MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Join the Middletown Art Center on Saturday, March 20, at 6:30 p.m. for a live-streamed virtual opening reception of Middletown Art Center’s new exhibit, “Apart and Connected” on Zoom​.

The exhibit features a broad variety of expressions of separation and connection as we mark one year of pandemic challenges.

Enjoy work by artists you are familiar with as well as work by artists new to MAC. Also on view is Nicholas Hay’s series, Strategies for Sanity and ceramic works from Cobb Mountain Art and Ecology Project artists.

The MAC is also celebrating six years of operations and its 42nd gallery exhibit, having opened in March 2015, just six months before the Valley Fire.

The MAC has become a dynamic and vibrant center for the arts and culture, helping to galvanize the community through the challenges of sheltering in place, social distancing ​and continuous years of wildfires.

MAC has been leveraging digital tools to offer virtual exhibits, opening receptions, and workshops to continue to provide arts and cultural engagement and enrichment for the people of Lake County during the pandemic.

The opening reception will be hosted by MAC Co-curator Nicola Chipps, a former art and design consultant at ​Ærena​ Galleries in the Napa Valley.

"We are thrilled about the new work, new artists, and an addition of a featured series of work in the small gallery", said Nicola. "The opening reception for Apart and Connected will be shorter than our two previous virtual openings, and we'll save most of our Conversations with Artists for additional events to enjoy in the weeks to come."

Ceramic artists from around the country come together to join Scott Parady, founder of Cobb Mountain Art & Ecology Project, at his property nestled in the forest.

“One of the amazing draws to this facility is the Anagama kiln, a 250 cubic foot tube-shaped kiln built into the hillside,” said artist-in-residence Jacque Adams, who is also the operations coordinator at MAC. “The Anagama fires for nine days on a mixture of hard and soft wood, sourced and processed from the property. The laborious firing takes a team of dedicated artists, and is no easy feat.”

An impressive display of ceramic artwork from the latest firing is on view as part of the exhibit.

To join the virtual opening reception visit www.middletownartcenter.org where you will find a link to register for the Zoom event. The opening will also be livestreamed on Facebook from MAC’s page.

“Apart and Connected” is on view through June 20.

The MAC Gallery is open Thursday through Monday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or by appointment 707-809-8118.

The MAC continues to adjust and innovate during this time of COVID-19. Social distancing and masking are always observed.

Find out more about events, programs, opportunities, and ways to support and celebrate the MAC’s efforts to weave the arts and culture into the fabric of life in Lake County ​at www.​middletownartcenter.org.​