Wine Country Times

As organizations and communities across the nation continue to adjust to the realities of COVID-19, the Arts Council of Mendocino County has come up with a number of innovative answers to continuing engagement with the arts community.

Alyssum Wier, Arts Council of Mendocino County executive director, told the Wine Country Times that the council continues to promote art in the community and assist artists in maintaining connections and sharing skills.

“The Arts Council of Mendocino County has initiated monthly Zoom calls for artists and arts organizations of Mendocino County to network with each other, stay connected and share skills around common needs such as moving curation, exhibition and other events online,” Wier told the Wine Country Times.

Even with restrictions severely altering the landscape in regards to what is possible for showings and exhibitions, there are still opportunities for artists to share their work, Weir told the Wine Country Times. Additionally, the pandemic has created opportunities for artists to learn new skills in order to maintain and hone their existing skills.

“Artists are also looking to expand their skills and learn to use social media to build the new connections that usually take place in galleries, craft fairs and other venues,” Weir told the Wine Country Times. “As hard-hit as the arts have been in 2020, along with so many other industries, many people are turning to the arts for solace and discovering new ways to connect, learn and share.”

Those interested in participating in some of the Arts Council’s programs can find out more at their website.

Some upcoming programs include an online exhibition of art that honors the former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg entitled “The Strength of Women," which ended Dec. 1, according to the website.

The council is also promoting an online concert featuring the Ukiah Symphony, “Holiday Songs from Around the World," according to the council’s website.