Going Up: Willits Center for the Arts Installs Chair Lift to Second Floor

Many years ago the dream to have a Center for the Arts in downtown Willits became a reality. The City of Willits formed the Willits Cultural Arts Commission to head up the task of renovating a city-owned building into an art center. In need of a thorough upgrading of its electric, plumbing, heating, and lighting systems, the building’s roof, windows, exterior and interior walls needed repair and replacement as well. It took many years of hard work, frugal spending, and dedicated volunteers to open the first floor gallery and classroom.

To help subsidize this community project a silent art auction was created as an annual fundraiser thirteen years ago. Local artisans and patrons donate works of art and local merchants contribute goods and services, continuing to raise nearly $10,000 a year to host monthly exhibits, maintain the building, and offset the cost of ongoing renovations. Thanks to the community’s effort, the first floor gallery exhibits now showcase a wealth of local talent from photographers, model makers, home-builders, quilters, weavers, painters, jewelers, sculptors, poets, wood & metal crafters, and young emerging artists, none of which could be sustained without the generous support of the Willits community through their donations, contributions, and time.

The second floor renovation is currently well underway and will house not only a 2000 square foot multi-purpose performance and display space with state-of-the-art lighting, but handicap access lavatories and a small office space as well. Dale Dingman, who heads the Renovation Committee, is especially excited to see the installation of the handicap access chair lift to the second floor completed. “This element of renovation provided us with a tremendous roller-coaster ride. From start to finish, it was five years to complete the installation of the lift,” he said.

With the continued enthusiasm and energy of all of our volunteers willing to donate time, money, and skills, completion of the second floor renovation will be completed within one year. Thanks to those who share a passion and commitment to the arts, the vision of developing a facility open and available to everyone, a Center for the Arts providing a venue for all media of craft and art to be exhibited for the enjoyment of the community and visitors to the Willits area is now tangible. Come see for yourself at 71 East Commercial Street in downtown Willits. You can reach the Willits Center for the Arts by phone at (707) 459-1732 or by email at willitscenterforthearts@yahoo.com.

The Arts Council is very pleased to welcome the Willits Center for the Arts as one of its newest members. For information on how your organization can become a member of the Arts Council of Mendocino County, email executive director Anna Kvinsland at director@artsmendocino.org.