Mendocino County Artists

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While much of Mendocino County is becoming well-known as a wine growing region, for the last few decades, Mendocino has secured a place in the arts community as well. Mendocino artists are many and most have chosen the county as their home not only for its sheer beauty but because there is a supportive artistic community in place where they can hone their craft with the help of others who have similar interests.

Mendocino artists and craftsmen can be found in many towns along the coast as well as inland. These "artsy" towns are a great place to visit and you'll have the opportunity to dart in and out of wonderful galleries and shops that display and sell the latest works of these regional artisans.

Where To Go
Mendocino artists hang out in a number of different towns. On the South Coast, Gualala is your best bet for enjoying a wealth of different art forms, from painting and sculpture to stained glass and jewelry.

Gualala boasts the multi-million dollar Gualala Arts Center, dedicated to promoting both the visual and performing arts. The center sponsors exhibits and special events, offers lectures and workshops, presents concerts by Mendocino musicians, stages theatrical productions, and even promotes the culinary arts. A stop here is a must for arts aficionados. Gualala is also home to many galleries and shops, so plan to do a little browsing in the downtown area as well.

Point Arena CITYART is a non-profit gallery that serves to "enhance the artistic flavor and cultural dynamic of our community by providing a physical location and an intellectual environment in which artists in this community and beyond may exhibit their work in the visual arts and by encouraging working and emerging artists to develop and discover avenues of expression." Stop by and enjoy the amazing examples of fine art found here.

Further up the coast, the village of Mendocino is a mecca for artists. Mendocino art of many varieties can be found in the shops and galleries that line the streets of this very cultural town. The spectacular Mendocino Art Center overlooks the Pacific Ocean and contains art of all sorts, providing visitors with stunning views both inside and out. First opened in 1959, the Center has long served as a retreat for both professional artists and students and has received acclaim as an educational, exhibition, and resource center for the visual and performing arts.

A walk down Mendocino's Main Street will also provide visitors with a chance to enter its many galleries and explore the works of local, regional, national, and international artists who work in a variety of media.

Nearby in Fort Bragg, you'll find the headquarters of the Mendocino Artists and Artisans. This is a collective of painters, sculptors, jewelers, glass artists, potters, photographers, fabric artists, silk screeners, weavers, beaders, candlemakers, and haberdashers who live and practice their art in Mendocino County. Many of these professionals have galleries you can visit.

Some of Mendocino County's smaller towns - both coastal and inland - are also home to a number of excellent art galleries. Be sure to take some time to explore those areas as well.