Our Mission
The Ink People changes lives by connecting the community with resources for cultural development. We encourage people to exercise their humanity, build civic discourse, and engage their creative potential. We are actively weaving the arts into the fabric of our community.

 

Weaving the Arts Into the Fabric of Our Community Since 1979

        The Ink People has been changing people’s lives since 1979 by connecting the community with resources for cultural development. We encourage people to exercise their humanity, build civic discourse, and engage their creative potential. We have a long time presence in Humboldt County and northern California as a community-based, grassroots, artist-run, arts and culture organization. We are organized on community access principles and the belief that art, in all its forms, is essential to the human spirit and well being.

       We base our activities in a philosophy of sharing and community building. We think it is important to listen to people’s hopes and dreams, and to help realize them, but not do it for them.  We feel that arts and culture should be an integral and conscious part of everyone’s life, so we set about weaving the arts back into the fabric of our community.  We know that young people are the future and are incredibly challenged by today’s world, so we try to give them tools to build successful and fulfilling lives.

       The Ink People was co-founded by two printmakers, Brenda Tuxford & Libby Maynard who wanted to create a peer support structure for artists, educate the community about the value of the arts, and use art to effect change. A small, but passionate staff run day to day operations with help from over 100 volunteers and independent contractors.

       With over 400 members, we are nurturing culture through the education and involvement of artists and audiences. The DreamMaker Program supports over 70 self-directing projects created by people who want to make their community a better place through arts and culture. We offer administrative support, management, and capacity building training. Other ongoing programs include exhibitions, performances, educational opportunities for all ages, a monthly newsletter, and the MARZ Project, which provides at-risk youth with tools to create positive change in their communities.

Learn more about the first 40 years of Ink History.

The Ink People Office
627 3rd St. Eureka, CA 95501
Open Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays Noon to 5:00 p.m.

Main Office: (707) 442-8413
Fax: (707) 444-8722
inkers@inkpeople.org

The Brenda Tuxford Gallery-
tuxfordgallery@inkpeople.org

 

Ink People Staff

Executive Director- Leslie Castellano
Administrative Director- Monica Topping
Marketing & Resource Development Director- Gabrielle Gopinath
Technology Director - Karen Asbury
Administrative Assistant- Jenny Downs
Alternative Galleries Coordinator- Angie Valetutto

. . . And many wonderful volunteers

MARZ Project

marzproject@inkpeople.org
Audio & Music Mentor- Cory Goldman - marzmusic@inkpeople.org
Video & Graphics Mentor- J. Tilghman - marzvideo@inkpeople.org

Ink People Board of Directors

President - F. Robert Sataua-Emergency Food Response Coordinator, Food for People
Vice President - Cati Gallardo-Public Information Specialist, County of Humboldt
Treasurer - Eileen Capaccio, CPA
Secretary - Gary Bird- Retired Director of Human Resources for City of Eureka

Board Members

Julie Benbow- Consultant, Interim Executive Director, Humboldt County Visitors Bureau
Delo Freitas- Senior Planner, City of Arcata
Nanette Kelley-
Sean McLaughlin- Executive Director Access Humboldt
Michelle Vassel- Tribal Administrator, Wiyot Tribe

 

Ink People, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt California nonprofit corporation. 2017 Form 990 (link to PDF)