Between July 28 and August 4, there’s a lot happening at Middletown Art Center (MAC), and there is something for everyone.
On Saturday July 28, from 6 to 8 p.m, the MAC opens “ISSUES” a provocative exhibit of artworks that speaks to issues of global, national, interpersonal and personal relevance. From Terry Church’s GMO, to Gene McHugh’s circular paintings, the exhibit presents both perennial and contemporary conundrums.
Also on the 28th from 1 to 5 p.m., Clive Matson will lead the popular Writers’ Workshop following his Crazy Child format (matsonpoet.com) as part of MAC’s RESTORE project. This is the second of 40 RESTORE classes, which will cycle through writing, sculpture, mixed media and printmaking workshops until May 2019. Adults and teens 12 and up of all artistic backgrounds and experience can join RESTORE classes and explore working in a variety of media or hone skills they already have. Classes are just $5. Those interested are asked to please preregister at www.middletownartcenter.org/restore.
On Monday July 30, Nature & Numbers, MAC’s second Adventures in Art Summer Camp this season, begins and runs daily through Friday August 3 from 9:30 to 12:30. Children ages 6 to 14 are invited to engage in a creative arts immersion focused on strengthening connections and pathways to number sense, geometry, and math through visual arts activities, drumming and movement. Nature & Numbers promises to be fun, enriching, and memorable! To learn more and register your child, visit www.middletownartcenter.org/classes.
On Friday August 3, the whole family is invited to enjoy art, the Farmers’ Market, food, music, open microphone, friends, and shopping at First Friday in Middletown from 5 to 9 p.m. This year’s third First Friday features a Wellness Café hosted at the MAC Gallery. Practitioners and organizations that support our wellness in a variety of modalities will be present to introduce and give brief presentations of their practice. One-on-one demonstration treatments will take place afterwards at nearby Lake County Jazzercise.
On Saturday, August 4 from 1 to 5 p.m., esteemed artist and instructor Sage Abella returns to offer Re-Story a mixed media playshop as part of RESTORE. The class will combine painting, collage, and writing. Register early as space is limited and the class fills quickly.
RESTORE classes are $5 (with a few exceptions at $10) thanks to a grant from the California Arts Council, a state agency, with additional support from local organizations, businesses, and individuals. You may learn more about scheduling and preregister for all classes at middletownartcenter.org/restore, or find and follow the MAC on Facebook: @ARTMiddletown.
The next RESTORE class will be Extreme Papier Mâché on August 18, taught by artist Christalene Loren. September through May will feature RESTORE classes most Saturdays. The project will culminate with the reopening of the EcoArts Sculpture Walk at Trailside Park, and a new Rabbit Hill Art Trail. RESTORE offers opportunities for both personal and collaborative artworks. Together, the community will revitalize outdoor public spaces that were destroyed by the Valley Fire.
Be a part of the growing arts scene in South Lake County by becoming a MAC member, by participating in RESTORE, or by coming to any of the many art and cultural events or classes at MAC. Visit www.middletownartcenter.org or like Middletown Art Center on Facebook to stay up to date with what’s happening at MAC.
