This is the Merced Multicultural Arts Center

The Merced Multicultural Arts Center is home to passion and energy, space and time, silence and sound, muse and artist--home to the arts. Watch our video.

Merced Multicultural Arts Center Galleries

Gallery Hours

Wednesday thru Thursday, 11AM - 7PM
Friday thru Saturday, 10AM - 5PM

Also available by appointment for special occasions. Viewing the galleries and attending all receptions are free and open to the public.

Exhibits

November 23 – February 3, 2012
Reception December 1

Becky Wilson's work is representational, often with odd pairings of symbols, landscapes, portraits, caricatures, cartoons, found objects, and iconic imagery of the 40s and 50s. Some find her paintings put a whimsical face on serious subjects. They are, in fact, personal and expressive manner that may invoke emotional connections and responses for some people.

James verDoon's work is a translation of the inner landscape to outer reality. It is not the revelation of a vision but the vision of a revelation. It's the panorama of what the artist has seen and the map of where he's been.

Successfully owned and operated by member artists for over a generation, the Arbor Gallery represents award winning artists who all live regionally and some of whom are known internationally. This exhibit is a time for them to showcase the best of the best.

February 8– February 25, 2012
Reception February 16

On the second floor of the Arts Center, Merced High School District's finest visual art students exhibit some of their finest work. Keeping the Arts Center's tradition to showcase the community's up-and-coming artists, this show is most of the students' first opportunity to show in a professional gallery, and interact with a wider public audience.

February 8 – April 13, 2012
Reception February 16

Just in time for Easter and Passover, Tamar Assaf's Animals of the Bible project is an exploration of the intricacies and complexities associated with the role animals play in the Old Testament, investigating linguistic and translation influences relating to how the meaning of animal references changed and evolved, over time and across cultures. Born and raised in Israel, having a great passion for painting animals, it was only natural for her to draw upon her cultural heritage and create this series.

February 29 – April 13, 2012
Reception March 2

Reflection Maya, a collection of art created by UC Merced Studio Art Students, lead by UC Merced lecturer, Tonya Lopez-Craig. Dr. Michael D. Coe, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology from Yale University will discuss The Popol Vuh and the Pursuit of the Maya Past at the reception.

April 18 – June 8, 2012
Reception April 26

6th Annual California Centered: Printmaking exhibit brings together a selection of the best in recent California printmaking. Dedicated exhibition galleries will feature the 2011 winners.

June 13 – September 7, 2012
Reception June 21

The Arts Council is proud to exhibit Rose Eager-Sabo, a pillar in the community and one of our most respected visual artists. Her show will not disappoint.

.Lisa Gilliland-Viney's Hands Merced County, is a collection of portraits—but not of faces. These hand portraits represent the array of cultures and traditions of Merced County and lift up the hard work of those who live here.


September 12 – November 16, 2012
Reception September 13

Members of CHAA agree that the process is the most important aspect of creating a unique and personal artwork. This exhibit will show the work in developmental stages. Using photos of different stages of the process exhibited alongside the finished product, the artists share the intimacies of their experiences and invited the viewer to be inventive, as well.

Professional artist and lecturer, Karen LeCocq is a mixed media sculptor who has shown nationally and internationally in galleries as well as major museums, among them: The Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY and the The Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art. Her work has gained international recognition through its use in the Absolut Vodka Signature Artist campaign. Her local exhibits are always fresh and inventive, and expand the viewer's perception of art.

Exhibits and dates may change without notice. The images and opinions expressed in artists' websites and in their exhibits at the Arts Center are not necessarily those of the City of Merced, Merced County Arts Council, their staff, Board, members or volunteers. Some content may contain mature themes or subject matter.

Showing work at the Merced Multicultural Art Center

Submissions accepted thru January 31, 2013 for exhibits begining November 2013. See below for general information and guidelines.

The Merced Multicultural Arts Center Galleries are a contemporary visual arts space located in downtown Merced, California. This 28,000 sq.' interdisciplinary fine arts and education facility also houses the offices of the Merced County Arts Council, a non profit 501c3 organization established in 1978 and relocated into its brand new facility in 1996 through a private/public partnership with the City of Merced. The Exhibitions Program provides professional exhibition opportunities in the heart of the Central Valley.

The Merced Multicultural Arts Center Galleries seek exhibition and diverse programming proposals from artists, curators, and collection lenders.

The Merced County Arts Council seeks artists primarily from California and will give priority to work that reflects the issues and lifestyle of the myriad cultures represented in Merced County. We encourage exhibits that lend to opportunities for community engagement or educational components for K12 schools. The Arts Council may design activities such as discussion groups about the issue or a lecture about the technique and strongly encourage the artists to participate.
Extraordinarily talented artists with a history of credible exhibits as well as varied artistic experience are high priority for the Main Gallery. For the second floor galleries, the Arts Council seeks up-and-coming local and regional artists (San Joaquin Valley) who may not have exhibited in the past, but can produce a well-rounded portfolio. The exhibit must have some level of artistic value and promise, as aesthetics are prioritized above content matter.

Proposals are open to all media including installation, new media, and performance art. Work must have been completed in the past three years unless part of a thematic grouping or retrospectives. Artists may also submit proposals for new works, providing samples of work representative for review.

For consideration, provide the following materials:

1) 10-15 images in the form of color photographs, reproductions, or PC compatible cd-rom/dvd. Do not send slides or original works. Provide a corresponding image list (hard copy) that includes title, media, date of creation and size of each work. Artists working in non-traditional formats may opt to submit a PC compatible cd-rom/dvd or website link. All other submission options contact MCAC for additional details.

2) Professional Resume including Exhibition Record

3) Exhibition Concept/Statement of Intent

4) Date Restrictions—Please remember exhibitions may be scheduled up to 18 months in advance.

5) S.A.S.E. for return of materials. Failure to provide will result in the disposal of materials at the Gallery's discretion post-review.

6) $15 Entry fee.

Send exhibition/programming proposals to:

MCAC Curatorial Committe
Merced Multicultural Arts Center
645 W. Main Street Merced, CA 95340

Please submit between December 1st and January 31st, 2013.