MIDDLETOWN — The Middletown Art Center is hosting a guided tour of Rabbit Hill, with Naturalist Ed Dearing on Saturday, Feb. 16 from 1-3 p.m. The tour is free, and open to the public. The group will meet at the Art Center at 21456 State Highway 175 at 1 p.m. The walk will include discussion pertaining to the natural environment, and design of a new Art Trail on Rabbit Hill.
Located at the highest point in central Middletown, this 9.5-acre property is home to numerous rare and endangered plants. Rabbit Hill is owned and managed by the Lake County Land Trust, and MAC is partnering with them to create an Art Trail leading to the top of the hill with the intent of revitalizing the park for public use. Rabbit Hill burned in the Valley Fire.
Formerly the home of the Hamann family the land was gifted to the Madrone Audubon Society and later deeded to the Land Trust, in memory of their daughter, Joan, who was murdered in 1966. Mrs. “Skee” Hamann was known for her deep appreciation of nature and for imparting her passion and knowledge to the neighborhood children. Visit lakecountylandtrust.org/rabbit-hill to learn more about Rabbit Hill and the Land Trust.
RSVP to middletownartcenter@gmail.com to stay in touch in case of changes due to weather. Visit the MAC website or @ARTmiddletown on Facebook on Staurday, to check for a change of plan. Wear weather appropriate clothing and bring a water bottle.
The tour marks the initiation of Phase I of the collaborative Art Trail design and implementation, which is part of MAC’s RESTORE project. The design will be informed by park environment and brainstorming will continue at MAC lead by Sculptors and Teaching Artists Marcus Maria Jung (natural wood), Emily Scheibal (plaster and cement) and Lisa Kaplan (earth clay). Design proposals will be approved by the Lake County Land Trust.
The MAC encourages and welcomes anyone interested in joining this enriching community project to join the tour, the collaborative design session, and one or many of its RESTORE classes.
RESTORE’s low-cost arts classes provide opportunities to learn or refine skills in a variety of materials and techniques in sculpture, mixed media, printmaking and creative writing. RESTORE classes in sculpture and mixed media will largely focus on implementation of the Rabbit Hill Art Trail. Classes take place most weekends through May 2019
Upcoming classes include Natural Wood Sculpture with Marcus Maria Jung on February 17th, Block Printing with John Jennings on March 3rd, Mixed Media Painting with Laura Schneiter Kennedy on March 9th, and Sculpture with Emily Scheibal on March 16th. The next Writers’ Workshop will be March 23 with Clive Matson. Preregistration is required for all classes at www.middletownartcenter.org/restore. Space is limited.
The RESTORE project was made possible with support from the California Arts Council, a state agency, with additional support from the Lake County Land Trust and other local organizations, businesses, and individuals. Visit www.ca.arts.gov to learn more about the California Arts Council’s work in communities and schools throughout California.
Learn more about what’s happening at MAC including BODY HEAT, the Friday night Valentine’s Dance on February 15, 7-10pm, featuring a carefully curated mix of James Brown’s music. Be a part of the growing arts and cultural scene in South Lake County by becoming a MAC member, by participating in RESTORE, or by attending one of the many events or classes at MAC. Visit www.middletownartcenter.org or “Like” Middletown Art Center on Facebook to stay up-to-date.
