MEASURE U SPOTLIGHT - MONO ARTS COUNCIL
As we continue learning more about the incredible programs and organizations Measure U helps to support, Mono Arts Council is in the spotlight this month.
Mono Arts Council (MAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to arts education and accessibility in the Eastern Sierra. In 2022, MAC celebrated its 30th year as a non-profit. This milestone year marked exciting new programs as well as the continuation of established programs. MAC continued to bring in-school arts curriculum to the Mammoth Unified School District and Eastern Sierra Unified School District, such as Create with the Greats and History of Dance. During the summer break, MAC hosted Summer Camps for kids between five and eighteen years old and offered various visual and performing art mediums like mosaics, theater, dance, and photography. Most recently, MAC received a grant from the California Arts Council to offer the MAC Music Program to students of the Eastern Sierra Unified School District as part of the Artist in Schools Grant Program. This program ensures that ESUSD students receive music theory and music application on instruments like recorders and ukuleles.
To supplement in-school and summer youth programs, MAC Gallery and Community Arts Center offers opportunities for emerging and established artists in the area. Over fifty local and regional artists are represented in the Gallery on an annual basis, with Seasonal Shows and Featured Artist exhibitions rotating quarterly. Additionally, MAC hosts twice a month Art + Wine classes for adults. These classes range from stained glass and plein air painting to printmaking and knitting basics. Classes are taught by local artists and are perfect for folks to learn new art mediums in a casual and encouraging environment.
In the last year, the Community Arts Center has expanded free programming to provide more opportunities for Mono County residents of all ages. These programs include Open Studio, Knitting Circle, Pow Wow Social Dance, and Youth Program: Social Native Dance. Open Studio, a space to draw, paint, or sketch, is held during MAC Gallery hours (Thursday through Monday 12pm-6pm). Knitting Circle brings together knitters and crocheters every other Sunday from 4-6PM. Lastly, Pow Wow Social Dance is co-hosted by MAC and AkaMya Culture Group to bring Pow Wow Dance to all Mono County community members. These programs are free for all and donations are welcome to support ongoing community programming efforts.
Looking forward to 2023, MAC is excited to continue the programs mentioned above as well as our biggest fundraising event of the year, Mammoth Lakes Arts on the 4th Festival. This four-day festival takes place in the parking lot of Footloose Sports over the Fourth of July weekend. Local and regional artists showcase their artwork while helping MAC raise funds for arts education. The festival includes local food vendors, Tony’s Tavern, Marty’s Music Corner of local musicians, and the Splash Art Booth.
MAC is proud to serve the Mono County community and enrich the Eastern Sierra with visual and performing arts. To make a donation or to learn more about Mono Arts Council, visit their website at monoarts.org. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Tiktok at @monoartscouncil.
About Mammoth Lakes Recreation
Formed in 2014, Mammoth Lakes Recreation’s mission is to deliver cutting edge sustainable recreation, mobility, and arts & culture opportunities and infrastructure for the benefit of the community and natural environment of Mammoth Lakes. For more information, go to www.mammothlakesrecreation.org.