MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The public is cordially invited to the opening reception for “Holding Opposites” at the Middletown Art Center this Saturday, April 7, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The exhibit will be on view through May 20.

Holding opposites or “holding the tension of opposites” is the notion of making peace with the simultaneous existence of paradox, opposites and contrasts. They are all around and within us.

The exhibit features work by Lake County artists in a broad variety of media and includes diverse approaches to the theme from spiritual, psychological, social, conceptual and formal perspectives.

On May 26 MAC will open Resilience continuing the EcoArts tradition of “art in dialogue with nature.” Resilience is also the name of MAC’s current community art making project inspired by the power and beauty of nature’s resilient recovery as well as our own recovery post fires.

Submissions in any media are due via email May 6 and will be exhibited in the gallery and outdoor art Garden at MAC.

MAC plans to reopen the EcoArts Sculpture Walk at the Trailside Park in 2019. Visit www.middletownartcenter.org/artists to learn how to submit work for consideration to Resilience and other upcoming MAC exhibits.

The Resilience project has provided classes for adults and children age 12 and up in photography, creative writing, painting and printmaking that cycle every first through fourth Saturday or Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. since June 2017.

Resilience culminates in May with exhibits of artwork in several locations throughout the county, and a chapbook of poetry and images created during the project.

Resilience classes continue through May 20 and cost just $5 thanks to support from the California Arts Council, a state agency, and Adventist Health.

“This weekend April 7 features photography. The class will focus on nature in her Spring glory and include a field trip to a nearby location. If you don’t have a digital camera, you can use your cell phone and learn more about composing strong images,” said Project Director Lisa Kaplan “All levels of experience professionals to newbies are encouraged to attend and join us in documenting the beauty that surrounds us this spring!”

Please wear hiking shoes and bring a hat and water bottle. Preregister or learn more at www.middletownartcenter.org/resilience.

The Middletown Art Center is located at the junction of Highways 175 and 29 in the heart of Middletown.