After four years of connecting local artists with their community through free exhibitions, workshops, and public events, the Deep Valley Arts Collective is turning the page. The nonprofit arts group is now operating under a new name: MEDIUM Art Center.
Same people. Same mission. Just fewer confused looks.
“We’ve always had two names, Deep Valley Arts Collective for the nonprofit and MEDIUM Art Gallery for our space in the Pear Tree Center,” said Lillian Rubie, co-founder and executive director. “Having ‘collective’ in our name caused a lot of confusion. People thought we were a private club or a co-op. The new name, MEDIUM Art Center, makes it clear we’re a public community art center, open to everyone.”
The new name reflects what the organization has become: a year-round arts center offering exhibitions, classes, performances, and hands-on workshops. It’s also a nod to the dual meaning of “medium,” not just the materials artists use, but the space between artist and audience, between personal expression and shared understanding.
“We’ve always wanted to create an arts center,” said Chris Pugh, co-founder and vice president. “The gallery was just the first step. It gave us a starting point, a place to gather and grow. Now we’re expanding into the full vision we always hoped for, a center where creativity is accessible to everyone.”
Since its start as a scrappy volunteer-run collective during the pandemic, the group has hosted numerous free juried art exhibitions, launched a collage workshop series for people in recovery, and supported hundreds of artists, many showing their work publicly for the first time. MEDIUM Art Center charges no submission fees and leaves the commission structure open-ended, allowing artists to donate a portion of their sales if they wish.
“Our mission is rooted in equity and access,” said Rubie. “We’re not trying to be a big-city museum. We’re building something that works for rural communities, something inclusive, affordable, and creative.”
The transition to a more formal arts center also positions the organization to better meet local needs. Ukiah has no year-round, accessible arts education facility. Public schools or community colleges can’t fill the gap alone. Artists are priced out of studios, and rural residents are often excluded from cultural offerings held in distant cities.
“We’re already offering drop-in artmaking and weekly watercolor sessions,” said Rubie. “But we want to go further. Shared studios. Youth classes. Performance space. A real home for creativity in Mendocino County. We are committed to making art accessible to everyone, no matter their background, income, or experience level. Our goal is to create a welcoming space where diverse voices are represented, and everyone feels they have a place to create, share, and grow.”
Expanded programming is already underway at the gallery, located inside the Pear Tree Center at 518 E. Perkins St. in Ukiah. New offerings, weekly watercolor classes, expanded open-mic nights, and drop-in art-making sessions highlight the shift from simply showcasing art to actively fostering artistic growth and collaboration across all skill levels. MEDIUM Art Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m.
As the organization continues to grow, fundraising and community support will be key. In addition to financial donations, community members are encouraged to get involved by volunteering, attending events, or sponsoring upcoming exhibitions and workshops. Individual donors, local businesses, and grant funders are all invited to help build this next chapter.
“We’re not changing who we are,” said Rubie. “We’re just making it easier for people to find us, support us, and be part of it.”
More information is available at www.mediumarts.org. Visitors can also sign up for our newsletter, follow us on social media, and stop by the gallery to see what’s new.
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