Reclaiming Woke
It’s time to awake to the term woke. Woke has been demonized in our polarized environment. We need to reclaim woke as a mainstream term that emphasizes inclusivity of all of us. The consciousness of bad actions needs to encourage us to speak out strong enough and loud enough to bring about positive change. We strive to promote awareness, inspire learning and encourage rational thinking through this project.
-Ginny and Joe Cooper
Master craftsman and instructor, Joe Cooper discovered his love of woodworking as a very young boy. He escaped to his parents’ garage where he found a hammer, nails, a saw and a vivid imagination. Joe’s formal education includes an AA in Cabinet and Mill Work from LA Trade Technical College, a BA in industrial Arts with a major in Wood Technology from Cal State University LA, a teaching credential from UCLA and numerous art classes at Otis College. In the 1970’s Joe designed his own line of furniture which sold at a number of stores in the Los Angeles area and beyond. Joe started teaching in 1979 and taught 28 years for the LA Unified School District. He also taught at Otis College for a number of years. He helped start Trade Tech’s Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) program as well as educating teachers in the field of CNC for Paton Group, a cutting-edge company in Industrial Arts education. As a teacher, articles about Joe appear in Pacific Woodworker and Woodworker West. Joe’s fabrications and name have appeared in Architectural Digest, Dwell, Interior Design and Faith and Form magazines. His business supplied signage and support furniture for exhibits in most of the major museums in Los Angeles, including the Black History Museum, the Getty, LACMA, and the Gene Autry Museum. In 2016 Joe closed his shop in Los Angeles and moved to Fort Bragg with his wife Ginny. He has set his dream shop in a beautiful barn that he designed and built. He has donated his time and work to Gloriana’s production sets, Noyo Marine Center’s dome, as well as numerous other projects here in Fort Bragg.
How Can So Many Petals Become a Flower?
A unique group show by our visiting artist-in-residence.
Members Exhibition
Mendocino Art Center’s Member’s Exhibition 2025
THE BEAUTY OF OUR COAST
What calls us to the Mendocino Coast? Is it the stunning sunsets, the mystical whales or the fluttering and fleeting hummingbirds? Is it the abundant botanicals like Fuchsias, Nasturtium or Matilija poppies? Is it the mushrooms, the banana slugs, the foxes or the mountain lions? There is so much unique beauty on the Coast to appreciate. What beauty inspires you?
We welcome our members to bring one piece of artwork to exhibit. We will be accepting work on a first-come, first-serve basis and will do our best to include all members into the exhibit. We will be awarding recognition of excellence through a community vote.
Sat/Sun March 1 & 2 (11:00-4:00) Art Take In
Saturday March 8 (11:00-4:00) Exhibition Opening
Saturday, April 5 (11:00-4:00) Exhibition Closing
Sunday, April 6 (11:00-4:00) Art Pick Up
ELIGIBILITY / FEES / SALES
This Exhibition is open to all current MAC members. One piece of original artwork in any medium may be submitted. Please submit artwork which has NOT previously been shown at the MAC. Your Submission must not exceed 50lbs or 40 inches in either direction. Work must be received ready to install with proper hanging devices attached. Please label artwork with artist name, phone number, email address, title of work, medium, and retail price of work.
A non-refundable fee of $20 will be charged for your artwork entry. We prefer that the artwork would be offered for sale. Artist will receive 60% of the sale price. MAC retains a 40% commission on the sales for the purpose of sustaining the non-profit.
Please note that artwork will be accepted and displayed on a first-come, first-serve basis until our walls have been fully filled. A large number of larger canvases will limit haw many artworks can be displayed.
PICKING UP ARTWORK
In the event that your artwork does not sell, please plan to pick up your artwork on Saturday or Sunday, September 7th & 8th, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Mendocino Art Center does not have storage facilities and your artwork is insured only for the duration of the exhibit. If you are unable to pick up your work, please provide prior written authorization for another person to do so on your behalf. For more information, please email gallery@mendocinoartcenter.org.
Peoples Collection Exhibition
During the month of February the MAC will be exhibiting a curated group of artwork donated by the well-known Hollywood screenwriters, Janet and David Peoples. This exhibit will be accompanied by a digital archive showing the complete collection of available donated artwork.
David and Janet Peoples are known for their work on films such as Blade Runner, 12 Monkeys, The Blood of Heroes, and Unforgiven among others. This donation was generously provided to support the ongoing mission of the MAC.