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."

HERE WE ARE: Disability Pride in California

July 1, 2026
,
9:00 am
July 31, 2026
,
3:00 pm

Art Explorers presents HERE WE ARE: Disability Pride in California, a group exhibition featuring artwork from progressive art studios across the state. Throughout the month, we will also host presentations and talks by artists and advocates to increase visibility and awareness within our community. The exhibition will culminate in a closing party on July 24th with a special guest speaker, and followed by a dance party at the Art Explorers studio.

Here is a list of our Friday programming throughout the month at 333 N. Franklin St., Fort Bragg:

Friday, July 3
First Friday Open Studio from 5 – 7pm ~ featuring the Art Explorers Puppet Parade at 6pm.

Friday, July 17
Disabilities Services panel, 2 – 3:30pm ~ Join us to hear about all the other nonprofits and disability services organizations in Mendocino County. We will have short presentations from Parents and Friends, MATCH, Circle of Horses, Compass, UVAH and the Redwood Coast Regional Center, and a Q & A session afterwards. This is a great way to learn about what is being offered in our county.

Friday, July 24
“Conversations for a Kinder World: How Your Voice Can Inspire Change,” 4 – 5pm ~ A Zoom presentation by human rights advocate Nicole Adler, nicoleforlove.comThe closing reception and dance party for HERE WE ARE will follow from 5 – 7pm.

Art Explorers presents HERE WE ARE: Disability Pride in California, a group exhibition featuring artwork from progressive art studios across the state. Throughout the month, we will also host presentations and talks by artists and advocates to increase visibility and awareness within our community. The exhibition will culminate in a closing party on July 24th with a special guest speaker, and followed by a dance party at the Art Explorers studio.

Here is a list of our Friday programming throughout the month at 333 N. Franklin St., Fort Bragg:

Friday, July 3
First Friday Open Studio from 5 – 7pm ~ featuring the Art Explorers Puppet Parade at 6pm.

Friday, July 17
Disabilities Services panel, 2 – 3:30pm ~ Join us to hear about all the other nonprofits and disability services organizations in Mendocino County. We will have short presentations from Parents and Friends, MATCH, Circle of Horses, Compass, UVAH and the Redwood Coast Regional Center, and a Q & A session afterwards. This is a great way to learn about what is being offered in our county.

Friday, July 24
“Conversations for a Kinder World: How Your Voice Can Inspire Change,” 4 – 5pm ~ A Zoom presentation by human rights advocate Nicole Adler, nicoleforlove.comThe closing reception and dance party for HERE WE ARE will follow from 5 – 7pm.

Art Explorers at the Music Fest!

July 11, 2026
,
10:00 am
July 25, 2026
,
5:00 am

UPSIDE DOWN MYSTERY CREATURES

July 1, 2026
,
11:00 am
July 31, 2026
,
10:00 pm

UPSIDE DOWN MYSTERY CREATURES at Piaci Pub and Pizzeria
Piaci Pub and Pizzeria, 120 W Redwood Ave, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
July 1 – 31

For the month, the walls of one of our favorite local restaurants will feature colorful paintings of wondrous creatures made by one of the AE studio's most prolific artists! Swing by, have a pie, and take in the magic.

UPSIDE DOWN MYSTERY CREATURES at Piaci Pub and Pizzeria
Piaci Pub and Pizzeria, 120 W Redwood Ave, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
July 1 – 31

For the month, the walls of one of our favorite local restaurants will feature colorful paintings of wondrous creatures made by one of the AE studio's most prolific artists! Swing by, have a pie, and take in the magic.

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Thank You For in-kind donations