UKIAH, CA., 5/18/25 – After years of being known by two names, a local arts organization is rebranding under one: MEDIUM Art Center.
Founded in 2021, the Deep Valley Arts Collective has presented art exhibitions, community workshops and special events at its MEDIUM Art Gallery in Pear Tree Center in Ukiah.
While the exhibitions and events have been a success, the nonprofit’s names have always required explanations and perplexed visitors and donors.
“We’ve always had two names, Deep Valley Arts Collective for the nonprofit and MEDIUM Art Gallery for our space in the Pear Tree Center,” co-founder and executive director Lillian Rubie said. “Having ‘collective’ in our name caused a lot of confusion. People thought we were a private club or a co-op. The new name, MEDIUM Art Center, makes it clear we’re a public community art center, open to everyone.”
According to co-founder and vice president Chris Pugh, opening an art center in Ukiah was the nonprofit’s long-term goal.
“We’ve always wanted to create an arts center,” he said, “The gallery was just the first step. It gave us a starting point, a place to gather and grow. Now we’re expanding into the full vision we always hoped for, a center where creativity is accessible for everyone.”
According to Pugh and Rubie, there is no year-round accessible arts education facility in Ukiah. “Public schools or community colleges can’t fill the gap alone. Artists are priced out of studios, and rural residents are often excluded from cultural offerings held in distant cities,” they said.
MEDIUM Art Center will continue to exhibit juried art shows featuring experienced and amateur artists from throughout the region. They’re also planning to offer shared studio space for artists.
The center will also offer an expanded array of classes, workshops and community events, including open mic nights and opportunities for artists of all experience levels – or simply the art-curious – to get creative and explore the visual arts through hands-on activities.
As an organization, the center will also invest more time and energy into fundraising and increasing community support for its work by providing volunteer opportunities and ways for individuals, businesses and grantmakers to support its mission and vision of a Ukiah Valley arts community for everyone.
“Our goal is to create a welcoming space where diverse voices are represented,” Rubie said, “and everyone feels they have a place to create, share and grow.”
Learn more about MEDIUM Art Center and it’s offerings at mediumarts.org.
Lin Due contributed to this article.