The Willits Center for the Arts is presenting a retrospective of Bonnie Belt’s ceramic work from the past 40 years and paintings by Laura Diamondstone.

Bonnie\\\’s work sells internationally.  For the past 40 years, she has immersed herself in ceramics creating exquisite objects to delight and amaze people with her skill.  A native of Needles California, she moved to Willits from the desert in 1994 for the trees and agreeable weather.

Bonnie tells us, “An artist must make the choice to be a professional or just have her art as an accompaniment to another life. Ceramic artist Bonnie Belt made the decision to become a professional artist in a purposeful and practical way. She found that her art had to be the focus in her journey through life and her connection to the natural world.”  She will be displaying work from the past 40 years.

SF Bay Area native, Laura Diamondstone, etched with various destinations/environments and work settings, is now nestled in Anderson Valley tending to home, land, and animals. Laura tells us, “Grounded with belief in nature, research, inspired people, the arts, and giving back. All of which inform my creative process. My degrees are in health sciences but I have been a lifelong observer and maker of art.  I’ve been immersed in numerous foundational classes and workshops from admired artists and participated in critique, collaborative, figure drawing, and reading groups. Basically, my “MFA” is in exploration and showing up at the studio.”  Laura’s paintings sing with color and wait till you see her unbelievable work with Bubble wrap.

The show opens Friday, September 23, and you can meet the artists on Saturday, September 24th between 6 – 9 pm.

The gallery is located at 71 East Commercial St. Gallery hours are 11 am to 5 pm Friday to Sunday.

For more information contact, Gary Martin: gtm1950@gmail.com or 707-972-3326.