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Muwekma Ohlone, Stanford Powwow. Photo by Kike Arnal
Now on View
Reclamation:
Aboriginal Ancestral Homeland and Resilience of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe
February 8 through May 4, 2025
In 1925, famed anthropologist Alfred Kroeber incorrectly claimed that the Costanoan Native peoples of California had become extinct. Consequently, the Muwekma Ohlone — largely based in the southern regions of San Francisco Bay — lost federal status even though tribal members had been enrolled with the Bureau of Indian Affairs between 1928 and 1971 and had even served in the United States military. Through the images of tribal photographer Kike Arnal, this exhibition explores the traditions and vitality of the Muwekma Ohlone and their ongoing struggle to regain federal status and secure their own sovereignty.
Larry Felson
Writers read: Ukiah’s literary salon
Thursday, February 27, 7:00 to 9:00 PM
The featured reader for February will be poet, Larry Felson, who is based in Fort Bragg. He previously lived in Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco, where he was a high school teacher and social justice activist. His poetry collections include Dawn Out of Order (2022) and Salt and Sugar (2004). He was also one of five authors featured in Five on the Western Edge (1977). Larry serves as a member of the Mendocino County Poet Laureate Program Founding Committee.
Writers Read has been happening in Ukiah since 1999, and occurs on the last Thursday of almost every month. The program focuses on poetry, spoken word, short stories, song, and expository prose. The evening begins with a featured reader and then is followed by an hour of open mic starting around 8:00. Check back soon for information about the featured reader for February. There is no admission fee but donations are warmly welcome.
Museum fundraiser at Ukiah Players Theater
company
Thursday, March 6, starting at 6:00 PM
Join us once again at Ukiah Players Theatre for our annual evening of live performance, this year featuring the Broadway musical sensation, Company. Boasting music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Company took Broadway by storm in 1970, playing to packed houses. The show earned a record 14 Tony nominations and won 6 of the coveted awards. And it is still amazingly relevant today.
The evening will commence at 6:00 PM with hearty appetizers, wine, beer, and softer beverages. Curtain at 7:00 PM. Dessert and coffee at intermission. To purchase tickets click on the button below.
First friday at the grace Hudson museum
Friday, March 7, 5:00 to 8:00 PM
With spring just around the corner, make the Museum part of your Ukiah First Friday Art Walk in March. Our musical guest will be the Bob Hudson Ensemble. Check out our latest exhibition, Reclamation: Aboriginal Ancestral Homeland and Resilience of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe. Or spend some time discovering or getting reacquainted with our core galleries, featuring Grace Hudson’s artwork, exquisite Pomo basketry, and Carpenter -Hudson family history. And with With spring arriving just around the corner, you may even see some early blooming flowers in our Wild Gardens. Light refreshments will be available.
First Fridays at the Grace Hudson Museum are always free all day and evening.
video recording
the man behind the brush: landscape artist ray stanford strong
The video recording of Mark Humpal’s presentation about Ray Strong can now be found on the VIDEO ARCHIVE page of our website. In this illustrated talk, Mark shares the story of Ray Strong’s long life: from his childhood in Oregon to his final years in Three Rivers, California. Along the way, he discusses Strong’s teachers, mentors, collaborators, and major accomplishments. The original in-person presentation took place at the Grace Hudson Museum on September 7, 2024, the day after the opening of Earth Portraiture: Ray Strong’s Northern California Landscapes, for which Mark served as guest curator. You can also access the video by clicking HERE.
This video was recorded and edited by Fuller Digital Media.
deep roots,
spreading branches
virtual programs
We are delighted now to have all three video programs that accompanied the exhibition Deep Roots, Spreading Branches: Fine Woodworking from the Krenov School, accessible to watch on the VIDEO ARCHIVE page of our web site. The videos include:
The Student Experience at the Krenov School, through the eyes and memories of former students Tim Coleman, Taimi Barty, John Shaw, and Phoebe Kuo. They also discuss their pieces that were included in the exhibition.
Through the Years: Insights from Krenov Instructors, in which you’ll learn about the beginnings and evolution of the Krenov School of Fine Woodworking from Creighton Hoke, who helped get the school started; David Welter, shop manager and ad hoc instructor for 30 years; and Laura Mays, the school's current director and lead instructor.
The Song and Dance: Krenov’s American Dreams. This features Krenov biographer Brendan Gaffney discussing the inspiration and circumstances that led James Krenov to Mendocino County, and to the establishment of a fine woodworking program in Fort Bragg.
Greenfield Ranch, Easter 1977
Promise of Paradise
Back to the Land Oral Histories of Mendocino County, on KZYX website
The Grace Hudson Museum is a proud supporter of this important oral history project. The weekly broadcasts have concluded, but you can still listen to all the episodes by clicking here for the Promise of Paradise archive on KZYX.
And to learn more about how it all got started click here to check out Jerry Karp’s November 2018 article in the Anderson Valley Advertiser.
Grace Hudson in the Sun House, 1912.
We are proud that Grace Hudson is featured in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s recent blog about
ten women who have given significantly to the world of art. All are affiliated with a historic artist's home in the
Historic Artists Homes and Studios program, of which the Grace Hudson Museum & Sun House is a founding member. Check it out!
https://savingplaces.org/stories/10-women-who-influenced-historic-artists-homes#.WqqHvsPwa70
Rufous Hummingbird and Scarlett Fritillary
Photograph by Rob Badger and Nita Winter
And in June, the National Trust for Historic Preservation website featured the Museum in an article
on our spring exhibition, Beauty and the Beast: California Wildflowers and Climate Change,
which ran from February 10 to June 17th. Read the article HERE!
Click on images or text for more information.
The galleries
Short-term exhibits in The Main Gallery highlight contemporary art, Native American cultures, Western American history, historic California art and local natural history. Permanent collections showcase Grace Hudson’s art; her family’s history; and Pomo culture and basketry.
the wild gardens
An outdoor Art and Education center is under development on the museum grounds. Located in a parklike setting, The Wild Gardens features native plant gardens with exhibits and art that teaches about our local environment and how Pomo Indian people managed this landscape.
the sun house
The Hudson’s charming 1911 redwood Craftsman bungalow home, the Sun House sits adjacent to the Museum and is available for docent-led tours. More than a century old, The Sun House allows visitors a glimpse into the Hudsons’ Bohemian lifestyle.
The Grace Hudson Museum highlights regional art, culture and natural history in the tradition of an extraordinary family – that of Ukiah native and nationally admired artist Grace Carpenter Hudson (1865-1937), her ethnologist husband, Dr. John W. Hudson (1857-1936) and her pioneering forebears. We provide opportunities for cultural engagement, art appreciation, historical reflection and hands-on learning.