GREAT ROOM AND CLASSROOM RENTALS and ART PARTIES
email manager@willitscenterforthearts.org or call 707-459-1726
MONTHLY ART TALK
2nd Fridays 6:30 pm
Join us in person in the Great Room
Willits Center for the Arts will present a festive opening night of artwork by Robin Rule and Isaac Frankle, aka Shovelman, on Saturday January 4. Poet and book designer Robin Rule has lived in the Willits area for over fifty years. She developed her assemblage and book art designs as a remedy for writers block for her poetry and stories. She will be presenting a retrospective and some new work both new work for the early January exhibit. Isaac Frankle, aka Shovelman, is an assemblage artist and musician whose artwork is rooted in the surrealist tradition. His art has been shown in galleries and sculpture gardens in San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Mendocino County.
Frankle has known Robin Rule since childhood and considers her a mentor and important artistic influence. He will be presenting his own eccentric brand of assemblage and found object artwork, and also performing his bluesy 'folktronic' music on a handmade barn- shovel-turned slide guitar at the January opening. The January 4 opening begins at 6pm with snacks and beverages.
Welcome in a new year of art at the Willits Center for the Arts, at 71 East Commercial St., in Willits. Galleries will be open Fridays through Sundays from 11-5, and the exhibit will extend until Sunday January 26.
The Willits Center for the Arts is excited to announce ART TALKS, a new initiative inviting retired teachers and community members to volunteer as Art History instructors for students in grades K 12. This program is designed to bring the wonders of art history to young learners, fostering a deep appreciation for cultural and artistic achievements.
To prepare volunteers for this rewarding role, a comprehensive training sessions will be held. The training will equip participants with the necessary skills to deliver engaging and informative Art History lectures. Each volunteer will receive professional PowerPoint presentations and detailed lesson plans tailored to various age groups and learning levels.
Training Details:
• Dates: Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22, 2024
• Location: Willits Center for the Arts, 71 E. Commercial St, Willits, CA
• Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The training sessions will cover essential lecture delivery techniques, effective use of visual aids, and strategies for engaging students. Volunteers will be guided through the process of presenting Art History topics, ensuring they feel confident and prepared to inspire young minds.
"We are thrilled to launch ART TALKS and bring art history into our classrooms throughout Mendocino County," said Gary Martin, curator of the Willits Center for the Arts. We have already reached 3 school districts and a reservation serving 2,000 students. We hope to reach all 12 school districts in Mendocino County. "This program offers a unique opportunity for retired educators and community members to share their passion for art and education, enriching the learning experience for our students." The program will take up 1-3 days depending on the size of your school district.
Interested individuals are encouraged to sign up by contacting Gary Martin at (707) 972-3326 or by emailing gtm1950@gmail.com. While prior teaching experience is not required, a passion for art and education is highly valued.