Our Community Artists
Flockworks relies on the leadership and creative initiative of local artists to undertake meaningful projects in the community.
What is a Flockworks Community Artist?
A Flockworks Community Artist is someone who has demonstrated leadership and initiative with creative arts that serves the community. A Community Artist can develop and undertake innovative outreach that engages children, youth, and others in the community.
Initiatives undertaken by Community Artists are recognized as Flockworks' sponsored activities and will be reflected in promotion, fundraising, and other related outreach. Community Artists are expected to keep records, document their projects, and help with fundraising and other outreach efforts that promote the Flockworks-sponsored initiative. A Memorandum of Understanding between Flockworks and each Community Artist defines the project's specifics.
Initiatives undertaken by Community Artists are recognized as Flockworks' sponsored activities and will be reflected in promotion, fundraising, and other related outreach. Community Artists are expected to keep records, document their projects, and help with fundraising and other outreach efforts that promote the Flockworks-sponsored initiative. A Memorandum of Understanding between Flockworks and each Community Artist defines the project's specifics.
Flockworks Artist Instructors
Joanna Wigginton - Creating Learning Team
An active member of Mendocino Coast community for more than 40 years, Joanna was a midwife and an educational leader/teacher. Since retiring, her art finally became a focus, yet her passion for teaching and working with children continues. She's curated community exhibits, offered workshops and open studios for others, and led the Little Free Libraries for All and the Community Bridges Initiative community projects.
An active member of Mendocino Coast community for more than 40 years, Joanna was a midwife and an educational leader/teacher. Since retiring, her art finally became a focus, yet her passion for teaching and working with children continues. She's curated community exhibits, offered workshops and open studios for others, and led the Little Free Libraries for All and the Community Bridges Initiative community projects.
Norma Trejo - Outreach Artist
Norma was born in Mexico and came to Fort Bragg, California as a child. Her love of the arts helped her cope with the challenges of language, culture, and the immigration experience. As a single mother with strong community roots, she brings a contemporary view to our focus on children. Norma was a Flockworks Studio Artist for the Dana Gray school working with 430 children. She has been exceptional in working with children, where her language/cultural skills, adaptability, and versatility are invaluable. She is equally capable of working with teachers and families at the school.
Norma was born in Mexico and came to Fort Bragg, California as a child. Her love of the arts helped her cope with the challenges of language, culture, and the immigration experience. As a single mother with strong community roots, she brings a contemporary view to our focus on children. Norma was a Flockworks Studio Artist for the Dana Gray school working with 430 children. She has been exceptional in working with children, where her language/cultural skills, adaptability, and versatility are invaluable. She is equally capable of working with teachers and families at the school.
Janet Self - Executive Director
Janet's first initiative was founding a nonprofit to foster community arts and creativity. She led the Art@OddFellows series in Mendocino for 12 years, with 135 exhibits that included thousands of local artists, including youth and children, and hosted 14,000 visitors annually. She spearheaded the Children's Banner Project taking creativity out into the community with murals, classroom projects, and special events. The Ocean Upwelling focused on our coastal ecosystem and ways to engage youth through art, science, and activism in partnership with the Noyo Center for Marine Science. She has been a mentor, advisor, and ally to other Community Artists, Exhibit leaders, and youth interns.
Janet's first initiative was founding a nonprofit to foster community arts and creativity. She led the Art@OddFellows series in Mendocino for 12 years, with 135 exhibits that included thousands of local artists, including youth and children, and hosted 14,000 visitors annually. She spearheaded the Children's Banner Project taking creativity out into the community with murals, classroom projects, and special events. The Ocean Upwelling focused on our coastal ecosystem and ways to engage youth through art, science, and activism in partnership with the Noyo Center for Marine Science. She has been a mentor, advisor, and ally to other Community Artists, Exhibit leaders, and youth interns.
Sally Rodriguez - Artist-In-Residence
She was undertaking Studio work (2019-21) and leading our YouthArt work with the Alternative Education Campus in Fort Bragg. She has worked on the Ocean Upwelling with Noyo Center for Marine Science and was part of COVID 2020 team to bring art to children. Sally brings a rich history as an artist in the Bay area and Montana before moving to the Mendocino Coast. She is a painter, muralist, and lover of horses.
