WILLITS, CA., 5/4/25 – The Willits Center for the Arts, or WCA, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
According to the WCA, the city of Willits created a cultural arts commission in 1993 tasked with the goal of renovating the historic 1920s-era Women’s Improvement Club building into an art center. The center opened in 2000.
Today, the nonprofit WCA presents art exhibitions, provides art classes and education programs, and serves as the creative home to over 45 local artists.
To celebrate its anniversary, the WCA is asking the community to share memories of the center and the Women’s Improvement Club.
The WCA is asking for stories, memories, documents and photos about:
- The history of the WIC building and the roles it has played in the community all the way back to when it was built in the 1920s;
- The grassroots community organizing that got the center started as an arts commission and then a 501(c)(3) …the journey from an idea to a reality;
- The work on the building itself to turn it into the beautiful art center it is today; and
- Events or shows at the WCA, artists you saw that stuck with you, the impact WCA has on your life or the community as a whole.
“Please send us information you might have on the history of this much-loved local institution before it gets lost to time,” the WCA said. It will use the memories in a commemorative project later this year.
Memories and more can be sent to the WCA by emailing manager@willitscenterforthearts.org.