The village of Mendocino was a former mill town fallen on hard times when artists Bill and Jennie Zacha arrived in the 1950's. By 1959, with the help of many friends, townspeople and artists, the Zacha's dream of developing an art center here had become a reality. The Art Center was established on the grounds of the former Preston mansion, which was featured in the James Dean movie East of Eden. When the mansion burned to the ground in 1957, Bill Zacha acquired the entire park-like property with a $500 deposit. By 1959 the remaining carriage house had been converted to the nucleus of the Art Center, while other outbuildings and animal sheds became the first studios.
During the ensuing years, the history of the Art Center and Mendocino village became closely entwined. The Art Center became the focal point of a thriving art colony that revitalized the nearly abandoned town.
Today, Mendocino and the Art Center are a world-renowned haven for artists in all media. It is an educational, exhibition, and resource center for the visual and performing arts. The Art Center has earned national and international reputations that attract an impressive selection of renowned faculty members, yet has remained small enough for productive dialogs between students and teachers, professional artists and beginners.
The facilities at the Mendocino Art Center include studios and classrooms for fine arts, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture, textiles and computer arts. Four gallery spaces provide exhibition opportunities to emerging and established artists. Twelve apartments are available for instructors and artists-in-residence. The MAC gift shop features a wide variety of fine art by local artists and members.
You can learn more by visiting the Art Center at 45200 Little Lake Street in Mendocino or visiting our Web site at www.MendocinoArtCenter.org. You can sign up online for workshops or call 707-937-5818 to register for more information.