willits center for the arts

It is almost time for the Willits Center for the Arts 18th Annual Art Auction Final Bidding Party. The auction has always been a main source of funding for the Art Center. "It provides operating expenses for the Center, so we can keep the doors open, and provides a space for art shows and cultural events in the community. We are on a very limited budget, and need community support to continue," says Mary Sisson, who is the chairperson for the event.

This will be the ninth art auction that she has been in charge of, and the Art Center is very grateful for her commitment. The earlier art auctions were held upstairs at the Mendocino County Museum, and the money raised at those yearly events provided the funds to renovate the Art Center. The Art Center now includes gallery space downstairs, a meeting room, an office, and a wheelchair accessible hall upstairs which can be used for more art display space, meetings and events. The monthly shows feature the work of artists of all ages, like the Art Under Twenty Show, featuring young artists in the Willits Community.

"We have a very dedicated group of volunteers who help hang the show, set up, clean up and help on the night of the auction. We could not do it without them," says Mary. This year's art auction is one you won't want to miss. Each day, Mary is receiving new donations. "We have some beautiful new jewelry and lots of new artwork on display. The artists represented in this show are some of the best in the county."

The items can be viewed and bid on before the final auction during gallery hours. The final bidding party is on Saturday, March 20, starting at 7 PM when there is a madcap evening of food, wine, and fun, as the bidders rush around to make sure they will get the art piece they have their eye on, in between socializing, and listening to music.

The auction closes at 9 PM and the fun continues with a "Spring Fling" dance upstairs in the Great Room to live music. There is plenty of room and a great floor for dancing. The dance will start with the Marjo Wilson Trio at 8 PM playing a lively set of acoustic original music. Then the headliner band, the Beat Keepers, will swarm the dance floor with a mix of grooves from around the world. The Mendocino County-based trio's song arsenal includes African soukous, Carribean reggae, soulful funk, Persian trance, sultry samba and more. Tickets for the dance are $10.

The Beat Keepers will play between 9 PM and midnight with an intermission set featuring special guest Malakai Schindel performing mesmerizing flute and digeridoo tunes. The art auction and dance are the yearly fundraiser for the Willits Center for the Arts, providing funds for the monthly shows the Art Center sponsors. The gallery is open Thursday and Friday 4-7 PM and Saturday and Sunday 12-3 PM.

While you're in a mood to appreciate art, learn about the art scene throughout Mendocino County from the Arts Council of Mendocino County.