MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Middletown Art Center is offering the “Surreal Collage Box – Mixed Media Assemblage” class this Saturday, Sept. 8, from 1 to 5 p.m. as part of the Restore project.

During the class participants will transform a finely-crafted cigar box into an expression of dreams, inner life, fantasy or treasures.

“We’ll engage in an artistic process of personal exploration and compositional considerations in 2-D and 3-D,” explained longtime artist and art educator Lauren Schneider who will be teaching the class.

MAC will provide cigar boxes, magazines, objects to choose from, paint, adhesives, inspiration and guidance.

Adults and teens 12-up of all levels of experience and skill with art making, newbie to pro, are invited bring photos, jewels, shells and mementos of all kinds to further personalize their work.

Space is limited so pre-registration is required at www.middletownartcenter.org/restore , or call 707-809-8118.

Restore workshops will run through May 2019. The project includes classes in sculpture, mixed media, creative writing and printmaking.

Through January, participants may come to one or many sessions and learn or refine skills in a variety of materials and techniques including clay, woodworking, metalworking, concrete, fiber, assemblage, drypoint and block printing among others.

Late winter and spring classes will focus on personal and collaborative projects, studio time, mentoring and guidance to create work.

MAC encourages folks to come to a series of classes and collaborate in project design and implementation for a new art walk on Rabbit Hill, and/or to work towards a large-scale personal work for exhibition at the EcoArts Sculpture Walk.

A public call for work for the sculpture walk will be posted in January. Entries to the sculpture walk will be juried.

The Restore project was made possible with support from the California Arts Council, a state agency, with additional support from local organizations, businesses, and individuals.

Learn more about Restore class scheduling at www.middletownartcenter.org. Visit www.ca.arts.gov to learn more about the California Arts Council’s important work in community’s and schools throughout California.

On Sunday Sept 16, also from 1 to 5 p.m., Russell Reza-Khaliq Gonzaga, Lake County Poet Laureate Emeritus, will return to MAC to lead the writers workshop a part of the Restore project.

On Sept. 29, the project will feature block printing with John Jennings. Both workshops will contribute to MAC’s second chapbook of writings and images, as well as work for readings or exhibition.

The first chapbook “Resilience - a community reframes disaster through art,” is available for purchase at MAC or on the MAC Web site.e

Be a part of the growing arts scene in South Lake County by becoming a MAC member, by joining MAC this Saturday and participating in Restore, or by coming to any of the many arts and cultural events or classes at MAC.

Visit www.middletownartcenter.org or like Middletown Art Center on Facebook to stay up to date with what’s happening at MAC.