The Board of Directors of the Arts Council of Mendocino County is pleased to announce the 2026 Mendocino County Arts Champion Honorees.
Mendocino County Arts Champions, nominated each year by community members and selected by the Arts Council of Mendocino County board of directors are recognized in the following categories: Artist: Dr. Wenbo Yin; Individual: Chris Pugh; Educator; Marilyn Bohlen Simpson, Arts Organization: Pacific Textile Arts, Business: Shanachie Pub, and Honorable Mention: the Lot on Main. The honorees this year were nominated in April 2026, in honor of California Arts Culture and Creativity Month.
Dr. Wenbo Yin, 2026 Honoree in the Artist Category, is a saxophonist, wind conductor, and musicians’ wellness coach noted for his bold, versatile artistry across a variety of genres. He has performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, collaborated with Grammy-winning artists, won the Beverly Hills National Auditions, and played principal saxophone with prominent groups. Dr. Yin is faculty and the director of Jazz Ensemble and Symphonic Wind at Mendocino College.
As co-founder of the One Heart Institute, a nonprofit organization that integrates music, wellness, and holistic practices, Wenbo is dedicated to supporting the well-being of musicians and individuals alike. He has facilitated music and mindfulness workshops in the U.S., Bhutan, and China, and continues to develop the Tai Chi for Musicians workshop, offered at various universities and institutions. Wenbo is also a certified wellness provider for music industry professionals with Backline Care and supports wellness work with the Ukiah Parkinson’s group.
He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Saxophone Performance, Wind Conducting, and Jazz from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). He also embarked on an extended journey of study in Tai Chi, philosophy, and contemplative practice at Dharma Realm Buddhist University in Ukiah, deepening the integration between music-making and inner cultivation.
Chris Pugh, Honoree in the Individual Category, is a photographer, writer, newspaper editor, and community arts organizer based in Ukiah, California. He is co-founder of Medium Art Center, a nonprofit community arts organization dedicated to supporting artists through accessible exhibitions, workshops, youth programming, and creative community events. In addition to his work in the arts, Pugh writes the personal-essay newsletter Incremental Outcome on Substack where he explores creativity, small-town life, photography, memory, and the complicated experience of trying to live intentionally in a messy world.
Pugh shares: “I’ve always believed that art matters because people matter. Small communities deserve spaces where creativity, experimentation, and connection can happen without barriers. I’m grateful to be part of a community that continues to support artists and the idea that culture is something we build together.”
Marilyn Bohlen Simpson, Honoree in the Educator Category, was born and raised in suburban Chicago and Keokuk, Iowa. She graduated from Principia College near St. Louis, where she met her husband Jeff. They returned to his hometown of Ukiah in 1972 have been here ever since, except for a two-year stint at San Francisco State University, where Marilyn earned her Master’s Degree in Music History and Literature. She began teaching voice at Mendocino College in 1986, and has enjoyed helping students improve their singing and increase their self-confidence ever since, finally retiring from the college this May. Over the years, she sang in and did vocal coaching for a number of musical theatre productions at Ukiah Players Theatre and Mendocino College. She is still active singing in several small local groups, and is treasurer of the Ukiah Community Concert Association and of her church. She is continuing to teach voice privately in her home.
Pacific Textile Arts, Honoree in the Arts Organization category, is a volunteer-run educational nonprofit existing to support, share and celebrate the fiber arts. This year marks their 30th year! www.pacifictextilearts.org/history/
Shanachie Pub, located at 50 S. Main St. in Willits, is the arts champion in the business category. Shanachie Pub is the home for original music in Mendocino Co., offering 20 taps with micro brews. A community nominator shares: “Owner Pete Swanton has created THE place in Inland Mendocino County for musicians and fans of live music for more than two decades. Shanachie consistently draws bands from all over California and the Pacific Northwest, and their Open Mic night provides a forum for all types of musicians to test out new material and find new audiences. Musicians love him because he’s fair and generous, and patrons love him because he and his booking staff know that variety is the spice of life. We all know there’s not usually a lot happening in our small towns after 7pm, put at Shanacie Pub you can find live music and good feelings almost every night of the week. Pete has opened many businesses over the years in Willits and Laytonville including the Pub, Main St Music and Video, and Flying Dog Pizza & Records. All of these businesses have kept culture alive in Willits and have made neighbors friends.”
An Honorable Mention this year goes to The Lot on Main. Founder Nick Johnson shares: “This is a community space, and in order to make this space special, it truly takes the community. As you can see, there are ‘A Lot’ (haha) more people in the picture than just me. We all make this happen, together. The artists, the musicians, the vendors, the visionaries, the vibe setters, the helpers, the supporters, the community, it takes all of us coming together to make this possible. All I did was name a vacant Lot on Main Street.”
