Middletown >> Artists are invited to submit work inspired by fire experiences of 2015-2016 for the “Community Works” exhibition at the Middletown Art Center (MAC) gallery, poetry is also welcome.
“There is no question that art is an effective trauma-healing modality. It can transform chaos and despair into beauty. Now, almost a year since the Valley Fire and with the recent fire still burning, we encourage folks to engage in art making and in dance, music, writing, yoga and meditation, to process, express, play, reframe and release the fire experience from both psyche and body,” Lisa Kaplan, co-founder and teacher at MAC, said.
The deadline to submit photos of artwork by email to MiddletownArtCenter@gmail.com is Monday, or call (707) 809-8118. Notifications about art to be displayed will be sent out by email after photos are received. Actual artwork must be delivered to MAC on Tuesday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Call MAC to arrange a different time.
The Community Works exhibition will open Aug. 27, 6-8 p.m., and run through Sept. 5.
In addition to the exhibition, Community Works includes free healing and stress relieving classes every day until Sunday in a variety of media and modalities. Check out the schedule at www.middletownartcenter.org. No experience necessary, classes are for everyone, adults, children and families together.
“There were 10 people in my Drawing the Inside Out class yesterday, which is a full house,” Kaplan said. “Six had lost their homes and one was still evacuated from her home in Noble Ranch. The others were feeling the fire impact in their own ways, as we all are. Art making is a great way to make order from the chaos around us, and express and soothe disjointed feelings.“
Community Works is a collaboration of MAC, artists, musicians and dancers, and Tri Uplifting Lake County and made possible in part by Roby and Associates, a public insurance adjuster and by Lake County Rising Valley Fire Relief Fund.
MAC is located at 21456 Highway 175 in Middletown.
