Art of Resistance

Think activism in Mendocino started with the hippies in the ’60s? Think again! Mendocino boasts a long history of political and social activism, and the Kelley House Museum’s latest exhibit showcases the powerful art that has demanded change across the eras. Marvel at the artistry behind historic posters for women’s suffrage, the Whale War boycott, and the Peace Fair. Have a laugh at the anti-war napkin art of the ’60s or feel the raw weight of the hand-drawn signs from today’s protest marches. This exhibit also features striking pieces from contemporary local creators, such as the story of Coyote depicted in Jewelina Acosta’s wall-sized painting. We are also proud to display incredible loaned works from Eric Wilder, Winsor Kinkade, Kiera Poehlmann, David Bacon, Lillian Galedo, Gerri Sorkin, John Hewitt, and more. Mendocino artists don’t just paint history – they shape it! View where we’ve been, feel the passion of the fight, and get inspired to use your voice, your markers, or your paintbrush to demand the change you wish to see in the world.

This exhibit was co-curated by Averee McNear, Kelley House Museum Curator, and Dav Bell, Mendocino Art Center Executive Director. Special thanks to Robert Dominy and Indivisible for documenting local protest movements, and to Carol Dominy for research assistance.

The Art of Resistance poster was made by Michelle Noe featuring artwork from Gerri Sorkin, Jacques Helfer, the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, and other unknown artists.

Exhibit runs September 3, 2026 – February 28, 2027

September – December: Thursday – Monday, 11AM-3PM

January – February: Friday – Sunday, 11AM-3PM