Art Explorers

Where Creativity Thrives

Our Impact

• Art Explorers is the only progressive art studio in Mendocino County. Our program has been running for more than 24 years.

• Art Explorers supports artists by exhibiting and selling artwork in our studio gallery and online shop, and by seeking out opportunities at national and international venues for broader visibility. Artists retain 50% of sales.

• The Art Explorers studio is a place to build community and be recognized as a working artist. We are proud to a part of the local art scene.

Who We Are

Art Explorers, Inc. is a creative arts program and progressive studio in Fort Bragg, California, serving physically disabled and neurodivergent adult artists. We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation. Our mission is to provide a fun, nurturing, non-judgmental, and artistically stimulating environment for creativity to thrive!

Robyn and Stell with their artMike Smart working.Co-Director Maria Trombetta with Jerry TurnerKevin Pearl working on his artJackson Deyerle working

Our Impact

• Art Explorers is the only progressive art studio in Mendocino County. Our program has been running for more than 24 years.

• Art Explorers supports artists by exhibiting and selling artwork in our studio gallery and online shop, and by seeking out opportunities at national and international venues for broader visibility. Artists retain 50% of sales.

• The Art Explorers studio is a place to build community and be recognized as a working artist. We are proud to a part of the local art scene.

Who We Are

Art Explorers, Inc. is a creative arts program and progressive studio in Fort Bragg, California, serving physically disabled and neurodivergent artists. We are a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation. Our mission is to provide a fun, nurturing, non-judgmental, and artistically stimulating environment for creativity to thrive!

Robyn and Stell with their artMike Smart working.Co-Director Maria Trombetta with Jerry TurnerKevin Pearl working on his artJackson Deyerle making his art

"We believe that creative thought and expression is a universal right - without rules, restrictions, or cultural boundaries. Our studio is an inclusive space that upholds this belief and our philosophy is rooted in a total respect for individuals and their communities, and in the foundation that all people have a unique artistic voice that deserves to be heard."

STUDIO WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITY

Art Explorers is launching a new Studio Workshop Program that will bring creative community members into the studio on a monthly basis to work with Art Explorers artists. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know the Art Explorers community while sharing your passion through a series of four informal workshop sessions!
We are especially interested in hearing from writers, performers, and visual artists working in digital arts, sound, ceramics, textiles, painting, and drawing.
This opportunity involves a monthly commitment to a four-session workshop series, with each workshop lasting 3 hours from 10 AM – 1 PM at the Art Explorers studio in the heart of downtown Fort Bragg. Visiting instructors should come prepared to engage a range of participants in a flexible and relaxed studio environment. Instructors will have access to studio materials, or they are welcome to bring their own.
To apply send us a detailed description of the workshop you are proposing that includes:
1. What will you and studio artists create?
2. What are your expected outcomes?
3. What supplies will you need? Please provide a budget (most workshops run from $300–$500).
4. What do you hope to gain by teaching a project-based workshop at Art Explorers?
If you are interested in sharing your passion with this amazing community, please email your proposal to Program Director Maria Trombetta at maria@artexplorers.org with the subject line: Studio Workshop Instructor.
Art Explorers is launching a new Studio Workshop Program that will bring creative community members into the studio on a monthly basis to work with Art Explorers artists. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know the Art Explorers community while sharing your passion through a series of four informal workshop sessions!
We are especially interested in hearing from writers, performers, and visual artists working in digital arts, sound, ceramics, textiles, painting, and drawing.
This opportunity involves a monthly commitment to a four-session workshop series, with each workshop lasting 3 hours from 10 AM – 1 PM at the Art Explorers studio in the heart of downtown Fort Bragg. Visiting instructors should come prepared to engage a range of participants in a flexible and relaxed studio environment. Instructors will have access to studio materials, or they are welcome to bring their own.
To apply send us a detailed description of the workshop you are proposing that includes:
1. What will you and studio artists create?
2. What are your expected outcomes?
3. What supplies will you need? Please provide a budget (most workshops run from $300–$500).
4. What do you hope to gain by teaching a project-based workshop at Art Explorers?
If you are interested in sharing your passion with this amazing community, please email your proposal to Program Director Maria Trombetta at maria@artexplorers.org with the subject line: Studio Workshop Instructor.

Kite Day

May 30, 2026
,
11:00 am
May 30, 2026
,
1:00 pm

Join us again this year at Noyo Headlands Park for another joyful afternoon of flying handmade kites created by Art Explorers artists!

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM enter at South (Taco Bell) Entrance at the west end of Cypress St., Fort Bragg

Bring your own kite or try one of ours and help us fill the sky with color and creativity. We can’t wait to see you there!

Join us again this year at Noyo Headlands Park for another joyful afternoon of flying handmade kites created by Art Explorers artists!

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM enter at South (Taco Bell) Entrance at the west end of Cypress St., Fort Bragg

Bring your own kite or try one of ours and help us fill the sky with color and creativity. We can’t wait to see you there!

First Friday: Stella Curates, I Love Dogs

May 1, 2026
,
5:00 pm
May 1, 2026
,
7:00 pm

Join us this First Friday in May at the Art Explorers studio for Stella Curates: I Love Dogs, featuring artwork by the month’s selected artist, Andrew Flores.

Stella is the first curator in our AE Artists Curate series, and we couldn’t be more excited to kick things off with her! Throughout the year, Art Explorers studio artists will curate month-long exhibitions in the gallery, each selecting a featured artist to highlight.

Celebrate with us at the opening on May 1st from 5–7pm ~ explore the show, check out new merch, and support our wonderful community. This event is free and open to all.

The studio will be open and the gallery will feature the group exhibition, alongside
work by our May featured artist, Andrew Flores.

Join us this First Friday in May at the Art Explorers studio for Stella Curates: I Love Dogs, featuring artwork by the month’s selected artist, Andrew Flores.

Stella is the first curator in our AE Artists Curate series, and we couldn’t be more excited to kick things off with her! Throughout the year, Art Explorers studio artists will curate month-long exhibitions in the gallery, each selecting a featured artist to highlight.

Celebrate with us at the opening on May 1st from 5–7pm ~ explore the show, check out new merch, and support our wonderful community. This event is free and open to all.

The studio will be open and the gallery will feature the group exhibition, alongside
work by our May featured artist, Andrew Flores.

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Thank You For in-kind donations