MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Middletown Art Center’s Restore project features a writers’ workshop with Clive Matson this Sunday, Dec. 9, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Adults and children age 12 and up are invited to write in the company of others in a safe a supportive environment.

A long-time Bay Area author and poet, Matson uses his own methodology based on his book “Let the Crazy Child Write!” to allow writers to delve into their unconscious and express that itch or urge that the creative unconscious wants to release.

As Matson expresses it, “We recognize three voices in the writer’s psyche: ‘Editor,’ ‘Writer’ and ‘Crazy Child’ — or creative unconscious. The Editor is the ‘should ‘ voice, as in: you should write everything perfectly the first time, you should make money with your writing, and, you should make no spelling errors. The Writer organizes your writing life, finds blank paper and pens that work, makes time to sit at the computer or go to a coffeehouse with a notebook. The Crazy Child is the urge to write, that itch in your psyche or body that wants to get out into the world. We’ll tell the Editor and Writer to take a walk and let your Crazy Child write whatever it wants.”

To learn more about Clive Matson, check out his Web site at http://matsonpoet.com/.

Please register in advance for all Restore classes at www.middletownartcenter.org/restore, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-809-8118. Space is limited and reservations are required.

Restore writing workshop participants will have opportunity to contribute to MAC’s second chapbook of writings and images, and to participate in quarterly readings or exhibition. The first chapbook, “Resilience – a community reframes disaster through art,” is available for purchase at MAC or on the MAC Web site.

The Restore project provides Lake County residents with low-cost art classes and the opportunity to learn or refine skills in a variety of materials and techniques. Classes take place most Saturdays through May 2019.

Fall and winter classes include creative writing and performance, drypoint etching, block printing, plaster, woodworking, felting, concrete, assemblage, and more. Late winter and spring classes will focus on a collaborative project for Phase I of a new Art Trail on Rabbit Hill, and on developing personal work for consideration for RESTORE exhibits around Lake County, at MAC, and at the EcoArts Sculpture Walk.

On Sunday, Dec. 16, from 1 to 5 p.m., Emily Scheibal will present “Plaster 1: Materials and Techniques.”

Restore classes will take a break until the New Year. Please preregister www.middletownartcenter.org/restore.

The Restore project was made possible with support from the California Arts Council, a state agency, with additional support from local organizations, businesses, and individuals. Visit www.ca.arts.gov to learn more about the California Arts Council’s important work in communities and schools throughout California.

On Saturday, Dec. 8, from 4 to 8 p.m., MAC will open it Members Holiday Show as part of Christmas in Middletown. There will also be an art market featuring Lake County artisans and artists during the holiday celebration. Open mic is Friday, Dec. 7, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Middletown Art Center is located at 21456 State Highway 175 at the junction of Highway 29.