Founding members (back row from left): Leslie Campbell, Jack Sears,
Nancy Milano, Joan Diamond (who did not ultimately become a member),
and Steve Larkin. (Front row from left): Marty Bird, Alison Gardner,
Nansee New, Diane Larson.

​In the winter of 1986 a small group of inspired and enterprising coastal artists realized a dream: to create a showroom and retail space for locally-made art.  At a time when logging and fishing were still the main industries in this area, Northcoast Artists was the first cooperative gallery in Fort Bragg and led the way for several others that you will find in fort Bragg today.

Our doors first opened in the middle of a huge rain storm on Valentine's Day, 1986, in the Barracks Mall on Franklin Street. However, after only two years we had already outgrown this tiny space, and when the "Zipper" clothing store became available for rent on Main Street, the group decided to take a leap of faith. We had to more than double our membership to make it work financially, so we put out the call to other local artists. The response from the artist community was enthusiastic and, after about a month of interviewing prospective new members, we became the Northcoast Artists Gallery at our present location.

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As a true cooperative, Northcoast Artists Gallery is managed and staffed solely by its members whose spirit and enthusiasm is evident in ongoing displays of our current work in the gallery. Throughout the year, a portion of the gallery is dedicated to month-long feature exhibits, ranging from solo shows highlighting individual member's work, to eclectic, invitational group shows.

If you ask any member why they enjoy being part of the gallery, you will often hear the same response: “community.” The life of an artist is not an easy one, especially in tough economic times.  Every artist has an inner drive and a need to express themselves in their work. But as the artist creates, a lot of other thoughts come up:  “How will the work be received? Does it stand on its own? Have I done my best?”  Through it all, the members are here for each other with support and friendship.

Each January Northcoast Artists has its annual planning meeting. From left to right: Isabel Rucker, Sarah Logan, Laura Miller, Patti Harney, Mariko Irie, Lisa Orselli, and more members not shown.

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Part of our member crew on monthly set up day.

The world is a very different place today than it was in 1986, and the Gallery has changed accordingly, staying true to its roots. We have grown from a small handful of potters to a multi-media gallery with 12 full-time members working in painting, ceramics, assemblage,  jewelry, photography, sculpture, textiles and woodworking.

Come in and introduce yourself the next time you are in town. One of us will be here and we’d love to meet you!