odd Fellows Hall on Saturday Oct 2 and Sunday Oct 3 from 11 to 3 pm. They can also be brought in during the week (Oct 4 to Oct 7) as the Exhibit is set up. Additional Boxes will be on hand through out the Exhibit to add to the installation. Historic Odd Fellows is located at the corner of Kasten & Ukiah Streets in Mendocino Village (phone 937-2486).

SOULFUL ABUNDANCE will open on Friday Oct 8 with the Artist Celebration Party on Saturday Oct 9th (4pm to 8pm) as part of Mendocino 2nd Saturday.

An Invitation!

2010-08-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

ARTFULLY PARTICIPATE! Be part fo the October 2010 Exhibit at Odd Fellows, Mendocino

SOULFUL ABUNDANCE is the theme for this eclectic exhibit set for October. It will draw on diverse traditions of Harvest, Day of the Dead, All-Souls Day and more into a lively celebration! Work by 15 local artists will be complimented by open installations of TREASURE BOX ALTARS & MASKS created by community members. YOU ARE INVITED to make one or more!

FLOCKworks is sponsoring the exhibit and says organizer, Janet Self "The aim is to engage people in the creative process and honor that drive in all of us! We hope to see hundreds of people make somethings that can be included in this artful celebration.

TREASURE BOX ALTERS...Make a shrine or altar of remembrance honoring a special person or memory. Pick a beautiful cigar box, add your creative spark and share it in this large scale installation. A wealth of information is available on the web about DAY OF THE DEAD... Get Inspired!

200 cigar boxes are available...at Racine's in Ft Bragg and FLOCKworks Studio in Mendocino. $5 contribution per box helps under costs. Choose a box, sign up to participate and be part of the fun. FLOCKworks Studio is open Weds to Sat 12 to 4 and by arrangement. Call the studio at 937-2486 or email najet46@hotmail.com.

MASKS figure in celebrations world-wide. Create an original mask--simple or elaborate--from paper, clay, fabric, recycled goods, natural elements or be inventive! "I'm cutting up old paintings for Masks" A $5 contribution per entry is requested.

Treasure Box Altars & Masks can be brought to Odd Fellows (corner of Kasten & Ukiah Sts in Mendocino) during the1st weekend in October. Sign up and we'll be sure to keep you posted on details... najet46@hotmail.com

SOULFUL ABUNDANCE exhibit will be open daily October 8 through November 2--with Artist Party on Saturday October 9th. Other special events are also planned... See you there!

Time Flies...

2010-08-20T15:50:00.000-07:00

WOW! The year has flown! This BLOG has not stayed up but FLOCKworks has thrived. It has been a very busy time of creativity out & about the community. New creative alliances--Noyo Food Forest, Mendocino Coast Writer's Conference, Mendocino Film Festival, Mendocino Coast Children's Fund, Skunk Train, Leadership Mendocino, Redwood Elementary School, Ft Bragg Middle School, Albion School, Laytonville Healthy Start, AmeriCorp-- and more. Open Door Arts @ Odd Fellows is going strong--WineSong Artists showcase opened today-- the 48th exhibit in this special community Art series that continues into next year!

Beginning now... More info out and more invitations to join in creativity! Check it out!

Migration of Souls...The Creative Journey

2009-10-17T08:52:00.000-07:00

MIGRATION of Souls presents contemporary work by eight Mendocino Area artists plus Day of the Dead Altar, Threads of Life story quilts and Children's Banner project. Hosted at the historic Odd Fellows Hall in Mendocino Village (corner of Kasten & Ukiah St), the exhibit is open Thursdays to Sundays through November 1.

Artists in the show include Janet Self, Lillian Cartwright, Melanie Knox, Yorgen Kvinsland, Pam King, Sarah Ginskey, Jonathan Palmer and Antiono Wuttke.

This exhibit reflects life transitions that place creativity into a new context and stretch the artist into new realities. Some have long history in the area, others only recently. Creative drive at the core, each "story" is compelling and reflected in show’s images …

Making life around family & the creative workshop.
Finding the creative muse after loss of a life long partner.
Stepping from academics to art.
Centering life on art & clay, disengaging from the rest.
Finding new voice for lifelong earth passions.
Delving in daily life & love to define new direction

Other elements in this special exhibit:

The THREADS OF LIFE project is a powerful addition to this set… Migrant women tell their life stories thru fabric quilts and add economic return to their families.

DAY OF THE DEAD Altars honor the wider circle of artists who add creative spark to support important community issues …Project Sanctuary provides safety & support for those facing domestic violence.

GRAPHIC EVOLUTION honors this space—the Odd fellows Hall (1878) and the generosity of space, talent and participation that has created this unique community art series. Special thanks to KATHY CARL for her sharing graphic talents to create a visual identity for this project and FLOCKworks.

