Annual Mendocino County Art Champion Awards

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 30^th 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.”

About the Arts Champions

BUSINESS CHAMPIONS FOR THE ARTS 

Businesses in this category demonstrate significant regional or countywide support for the arts. Support can be in the form of grants, underwriting, major sponsorship, in-kind donations, and/or volunteer support. These businesses not only understand the benefits of the arts to creating vital communities and strengthening local economies and education, but their contributions significantly benefit the wider community as well. Businesses honored: Shanachie Pub (2026) Braggadoon (2024/25) Pear Tree Center/Cire Equity ( 2023) Gallery Bookshop & Bookwinkle’s Children’s Books (2022), Black Oak Coffee (2021), Willits Weekly (2020), Frankie’s Pizza and Ice Cream (2019), The Green Room (2018), Headlands Coffeehouse (2017), Savings Bank of Mendocino County (2016), North Coast Brewing Company (2015), Arena Theater (2014), John Chan Plumbing (2013), Gualala Arts Center (2012), Visit Mendocino County, Inc./Mendocino County Lodging Association (2011), Community Foundation of Mendocino County (2010), Harvest Market (2009), Ukiah Music Center (2008), The Willits Nickel & Dime (2007), KOZT FM (2006), Sea Ranch Properties (2005), The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens (2004), and Fetzer Vineyards (2003).

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS FOR THE ARTS

Individuals in this category demonstrate significant regional or countywide support for the arts, in the form of grants, underwriting, major sponsorship, in-kind donations, and/or volunteerism. These individuals not only understand the contributions of the arts to creating vital communities and strengthening local economies and education, but their contributions significantly benefit the wider community as well. Individual Arts Champions: Chris Pugh (2026) Lolli Jacobsen (2024/25) Jess Thompson (2023) Yoli Rose (2022), Larry R. Wagner (2021), Gary Martin (2020), Don Willis (2019), Albert Repovsch (2018), Janet Self (2017), Debbie Bowles (2016), Mary Ann Villwock (2015), Spencer Brewer (2014), Jill Schmuckley (2013), Van Phillips (2012), Pattie DeMatteo (2011), Katie Gibbs (2010), Helen Klembeck (2009), Jay Gordon (2008), Robert Rhoades (2007), David Hance (2006), Creek and Kitty Norris (2005), Skip and Barbara Newell (2004), and Jean Slonecker (2003).

ARTIST CHAMPIONS 

Artists in this category demonstrate artistic excellence in their chosen discipline (visual arts, crafts, music, dance, literature, poetry, performance, etc.). In addition, these artists demonstrate a commitment to strengthening their community by using their artistic accomplishments to benefit the wider community. Artist Champions: Dr. Wenbo Yin (2026) Lonnie Lopez (2024/25) Solange Roberdeau (2023), Nick Schwartz of Cider Creek Collective (2022), Corine Pearce (2021), Lauren Sinnott (2020), Jaye Alison Moscariello (2019), Nick Schwartz (2019), Cathleen Micheaels (2018), Adele Pruitt (2017), Elliot Little (2016), Ginny Rorby (2015), Judy Geer Linney (2014), Bryan Arnold (2013), Laura Fogg (2012), Elizabeth Raybee (2011), Juvenal Vasquez (2010), Ann Maglinte (2009), Kevin Wells (2008), John Fisher (2007), Blake More (2006), Mac and Kate Magruder (2005), Mildred Norseen Pinkham (2004), and Walter Green (2003).

EDUCATION CHAMPIONS  FOR THE ARTS

Champions in this category are individuals, organizations and schools, honored for creating exemplary art education programs that enhance learning through the development of best practices in art education and/or create an environment for outstanding achievement through the arts. Educator Arts Champions: Marilyn Bohlen Simpson (2026) Krenov School of Fine Woodworking/Laura Mays (2024/25) Doug Browe (2023) Molly Dwyer (2022), Blake More (2021), Judy Stavely (2020), Kevin Wells (2019), Gary Martin (2018), Trudy McCreanor of Mendocino Ballet (2017), Pavlos Mayakis (2016), Pacific Community Charter School (2015), Lech Slocinski (2014), Tom Johnsen (2013), Carolyn Bakewell (2012), Carolyn Carpenter (2011), Kathleen Kirkpatrick (2010), Dana Gray Elementary School (2009), Mendocino Coast Writers Conference / College of the Redwoods (2008), Tree of Life Charter School (2007), Mendocino County Office of Education (2006), Mendocino Unified School Enrichment (MUSE) (2005), Art Explorers (2004), and Willits Charter School (2003).

ART ORGANIZATION CHAMPIONS FOR THE ARTS

(New category in 2015) Arts Organization Champions: Pacific Textile Arts (2026) Art Explorers (2024/25) Deep Valley Arts Collective / MEDIUM Gallery (2022), Gualala Arts (2021), Art Center Ukiah (2020), Willits Center for the Arts (2018), SPACE (School of Performing Arts and Cultural Education) (2016), and Friends of the Round Valley Library (2015).

HONORABLE MENTION ARTS CHAMPIONS

Lot on Main (2026) MEDIUM Gallery (2021), David“Sus” Susalla (2018), Jim Colling (posthumous, 2018), and Patsy Joy Chadwick (posthumous, 2017)

Mendocino County Art Champions 2026

Mendocino County Art Champions 2024/25

Mendocino County Art Champions 2023

Mendocino County Art Champions 2022

Mendocino County Art Champions 2021

Mendocino County Art Champions 2020

Mendocino County Art Champions 2019

Mendocino County Art Champions 2018

Mendocino County Art Champions 2017

Mendocino County Art Champions 2016

Mendocino County Art Champions 2015

Mendocino County Art Champions 2014