Mendocino Eco Artists Exhibit

MEA Artwork Sales Benefit Parks, Community and Visitors

What do art and the public restrooms in Mendocino have in common?  The Mendocino Eco Artists (MEA) are presenting a special art exhibit through November 26 at the Mendocino Art Center to support the nonprofit Mendocino Area Parks Association (MAPA)’s latest Mendocino Headlands State Park improvement project.  MAPA’s current focus is to revamp the public restrooms, located on park property, that are used by thousands of visitors who come to enjoy the area.

“Guests come from around the world to view the pristine beauty of the Mendocino Headlands,” said Carolyne Cathey, MAPA Executive Director, “and then they have to use the appalling restrooms. Not a good memory to take away with them.  The restrooms are clean, thanks to State Parks, just not attractive with graffiti and rust and aging facilities.”  MAPA, in collaboration with Loren Rex, Mendocino District Superintendent, has already replaced the leaky roof.

Jenny Heckeroth, Manager of the Ford House Visitor Center and Museum, has been working with local architect (and MEA artist) Debra Lennox to draw up plans for a complete renovation of the facilities. A few of the improvements included in the preliminary plans are an increase in the number of stalls, easily cleaned surfaces, energy efficient hand dryers, and improved lighting.

“MAPA is grateful for MEA’s generous contributions in improving our local state parks,” said Kevin Williams, Board President.  “Partners like MEA make our mission possible. How wonderful that purchasing something lovely for your home or office also helps improve our parks.”

At least 30% of the proceeds from all sales from this exhibit will go directly to MAPA to help restore the Headlands facilities.  MEA members are Juriaan Blok, Karen Bowers, Maeve Croghan, Eleanor Harvey, John Hewitt, Julie Higgins, Joe Janisch, Debra Beck Lennox, Suzi Marquess Long, Keith Middlesworth, Jim Moorehead, Deborah Nord, Janis Porter, Paul Reiber, Bob Rhoades and Cynthia Crocker Scott.

MEA is an organization of professional artists with the common goal of applying their talents to help conserve and restore the natural environment in our area.  The members are professional artists who live, work, and draw their creative inspiration from this beautiful place, and much of the splendor is located within the state parks.  MEA’s mission is to support our partner organizations by exhibits of members' art both to raise money and to helped increase public awareness of our natural environment.  Hundreds of people have been inspired and entertained by the art work, and been informed of the ecological issues facing our region, and thousands of dollars have been raised for our partner organizations.  Please visit http://www.mendocinoecoartists.org/ for information about the group and its members.

MAPA provides educational activities, interpretive programs and informative exhibits in our local parks and restores and conserves of park structures.  For further information, see http://www.mendoparks.org/.