New Year of Artful Community...

Six years ago FLOCKworks was started as an nonprofit aiming to strengthen the creative spirit of community.  What that really meant or what we would exactly do wasn't quite clear; but the intention was to find ways to pull community together through the arts and to have fun doing it.

Masks with AVID 7th Grade class at Ft Bragg Middle School.

• Mendocino Stone Soup was our very first project... With ceramic, culinary, music, and hospitality arts, we focused on our Community Center of Mendocino and marshaled funds that ensured every child could participate in after-school programs regardless of family finances. In 2007, 400 people came; 2008, over 600 people. After waiting 5 years, things are set for another Stone Soup on February 2, 2013.
• OPEN DOOR ARTS @ Odd Fellows began in Spring 2007: our 1st exhibit was with the Mendocino Figure Drawing Collective followed by an Exhibit with the Mendocino Coast Audubun featuring 340 Children's Drawings kicking off their 6 year Save Our Shorebirds Citizen research project.    Since then, over 70 exhibits have been part of this amazing community series. Exhibit number 72 will be FLOCKworks' Open Door in January 2013.
• Children's Banner Project began in 2008 with art making during lunchtime recess on the Mendocino K-8 school playground;  Banners, murals and other art projects have since engaged thousands of children at schools, on the soccer field, at community events and more.   Hands-on Mural Making is a regular part of Noyo Food Forest's EARTH DAY celebrations. Water Tank, Work Shed and Garden-in-reach now host unique Murals created with hundreds of Earth Day participants...fun, bright and artful!   Murals created with all 450 k-2 children at Redwood School now hang at the CV Starr Center, Harvest Market and School's own multi-purpose Room.  
• Creative Collaboration has been key in how we have worked with over 40 local groups and organizations on important community themes and projects.    Mendocino Coast Children's Fund is our partner in our COMMUNITY BUILDERS Award, one of many ways we pull together in supporting the creative spirit of community.

Little by little, we developed a sense of what our mission actually means... And we can't wait for the coming year of creative projects, partnerships, hands on art with kids and much more! 

Quiet @ Odd Fellows

For over 6 years, monthly exhibits have filled the historic Odd Fellows with local arts of all kinds...Over 2,500 adults and 3,000 children have been part of this unique community art series. Locals and visitors come out to see what's up, opening parties are lively and fun, and the art is rich and diverse. Artists themselves host the exhibits, giving a glimpse of creative passion and a different experience of art itself.    

This month, December, the space sits quiet.  No group asked to use the space and so it sits...waiting for the 2013 year to begin.

FLOCKworks opens the doors January 12th to celebrate our 6 years "supporting the creative spirit of community".  During this incredible 6 years, we have fostered use of this amazing space in this OPEN DOOR ARTS series, creatively worked with children, teachers and organizations in hands-on art, banner and mural making,  and collaboratively engaged with others in addressing important themes in our community.  Artists friends will join us with their work, STONE SOUP bowls will be gathering and art work with children will be shared.   We will even have some films to share during this special month!  (Weekends only).  We look forward to seeing you!

CENTERING COMMUNITY!

Mendocino Stone Soup gatherings in 2007 and 2008 left more than 1,000 bowls are in the hands of community members that attended. Each bowl or mug hand crafted by a local potter, each piece a work of art.

Have you ever thrown a bowl on a potter's wheel...?  

Begin with a nice lump of clay, wedged, smooth and shaped.  Steady your arms as you strongly place the clay in the center of the wheel.  Carefully place your arms, your hands on the clay and start the wheel spinning.  As things go 'round, your hands feel the clay, shaping into that circle, gently firming towards the center point of the mass...

In one instant, you feel the magic as the clay centers on the wheel.  Close your eyes to be certain.  And then there it is.  THE CENTER.  The beginning point.

For Mendocino Stone Soup, tables full of bowls and mugs, created by community potters, generously given, will be there for each person to choose from. Each bowl becomes a lasting token of this special gathering.  For those who already have a Stone Soup Bowl, bring them back to the Community Center of Mendocino on February 2-- to either trade in or refill! Together, we are working to Center our Community.  

Mendocino Stone Soup, February 2, 1:30 to 5:00, Community Center of Mendocino, in the historic old school house on Pine and School Streets.  If you want to help, stop in to sign up.

If you are a potter, your generous addition of some bowls or mugs would be greatly appreciated.
 
  
  

Finally Time for Mendocino STONE SOUP again!

Finally after waiting 5 years, it is time for another STONE SOUP Gathering to celebrate our COMMUNITY CENTER OF MENDOCINO!