Mono Arts Council
MAC provides visual and performing arts education for K-12 students in school, after school, and during the summer. We ensure every student in Mono County has access to this VITAL part of their education. Arts education increases test scores and attendance. Making art supports good mental health and provides opportunities for social-emotional learning. Our adult programs, including Art & Wine, the gallery, and the Mammoth Lakes Arts on the 4th Festival help us raise money and awareness for arts education and give local artists a place to showcase their talents.
Join Mono Arts Council in celebrating 30 years as a non-profit! MAC gained non-profit status on June 5th, 1992. For the past 30 years we have provided arts education in Mono County Schools, hosted festivals during the summer, opened our Gallery + Community Arts Center to showcase local and regional artists, and started our popular Art & Wine program. Our small, but mighty, non-profit continues to grow and provide more arts for Mono County each year. Just in 2021, we added two new arts education programs, two new after-school programs, and a community art program for the residents of Bridgeport. We have big plans for 2022-2023, including a music program for the students of the Eastern Sierra Unified School District, more community arts programs, arts scholarships, and micro festivals throughout the County.
We need YOUR help to achieve these goals!
Celebrating 30 years!
What We Do
Arts Education
Our arts education programs are the core of our mission. Mono Arts Council partners with the Mono County Office of Education, the Mammoth Unified School District, and the Easterm Sierra Unified School District to fill the gaps in arts education. We provide highly skilled Teaching Artists and art supplies for a variety of programs from Kindergarten - 8th grade.
Last month, we launched what will hopefully be an annual program called the Cultural Arts Program. We brought back visiting artists Dandha da Hora and Papiba Godinho, from the Santa Cruz based band Samba Dá.
We launched the program in our smaller district, the Eastern Sierra Unified School District, where over 250 students in grades Kindergarten - 8th grade participated in this richly interactive program, where each school spent a week learning about Brazilian Culture through Capoeira, Song, Dance, Art, and Percussion. Each school had about 3-4 hours of rehearsal/learning time throughout the week for each group of students,
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and the end result was a fantastic assembly performance by each group at the end of the week. Each student decorated their own "Bucket Drum" in honor of the upcoming Carnival in Brazil, which they were able to keep and take home.
We would like to thank Chris Lizza, Dave Marquart & Connie Henderson, the Andruss Motel, and Mono County for their contributions that made this program possible.
In the Gallery
Special Guest Artist
CHRIS BENCHETLER
‘DRAWN FROM THE MOUNTAINS’
Chris Benchetler grew up in Mammoth and has been inspired by the mountains throughout his life. He reflects that “when you tap into your mind, the right line always reveals itself…on the mountain and on the canvas”. For more than two decades, Chris has dedicated his time and energy to the craft of translating his perspectives as a professional athlete to the design and creation of mixed mediums, with award-winning recognition. ‘Drawn from the Mountains’, is an exclusive collection by Chris Benchetler to recognize the 15th anniversary of his artwork as featured on his signature edition pro-model skis. Pairs from each year are showcased together for the first time ever on the walls of Mono Arts Council Gallery! The skis are accompanied by a collection of select artworks from his current fine art portfolio for a limited time in the MAC Gallery. These prints will be available for viewing and purchase.
The Exhibit will also feature a fundraiser raffle for a pair of Benchetler Fasani Foundation Signature 2023 skis and a Limited Edition Print of “A Hero’s Journey’. Proceeds will benefit the Mono Arts Council Arts Education Programs and the Benchetler Fasani Foundation.
‘Drawn from the Mountains’ opened for viewing on Friday, December 9th and will run through January 29th 2023.
The Art Reception to meet Chris will be held Friday, January 6th from 5:30-7:30pm at the MAC Gallery & Community Arts Center. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome.
