Bruce
Jones, Vice President
Bruce
is active in several local art organizations: past president
of the North Coast Artists Guild, past president of Gualala Arts,
a member of the Watercolor Artists of Sonoma County and on
the Board of the Arts Council of Mendocino County.
He
says, “I’m fascinated with the way our brains use
clues of shape and texture to figure out what we are seeing.
I explore patterns of these clues in my paintings and
sculptures.” In college, he only took one art class.
His degrees are a BA in Economics and a MBA from University
of California in Berkeley. Bruce used these degrees in the
financial and software businesses for 30 years and then changed
careers to “nothing but art” when he moved to Gualala
in September, 2000. He’s been painting all his life,
as did many members of his family. His art teachers include
his mom, Bill Kucha, Arne Westerman, Doug Haga, and Steve
Memering.
Contact Bruce at bsjones@hughes.net or visit his website at www.art.mcn.org/bruce-jones.
Robert Rhoades, Treasurer
Bob is Professor of Art at College of the Redwoods in Fort Bragg.
He may be reached at Bob-Rhoades@Redwoods.edu or visit his website at www.creekwoodstudios.com
Danielle Hurt, Secretary
Danielle Hurt is a single mother of two active young men and a long time Native American resident of Covelo, with strong family ties to the community. Danielle has worked as the Executive Secretary of the Round Valley Indian Health Center for 11 years and prior as a teller and loan officer of Wells Fargo Bank for six years. Active in the community by serving as the Co-Commissioner of the Sheriff’s Activity League (SAL) for the past six years as well as being the previous secretary on the Eel River Charter School Board for a term of four years. Ensuring that resources and activities are available for the youth of the Round Valley/Covelo Community has been one of Danielle’s goals for this small/remote community.
Danielle may be reached at daniellehurt@hotmail.com.
Jay
Gordon
Jay is part of a new breed of retiree calling Mendocino County home. Although no longer a part of the international corporate world, "Lifelong workaholic habits are difficult to change when you still have ideas and energy," he says.
Jay's first love is his hometown of Willits. He is past-President of the Willits Community Theatre and remains a vigorous supporter of the theater, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. His appreciation of the arts led him to the Arts Council of Mendocino County, where he serves on the board. He has been a director of the Mendocino County Promotional Alliance and continues to work with them to promote Mendocino County.
He is Travel and Features editor of the Willits Nickel and Dime, which is online at www.thenickelanddime.com. Jay is a member of the Bay Area Travel Writers and a forum moderator for the website www.OpenRoad.tv, which is a “Travelers video guide to the American West.” His writing and photographs also appear on numerous other websites and in other publications to promote community services and tourism to Mendocino County.
Jay is a Regional Advisor for the Mendocino County Community Foundation, which has assets in excess of $10 million and awarded more than $100K in grants in 2006 to deserving local organizations.
Jay may be reached at jaygordonwillits@mac.com.
Jan Stephens
Jan is a visual artist, educator, and owner of Organic Attire. She has a B.A. in Fine Arts, a Masters
Degree in Arts Education, and a California teaching credential in
visual art. In addition to designing and creating her own line of organic
cotton clothing, Jan also loves to paint. She has exhibited her
acrylic paintings in the Bay Area and Mendocino County. Contact Jan at jan@organicattire.com or visit her websites: www.jkstephens.com and www.organicattire.com.
Hal Wagenet
Hal is a native of Willits, but has been “south of Ukiah.” Trained as a classical pianist, he became fascinated by the tonal possibilities of the electric guitar. Wagenet moved to San Francisco sometime in the 1960s to pursue the dream of blending these two musical concepts. He achieved personal recognition as the lead guitarist for the “Indian Head Band,” then joined the psychedelic classical rock band, “It’s A Beautiful Day.” The group rose to prominence, earning a place in history as one of the most influential San Francisco groups.
Hal returned to Mendocino County with his gold records and managed his family sawmill for the next 30 years. He taught recording and the “Business of Music” for ten years; served as Entertainment Director for Willits Frontier Days for 30 years; presented the Willits Country Pickers concert series for 10 years; provided technical services to clients as varied as Jose Feliciano, Taj Mahal, Ali Akbar Khan, and The Righteous Brothers.
Becoming obsessed with the Willits Bypass in 2001, he found himself in local politics, was elected to the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors and served a term with distinction. He owns and operates Modern Music Sound Service, providing concert sound, stage lighting, DJ services and theatrical enhancements for the area.
Hal may be reached at halwagenet@willitsonline.com.
Arts
Council of Mendocino County
Staff
Anna Kvinsland, Executive Director
Anna has been the Executive Director of the Arts Council of Mendocino County since March 2003. Prior to moving to Mendocino County, Anna worked for the Public Art Program of the San Francisco Arts Commission. Prior to moving to California, she managed a fine art gallery in Seattle and was the wholesale rep for Seattle artist, Marvin Oliver. Anna graduated from the University of Washington in 1994 with a BA in Cultural Anthropology, and from Golden Gate University in 2002 with a MA in Arts Administration. Contact Anna at director@artsmendocino.org.
Bill Mulvihill, Program Assistant
Bill Mulvihill has lived on the north coast since 1970. In the early seventies he worked with Mendocino Art Center instructors, Charles Stevenson and Dorr Bothwell. He was also involved in theatre productions performed there, doing posters, stage managing, costume and set design. In the years since then, Bill has worked in many art mediums, drawing, portraiture and printmaking being particular favorites. After completing the College of the Redwoods Graphic Communications Program, he received the certificate in May, 2007. Currently, in addition to working with the Arts Council of Mendocino County, he is assistant editor for the Fort Bragg – Mendocino Coast Historical Society newsletter, Voice of the Past. Bill also does other design / layout work, including CD and DVD disc design and duplication. You can contact him at bilmul@mcn.org or www.drawnfaces.net.