She was undertaking Studio work (2019-21) and leading our YouthArt work with the Alternative Education Campus in Fort Bragg. She has worked on the Ocean Upwelling with Noyo Center for Marine Science and was part of COVID 2020 team to bring art to children. Sally brings a rich history as an artist in the Bay area and Montana before moving to the Mendocino Coast. She is a painter, muralist, and lover of horses.
How does someone become a Flockworks Community Artist?
It begins with a conversation about your idea, background, skills, and experience. Once a fit seems possible, a project concept is developed that includes the target group, outcome/impact, timeline, materials, and budget. The Flockworks’ Board reviews the idea with a focus on how the Community Art initiatives align with Flockworks’ mission and values and the resources available.
Meet our Board
Janet Self - Executive Director
Art became my focus in 2004. My work explores connectivity, flow, energy, rhythm, resonance, space, chance and intention, universal to singular. I founded Flockworks in 2006 as a nonprofit that builds community through creativity. Through Flockworks, I discovered much about my own creative drive. I love curating exhibits, doing large scale installations or helping others open their creative vision. It is thrilling to engage 450 young children in large scale mural or entice another adult to get hands-on. From soccer field, classroom, gallery to street corner, the community ripple we make became clear when a Hispanic grandmother stopped me on the street corner to thank me and talk about her grandchildren and the importance of art making. My prior professional life included 25 years of non-profit leadership focused on community development, fund raising, strategic planning, and collaboration. This background shapes me as an artist of community
Joanna Wigginton - Chair
An active member of Mendocino Coast community for more than 40 years, Joanna was a midwife and then an educational leader/teacher for years. Since her recent retirement from Caspar Creek Learning Center, 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. She led projects now on hold... Little Free Libraries for All and and Community Bridges Initiative as she spearheads Art@School / Art-for-Children Initiative.
Laura Welter - Board Member
Laura has been a member of the Mendocino Coast for more than 40 years. She was Executive Director for Safe Passage Family Resource Center until her retirement in 2019. She is an avid gardener and maker of imaginative succulent creations. She brings a deep commitment and history of serving community, families and children.
Kiersten Hanna - Treasurer
Kiersten is a small business owner with Braggadoon Signs & Graphics in Fort Bragg. Her love of art and community is evident as Braggadoon hosts mini-exhibits as part of 1st Friday Art Walk, and is involved in creative community projects through signs, posters, fliers and promotional design of all kinds. Her training in art combined with a special love of design, installations, exhibits and community make her a powerful member of the Flockworks Board.
Art became my focus in 2004. My work explores connectivity, flow, energy, rhythm, resonance, space, chance and intention, universal to singular. I founded Flockworks in 2006 as a nonprofit that builds community through creativity. Through Flockworks, I discovered much about my own creative drive. I love curating exhibits, doing large scale installations or helping others open their creative vision. It is thrilling to engage 450 young children in large scale mural or entice another adult to get hands-on. From soccer field, classroom, gallery to street corner, the community ripple we make became clear when a Hispanic grandmother stopped me on the street corner to thank me and talk about her grandchildren and the importance of art making. My prior professional life included 25 years of non-profit leadership focused on community development, fund raising, strategic planning, and collaboration. This background shapes me as an artist of community
Joanna Wigginton - Chair
An active member of Mendocino Coast community for more than 40 years, Joanna was a midwife and then an educational leader/teacher for years. Since her recent retirement from Caspar Creek Learning Center, 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. She led projects now on hold... Little Free Libraries for All and and Community Bridges Initiative as she spearheads Art@School / Art-for-Children Initiative.
Laura Welter - Board Member
Laura has been a member of the Mendocino Coast for more than 40 years. She was Executive Director for Safe Passage Family Resource Center until her retirement in 2019. She is an avid gardener and maker of imaginative succulent creations. She brings a deep commitment and history of serving community, families and children.
Kiersten Hanna - Treasurer
Kiersten is a small business owner with Braggadoon Signs & Graphics in Fort Bragg. Her love of art and community is evident as Braggadoon hosts mini-exhibits as part of 1st Friday Art Walk, and is involved in creative community projects through signs, posters, fliers and promotional design of all kinds. Her training in art combined with a special love of design, installations, exhibits and community make her a powerful member of the Flockworks Board.