Article by Laura Fogg | for The Ukiah Daily Journal

April 22 is Earth Day. Art Center Ukiah is celebrating in the way that works best for a community-focused art center… by hosting an art show that addresses the topic…for the entire month.

As is almost always the case with shows at ACU, the call for artists is open to our whole community. Artists were specifically challenged to answer the question, “Is there a way to reduce our human footprint and live more lightly on our planet?” And, of course, an obvious response is to create art using only found, reused and recycled materials.

Artists were prompted with several questions. “Can you address the environmental issues that concern you? Surprise us with unusual and creative ways that you can find beauty or tell a story with materials that somebody else no longer wants.” We are expecting an eclectic variety of work in two and three dimensions, and hoping for unusual and exciting responses which will cause double takes and wonder… and hopefully inspiration to think hard about our habits of buying and discarding a huge variety of stuff.

Also featured in the ACU space will be a wooden tree laden with handmade pysanky eggs for sale. As was the case last year, all profits will all go directly to the World Central Kitchen in Ukraine, as a means of supporting the people who created this age-old art form. Pysanky eggs can be displayed in a basket for Easter, hung on a Christmas tree, or used year-round as an accent in a window or on a special shelf. They make wonderful gifts for all occasions. Board member Katie Gibbs is proud to announce that last year ACU sent over $2,500 to Ukraine, and she hopes we can repeat that support this year.

A free-to-the-public art workshop is scheduled on April 22. The class will be a repeat of last year’s enormously popular Ukrainian pysanky eggs, taught by Laura Fogg. The process is successive colors applied over a wax resist, similar to the making of batik, but done on blown eggs instead of fabric. The designs on the eggs can be traditional or innovative, copied or totally freeform. In spite of the seemingly intricate results, this process is beginner-friendly and appropriate for children over the age of 10. Participants in the workshops last year were all proud of their beautiful accomplishments, and most finished at least two eggs. The class will run from 1 to 4 p.m. and is likely to fill fast. To register, you can visit the Corner Gallery to sign up in person, or call the gallery at 707-462-1400 to leave a message. Participation is limited to 10 students.

The First Friday opening celebration will be on April 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. Live music will be provided throughout the evening by Steve Hahm. Art Center Ukiah is located in the back of the Corner Gallery at 201 S. State St. in Ukiah.