MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – It’s been almost a year since the Valley, Rocky and Jerusalem Fires re-defined the natural landscape and life in South Lake County.

This phase of our recovery coupled with the hot weather and fire season have been particularly stressful and sensitive for many of the fire survivors.

Between Aug. 6 and 22, the Middletown Art Center, or MAC, will offer all Lake County residents opportunities to process and reframe the tragic, life changing experiences of last summer through a creative healing arts program called “Community Works.”

MAC, in partnership with Tri Uplifting, invites all residents and neighbors, directly and indirectly affected by the fires, to participate in a journey of self-expression, release and healing through the arts, movement and mindfulness.

Each day of this two-week series offers enriching, creative and healing arts classes and workshops for all ages. The daily schedule will include yoga, meditation or breath work in the mornings followed by late morning or mid day art classes, an after-school series for children, and evening classes for adults or the whole family.

You will find a range of classes including “Putting Words and Art Together” (which kicks the program off this Saturday, Aug. 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), print making, mask making, classes focused on combining sculpture with movement and writing, “Drawing the Inside Out,” watercolors, jewelry making, sculpture, stress relief techniques, community dance, sound healing, music and more.

All activities will be free of charge and everyone is welcome regardless of art experience.

Schedules will be available on the Middletown Art Center’s Facebook page, on the MAC Web site, www.MiddletownArtCenter.org and on the MAC outdoor bulletin board.  Please check the Web site for updates.

These inspiring creative happenings will culminate in an exhibition and festive opening reception of Community Works at MAC on Aug. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m., featuring work produced by participants.

The public is invited to submit art work that deals with the fire experience created outside of the program as well. Submissions of work created at home are due by Aug. 18. Email image files or questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 707-809-8118.

The exhibit will be on view through Labor Day weekend (Sept. 5).

“Members of our community have gone through tremendous loss and trauma … We encourage everyone to take the time to nurture themselves, and give form and voice to their experience through the arts.” said Lisa Kaplan, president of the Middletown Art Center. “'Community Works' provides all of us with an opportunity to process, reframe and release the devastation and chaos into self expression and beauty, while honoring the resilience of our own human spirit and the natural world around us. Come to as many or as few classes as you wish, they all free and available to everyone during these two weeks to support our continued recovery. The arts are healing. Experiment enjoy and enrich yourself!”

In advance of the Mindfulness Triathlon that will be put on by Tri Uplifting on Sept. 17 in Middletown’s Library Park, members of the Tri Uplifting organization will be offering a sampling of their practices including guided mediation, yoga, and mindfulness as part of Community Works.

For more information about Community Works and the schedule of classes offered, visit www.MiddletownArtCenter.org , or find them on Facebook. To reserve your spot, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-809-8118. Drop-ins are welcome.

MAC was made by community for community and is a growing arts and cultural hub in south Lake County powered by membership, donations and volunteer energy.

MAC offers classes, art exhibits, and cultural events including music, artist presentations and film screenings. To submit artwork for consideration, teach a class, join or support MAC visit www.middletownartcenter.org or contact by email or phone. All donations to MAC are tax-deductible.

Community Works is made possible through generous support of Roby and Associates, a public insurance adjuster, and by Lake County Rising Valley Fire Relief Fund.

MAC is located at 21456 Highway 175, at the junction of Highway 29 in Middletown.

The gallery is now open Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Friday, noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; or by appointment.