Flockworks is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization successfully supporting community creativity and local arts initiatives since 2006.
We mobilize resources, talent and time, as a ‘platform' for community artists to support collaborative art and creative initiatives. We add visibility and access to local arts through exhibits, events, public art, hands-on experiences and collective efforts. We see art and creativity as everyone's birthright and actively reach out to those with little access to creative opportunities. We believe creative threads tie us together as a community, and positively shape our culture.
"The act of creating cultivates courage, insight, patience and hope. It opens a new understanding of the world and can positively shape people and community!"
~ Janet Self, Artist & Flockworks' founder .
Flockworks Community Artists
Flockworks draws on artists and "creatives" who have vision, leadership and initiative to serve the wider community through art and creative engagement. A Flockworks' Community Artist is someone willing to follow their creative passion, ready to become a leader in the community and able to follow-through to make a big idea come to life. While drawing on the talents and ideas of others, they ensure the project moves forward. From the beginning, Flockworks has been driven by individuals ready to step up and make things happen. In 2016, we formalized the concept of " Community Artist" and are evolving the organization to facilitate this approach.
Joanna Wiggington has been an active member of Mendocino Coast community for more than 40 years as midwife and then, educational leader/teacher. Since retiring, her own art finally became a focus, yet her passion for teaching and working with children continues. She's participated in and curated community exhibits, and offered workshops and open studio time for others. Currently, she leads two projects: Little Free Libraries for All and and Community Bridges Initiative.
Janet Self, our Executive Director, is also our longest running Community Artist. Her first initiative was founding Flockworks as a nonprofit to foster community arts and creativity. Janet led the Art@OddFellows series in Mendocino for 11 years, which had 135 exhibits that included thousands of local artists, including youth and children and hosted 14,000 visitors annually. She's also spearheaded the Children's Banner Project since 2008 taking creativity out into the community with murals, classroom projects and special events. Her most recent project is The Ocean Upwelling Initiative which focuses on our coastal ecosystem engaging youth through art, science and activism.
Lia Wilson is heading up The Alleyway Art Project. It's an ambitious plan to connect local artists with sponsoring organizations and businesses to bring glorious public art to the alleyways and overlooked spaces of Fort Bragg, CA. She's a jeweler with a passion for public art.
Ariela Marshall led our focus on at-risk youth called SAIL Youth (Self-Empowered Art-integrated Learning for Youth). She brought art to the Alternative Education campus in Fort Bragg and undertook related outreach with Youth Project, Project Sanctuary, Teen Court and Safe Passages. A recent move to the Washington State has left a big gap in our focus on young people that we hope to fill in the coming year.