CHILDREN’s Banner Project fosters creativity in a shared cooperative process. The banners remind us that children are our future and must be the core of our present actions. Banners also reflect the simple joy of creative play!

Community Art & Celebration!

2009-06-24T15:56:00.001-07:00

Honor the Past... Celebrate the Future! is an unique exhibit of local arts & artists put on by the Mendocino Presbyterian Church and hosted at OPEN-DOOR-ARTS @ Odd Fellows during June '09. As part of the 150th Anniversary of the Church, this project honors 13 heritage artists who helped make Mendocino what is is today... as well as over 50 current artists living and working in the Mendocino environment...

Leone McNeil Zimmer, known best for her stained glass, dreamed of this show and at 93, Leone is an unstoppable force. Artist Janis Porter did the heavy lifting to make it happen-- including getting artists involved, hanging the show and opening & closing the doors daily. These women demonstrate the real spirit behind great art & community effort!

Mendocino Film Festival Box Office hosted at FLOCKworks Studio

2009-05-24T10:59:00.001-07:00

Working together makes more happen...Mendocino Film Festival is happily at home in the FLOCKworks Studio for the days leading up to the festival.

From May 23-26, stop by to purchase tickets for the amazing films showing at this year's Festival! The main Odd Fellows hall becomes FESTIVAL HEADQUARTERS with tickets, merchandise and an mini-exhibit of the CELEBRATION BANNERS...Children's Banner Project & more.

This is the first active Space Sharing of our new FLOCKworks Studio; Keep watching for other ways this marvelous space-- inside & the outdoor gardens-- get used in the community interest!

ARTFUL Collaboration...Mendocino Film Festival 2009

2009-05-20T04:02:00.000-07:00

Mendocino Film Festival is one of the exquisite "magics" of our Coastal Community. A small circle of people with passion for film making created our local Film Festival...now in it's 4th year. It brings modern "story telling" at its best into the heart of our community and treats all of us to the wonders of the creative spirit. Special categories "Films for Our Future" and Films on the Arts" bring in stories of hope, beauty, bravery and vision.

A unique series of Banner Paintings by Artist Janet Self will fly for each Venue of the festival...Through Art-ful collaboration, FLOCKworks is the contributing sponsor for this element in the Festival. In addition, a special exhibit of Celebration Banners & related elements will be on display at Festival Headquarters in historic Odd Fellows Hall, corner of Kasten & Ukiah Sts in Mendocino Village. You can bid on a Banner to take home with you... and other art will be for sale... Drop in & take a look...

POLLINATION! ...May '09 Open Door Arts Exhibit

2009-05-18T22:03:00.000-07:00

"POLLINATION" is an amazing, diverse & jam packed show now on at OPEN DOOR ARTS @ Odd Fellows in Mendocino. With sculptural form at its core, it encompasses photography, painting, textile, wood work,metal work, jewelry, and ceramics! ceramics! & ceramics! Nothing is static... and energy explodes from work of 24 artists in this overall stunning exhibit of contemporary arts! Hats off to organizer & ceramicist Jessica Thompson!

This is the 29th group show is an on-going OPEN DOOR ARTS series celebrating community based art--made possible by the generous loan of Mendocino's historic Odd Fellows hall by the owner as renovation plans progress. Exhibits are organized and hosted by artists-- with a few special event exhibits led by others. This series draws lively interest from local & visitors alike--"What's Coming Next?

CHILDREN's BANNER PROJECT

2009-05-12T22:46:00.000-07:00

The CHILDREN'S Banner Project started out simple... Just a visit of kids to see art...

Deena Zarlin and 32 kids plus moms on the Big Yellow Sc

hool Bus down to a contemporary Art exhibit. Things got hands-on, art was made, everyone took part, and being creative together just worked! We all had fun!

I took this "banner" home to work on, take it a little further as Art...calm it down and help bring these energetic parts into a whole... I guess it turned out. After the "art" went back to class for finishing touches, it was put in a TEXtile exhibit and people from North Carolina bought it put in their vacation home in Maine...With $450, I invited the kids to help decide how to "invest it"...in supporting kids art...

Our Grammar school is undergoing 2 year reconstruction. Classes in portables are hidden behind chain-link fences, mountains of dirt and heavy equipment: “It felt like a prison yard.” We decided to use ART TO CHANGE OUR ENVIRONMENT...and remind folks that "KIDS ARE HERE". THE CHILDREN'S BANNER PROJECT emerged, aiming to positively change that atmosphere, bring creativity to the playground and shape a lively setting with children’s art.

With a large scale, free-form process, I lead a weekly 20 minute recess session open to all; between 35 to 70 kids participate in each session. The challenge is how to make it fun, keep it flexible, not too messy, engage kids ages 6 to 12, and produce something worth putting up!

