The Explorations Program: Bringing Fine Arts To Rural Siskiyou

The Gallery is Awarded a Grant

Liberty Arts Contemporary Fine Art Gallery is a non-profit art gallery and exhibition space located in Yreka, CA. Their vision is to exhibit works from a broad base of individuals and groups in the community while offering a venue to guest artists bringing new works and ideas to residents. The gallery also provides educational outreach through the “Explorations” program.

The California Arts Council has announced it will award $5,950 to the Liberty Arts Contemporary Fine Art Gallery in Siskiyou County as part of their “Arts Education: Exposure” program. Exposure grants support projects like the “Explorations” program, as well as attendance at performances and exhibitions for students who may otherwise have limited access to these experiences. Siskiyou County is a rural area in northern California and its schools are remotely scattered throughout the county.

The Explorations Program

“Explorations” was created in 2008, giving educators a chance to introduce students to art in a gallery setting. There are many student visitors who have never been to a “real” art gallery before and some return with a parent in tow to share what they have seen.

“Studies have shown that projects like “Explorations” that offer real-world, authentic interaction with the arts have a rewarding effect on learning ability,” said Nashormeh Lindo, California Arts Council Chair. “These early life experiences can spark interests, provoke thought and build a student’s capacity for success. The path of what’s possible is widened by every opportunity to step outside the familiar.”

“Explorations” is a 90-minute program tailored to make the most out of student visits; beginning with an understanding of gallery etiquette, a docent tour and, most fun of all, a hands-on art project reflecting techniques, materials and media used by the artists. Students are introduced to the exhibition with anecdotes of how pieces have been made and stories of process and intention. They are encouraged to independently interact with the exhibited artwork and ask questions.

According to Bee Soule, a Liberty Arts docent, “Explorations” is now including summer sessions and the grant is helping to fund this expansion. “We are delighted!” Soule says, explaining, “In addition to adding the local youth corrections facility and two groups of Upward Bound students we are excited to be serving various adult groups as well, including two assisted-living senior centers, and two groups of developmentally disabled adults.”

This past summer, students from the Charlie Bird Youth Corrections Center and J. Everett Barr Court School were introduced to the gallery’s current exhibit. They were asked to notice the difference between figurative and abstract works, note the use of line added on top of an abstract background or defining more figurative subjects and then voice their ideas about the art. Each student was supplied with a professional grade canvas and acrylic medium and encouraged to use implements, such as palette knives, scrapers, sharpies or paint to create an artwork. They produced varied work and seemed pleased to be able to take it with them.

If you have a group that would benefit from Explorations, visit the website, or call (530) 842-0222. Liberty Arts Gallery is located at 108 W. Miner Street in Historic Downtown Yreka.