MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The Middletown Art Center invites adults of all ages and teens 12 and up to join the second monthly cycle of Resilience classes.

MAC will offer “Writing Resilience” with Bay Area author and poet Clive Matson on Saturday, July 8, and “Photographing Resilience” with local photographer Shane Powers on Sunday, July 9.

Classes run from noon to 5 p.m. and cost just $5.

All levels of experience from newbies to seasoned photographers, artists and writers are welcome to participate in the Resilience project. Bring a notebook, tablet or laptop for Writing Resilience, and any camera you have, including a cell phone, to Photographing Resilience.

The public is welcome to come to one class or many.

Resilience classes in Painting and Printmaking will follow on July15 and 22, respectively. Please preregister at www.middletownartcenter.org/resilience as space is limited. Bring or plan to purchase lunch or snacks.

“I’m pleased to be a member of the photography class at Middletown Art Center,” said photographer Ruth Stierna. “Our first class last month was fun and inspiring! I learned a lot in just one session and recommend the classes to artists and learners of photography with cameras from point and shoot, to iPhone and Android, to DSLRs of all kinds. It’s going to be an interesting experience improving our photo taking art while focusing on the topic of local resilience!”

Thanks to a Local Impact Grant from the California Arts Council and additional local support to fund the project, MAC is able to provide low cost, broad access to the arts from June through May.

Each month, classes are offered the first through fourth Saturdays: Week 1 - photography, week 2 - creative writing, week 3 - painting, week 4 - printmaking.

Resilience focuses on nature’s recovery and rebound as an inspiration and mirror for our own resilience after the fires of 2015 and 2016.

The project will culminate in a chapbook of writings and images entitled “Resilience” as well as countywide exhibitions of participant’s work.

People of all backgrounds, abilities and experience are encouraged to attend and engage with the arts and creative expression through the Resilience project.

Details about classes and exceptions to scheduling due to holidays are posted at www.middletownartcenter.org/resilience . The schedule provides connection to Lake Transit from Clearlake for those who want to use public transportation. MAC can assist with class or bus fees for those in need. Please call 707-809-8118 to inquire.

Middletown Art Center is a local nonprofit dedicated to providing art opportunities, art education, cultural enrichment, and ecological awareness, contributing to the social and economic well being of rural Lake County. MAC’s operations are supported by donations and membership as well as sales in the gallery.

Visit www.middletownartcenter.org to learn about MAC’s current exhibit or how you can support MAC and the arts in Lake County.