Gualala Arts invites the community to experience “Creations,” a group exhibition featuring the distinctive works of three local artists—Ling-Yen Jones, James Docker, and Bea Acosta. This compelling blend of art and craft opens with a reception on Friday, February 13, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Jacob Foyer. The exhibit will remain on view through March 8, offering visitors a chance to explore the unique perspectives and materials each artist brings to their practice.
James Docker, a seasoned woodworker and designer, brings decades of craftsmanship and conceptual depth to the show. With a Master of Fine Arts from San Francisco State University and formative years spent studying in Kyoto, Japan, Docker’s work reflects a rich tapestry of influences—from Japanese boro textiles and tea ceremony aesthetics to the geometric clarity of Piet Mondrian. His pieces often echo the improvisational structure of jazz, a genre he reveres, and his approach to wood has been described as “quilting in wood.” Docker’s career spans over 60 years, including custom home design throughout The Sea Ranch, Napa Valley, and the Bay Area. His knife blocks and boards, originally crafted for friends and neighbors, exemplify his commitment to both beauty and utility.
Jewelry artist Ling-Yen Jones offers a striking contrast with her finely wrought silver, semi-precious stones, and pearls. Based in Mendocino County, Jones creates one-of-a-kind pieces that range from traditional to modern, often incorporating motifs such as leaves, birds, and windows—symbols of growth, hope, and transformation. Her training includes studies with David Laplantz at Humboldt State University, Monterey Peninsula College, and workshops at the Mendocino Art Center. Jones is also the gallery coordinator for the Coast Highway Artist Collective in Point Arena and has exhibited widely across Northern California. Her work, including evocative pieces like “Unmentionables,” draws inspiration from the Ukiyo-E period of Japanese art, blending expressive faces with hidden floral and romantic imagery to explore themes of serenity and everyday grace.
Bea Acosta rounds out the trio with her creations in clay and pine needle basketry. Since discovering her passion for clay in 2000, Acosta has studied under Kay Like of Brandybuck Studios, embracing hand-building techniques and natural finishes such as saggar firing with seaweed and horsehair. Her journey expanded in 2004 to include pine needle basketry, where she now devotes most of her creative energy. Using materials like Watsonia and Amaryllis leaves, sweet grass, and sea grass, Acosta weaves vibrant, one-of-a-kind forms that often transcend traditional basket function. Her “pine needle woven creations” are meditative, free-form expressions that reflect a deep reverence for nature and ancestral memory. Living on the coast continues to inspire her intuitive, organic approach to making.
Together, Jones, Docker, and Acosta offer a rich and varied exhibition that celebrates the intersection of artistry and craftsmanship. “Creations” promises to be a feast for the senses and a testament to the creative spirit thriving along the Mendonoma coast.