To date, 20 outdoor nylon banners have been completed; Bannering sessions have also been done with local leaders, teens and at special events. The Project is on-going. The Banners appear on school fences, community art shows & events and will be featured at the Mendocino FIlm Festival, the Big Fun Fair in Mendocino and the July 4th Parade.

My driving passion is drawing people into the creative process--and breaking down barriers to art & creativity. This is reflected in my own Art and in establishing FLOCKworks, a local nonprofit to aimed to support the community’s creative spirit. It is working!

With Love From Mendocino... Celeberation of the Heart

2009-03-26T15:57:00.000-07:00

52 Artists celebrated the special history of local art on the Coast with an eclectic exhibit entitled WITH LOVE FROM MENDOCINO. From traditional to contemporary approaches in oils, acrylic, pastel, watercolor, photography, sculpture, ceramics, wood, jewelry, gourds, glass and more, this wide ranging group of artists share a passion for creativity as a way of life!

Each weekend, a team of artists hosted art lovers of all ages, sharing art in the studio and insights into their work. Visitors watched, asked questions and perhaps, even got their hands in the process. Young children enjoyed creative space in the studio, letting families explore the exhibit. More than 1,200 visitors--more than half from out of the area, toured the show. At the end of January, another group of artists added a special mini-exhibit of TREASURE LOVE BOXES--traditional cigar boxes they had transformed into art-treasures with proceeds of $650 benefiting community programs.

Coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of the Mendocino Art Center, the exhibit reflected the varied nature of arts that has flourished here since. "This remarkable diversity of work speaks from the creative heart of our local community." says organizer Janet Self. "We all wish the best for the Art Center and believe that this core of creative passion is what makes our community truly unique".

The historic Odd Fellows is on-loan by the owner to local groups of artists and "WITH LOVE"...exhibit kicks off the 3rd year and 26th exhibit in this on-going series. FLOCKworks, a nonprofit aimed to support the community's creative spirit, organized "WITH LOVE..." and facilitates the on-going OPEN DOOR ARTS @ OddFellows series. 12 community shows are set for 2009. Historic Odd Fellows is located at the corner of Kasten & Ukiah streets, one block up from Main St in Mendocino Village.

Open Door Arts @ Odd Fellows

2008-12-29T14:47:00.000-08:00

OPEN DOOR ARTS @ Odd Fellows is about space for the community's creative spirit to thrive...

Since February 2007, 24 exhibits of local art have taken place in this historic 2,400 sq foot building; work by over 500 adults & 300 children has been enjoyed by locals & visitors...Between 1000 to 1,800 people typically stop into each show. Ceramics, sculpture, fine wood furniture, paintings and drawings of all sorts, textiles & fiber arts, photography, jewelry, and more, each exhibit profiles a unique mix of work by community artists, explores a special focus and is organized independently. "What's happening next??" is now the common refrain.

Here's the background...The Historic Odd Fellows hall was built in 1878 and it served many purposes over the years. By 1961, the building was in bad shape...needing roof, foundation and more. Dr. Preston donated it to benefit 4-H & Artist Warren Zimmer took on its rehabilitation. This set in motion 40+ year era of art in this special space fostered by the Zimmer family. The building was sold in 2003, and the new owner had major renovations plans; differences with Historic review process put things on hold. When a group asked if they could borrow the space to put on a photography show, the owner said yes...and a handful of shows happened in the next couple of years...

In fall 2006, the idea emerged to foster continual use of this amazing space and facilitate an on-going series of community art. The aim was to strengthen the artists community, include younger & older artists in more opportunities and draw wide community interest in local arts--exploring different themes, medium and more. The Owner graciously agreed and OPEN DOOR ART @ Odd Fellows began...FLOCKworks was formed, lights, phone and furnishings set-up and things took off from there...And WOW!

From the willingness of one person to allow others to use

FLOCKworks... What is it?

2008-08-14T18:14:00.001-07:00

FLOCKworks is an idea and expression of creativity... It is also a local nonprofit aimed to support, sustain and enhance the creative spirit of the Mendocino Coast Community.

It is about keeping the Mendocino Spirit Alive!

Artists, musicians, writers, poets, singers, actors, gardners, wood workers, chefs, healers, innkeepers, shopkeepers, & "flower children of all kinds" flocked to the Mendocino Coast since the 1960s, setting a culture of creative pursuit & tolerance.

The result is an intact 1800s village, ancient stands of redwoods, crashing surf on open public lands and a special way of life. Our community is a landmark that shows if you DREAM BIG & FOLLOW PASSIONS, incredible things can happen.

This Spirit still rings true today. When people here talk about their lives, the story is of passions, hopes, friends, connections and creative endeavors to make a good life...And people get involved here to make things happen.

FLOCKworks honors this legacy of creative pursuit & tolerance and aims to fan the flames that will sustain it at the heart of our community!

2008-08-14T18:14:00.000-07:00