willits center for the arts

The Willits Center for the Arts is presenting the first show in what will be a yearly show celebrating the arts in Willits. It will be held during Frontier Days, and will offer the community and visitors an opportunity to appreciate the arts and artists that live in our local community.

This first show will focus on the ranching traditions of the Little Lake Valley, including a display of saddles, tack, and other everyday objects that are used daily on the ranch or farm. Several families such as the Persicos, the Fords, and the Yokums will be participating. As well as being educational, this show will open our eyes to the beauty of the handmade objects that have become a part of these family's lives.

Art takes many forms besides what we usually think of as fine art. Art can be found in the fine craftsmanship of objects from the past: In the tooling of saddles, in woodworking, basketmaking, blacksmithing, and quilting. These crafts were a part of everyday ranching life in the earlier days of the Little Lake Valley. Examples of these traditional arts will be on display at this show as well as contemporary Western art: Paintings, photography, drawings, jewelry and more.

The opening on Friday, July 2 will include music downstairs, and a storytelling program upstairs in the Great Room. On display in the Great Room will be Quilts Past and Present, including contemporary quilts as well as antique quilts made by Mavis Bromaghim. The show is curated by Ann Maglinte and Dale Dingman. The show will open at 6 PM to make it easier for all ages to attend.