30 Mendocino Arts Magazine

Fall/Winter 2018–19 31

EEmmy lou Packard was born on April 15, 1914, near El

Centro, California. She was liter-ally born into left-of-center poli-tics, in an agricultural cooperative community in the Imperial Valley that her parents helped to found.

Her father was an internation-ally known agronomist. In 1927, taking his family with him, he went to Mexico City as a consultant on the government’s historic land reform program. There, Emmy Lou, who drew and painted preco-ciously at the age of 13, went with her mother to meet muralist Diego Rivera and his wife, Frida Kahlo.

Writing in 1941, Rivera remembered that first visit: “She was a blond, melancholy little girl with the face of a French gothic angel plucked from the reliefs of Chartres, but she had been born just two miles from the border of Mexico. Embarrassed and shy, bright little savage, she had all the character of the country in which she was born.”

When she was 20, while study-ing at the University of California, Berkeley, she eloped with a Berkeley graduate, architect Burton Cairns. They had a son together, Donald Cairns. She returned to University, taking her young son with her to class, and graduated in 1936. Three years later, Burton Cairns died in a car accident leaving Emmy Lou alone as a single mother.

She continued to work as an artist, returning to Mexico to work for Kahlo and Rivera as their stu-dio assistant; working as Rivera’s chief assistant when Rivera came to San Francisco in 1940 to paint the Pan American Unity mural for the Golden Gate International

Exposition; and as an engineering drafter and illustra-tor of a labor newspaper for the San Francisco Bay Area shipyards. She illustrated third-grade textbooks for the San Francisco public schools, organized the annual San Francisco Arts Festival and was a founder of Artists Equity,

Emmy Lou PackardEmmy Lou PackardThe Mendocino decade

By Susan Kelley

Overleaf, clockwise from top left: Peace is Children’s Best Friend (cropped), print, 19" x 27" (finished size); Masonic Temple, Mendocino, print, 19" x 6"; Sprout Picker, print, 23" x 18".

View from Highway One, print, 12" x 38".

Emmy Lou Packard.

32 Mendocino Arts Magazine

a group very like a union for artists. During this time, she did some 300 oil paintings, watercolors and drawings that she exhibited at galleries in Los Angeles and San Francisco, firmly establishing her place in the art world.

In 1959 she married fellow artist Byron Randall and she and Randall joined the émigré movement of artists leaving the Bay Area and moving to Mendocino. This was the beginning of what was to be her ‘Mendocino Decade,’ as coined by Don Burleson, in Mendo-Scene-O. The time Emmy Lou spent in Mendocino was a small part of her long career as an artist but it left an indelible mark on the community.

The Randalls bought a house overlooking the Pacific, turning it into their home, studios, guesthouse, and gallery. It was to become a gathering place for artists and friends, meetings of the then-burgeoning Peace and Freedom Party on the Mendocino Coast, and what became cen-tral headquarters for Emmy Lou’s lasting contribution to Mendocino – the decade-long effort and ultimately suc-cessful protection of the Mendocino Headlands.

Packard is quoted in an interview with Betty Barber, “I saw this marvelous headland and the beach and the quaint little town and I knew it would b e r u i n e d s o o n e r o r later by com-mercial devel-opment, and I felt it had to be saved.” She began to go door-to-door g a t h e r i n g s i g n a t u r e s that would put a land transfer deal in place and preserve the Mendocino Headlands as a state park. 

With the community behind her, Emmy Lou reached out to people she had met throughout her career, gener-ating national interest in the plight of this tiny coastal village. Eventually, Boise Cascade conceded and agreed to an exchange of property. Mendocino landowners, Al Nichols and William Heeser, donated adjacent property

as public land “and that,” concluded Emmy Lou, “was the way we conserved the little town.’’

By the end of the ‘60s, her marriage to Randall was dissolving. In 1969, she returned alone to San Francisco, where she became a much-loved figure in the Mission District, championing its Latino culture a generation before others discovered its vitality and charm.

Throughout her life, Emmy Lou demonstrated a nur-turing interest in making art accessible to children. During a visit to Mexico to spend time with her friends in 1928, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera engaged her help at the open air school set up to encourage Mexican children to express themselves in art. Later, she would bring Bay Area com-munities together by involving children in her mural art.

Emmy Lou Packard’s estate recently made a major donation to the Mendocino Art Center, which includes 423 prints, both originals and reproductions. Some are signed by Packard herself and others by her estate. The 423 prints are comprised of 20 different designs, from her iconic workers series (“Strawberry Pickers”) to lesser known prints. The individual prints that make up the col-lection range in size as well. The donation includes over 1,136 individual greeting cards comprised of 12 different designs.

A selection of the donated artwork will be exhibited in the Mendocino Art Center’s Nichols Gallery in October 2018.

Strawberry Pickers, print, 23" x 17".

Frida Kahlo and Emmy Lou Packard. Image courtesy of Kelley House Museum, Inc.

Fall/Winter 2018–19 33

UKIAH–WILLITSinland mendocino

county

Back

grou

nd p

hoto

grap

h co

urte

sy o

f Jill

Sch

muc

kley

.

EmandalA Farm on a River

16 miles NE of Willitson the Eel River

emandal.com 707 459-5439

Family Country VacationsArt Stay III

Sept 10–14, 2018 & Sept 17–21, 2018

Not JUST Cowboy PoetrySeptember 22, 2018

34 Mendocino Arts Magazine

The place to break breadand share conversation

since 1922

Great Traditional Foods made with

Fresh Ingredients

295 S. State Street, Ukiah462-5221

Open Daily 7am–2pmLocal owners Stan & Amy Singley

Since 2012

f

Fall/Winter 2018–19 35

36 Mendocino Arts Magazine

The Zacha Legacy SocietyHonoring the exceptional support of those who are Mendocino Art Center advocates.

LIFETIME MEMbERSBill & Jennie ZachaDick & Janet BilasBill BrazillJoyce BrownMarion & Chuck BushJohn CornacchiaTerry Lyon & James CookRhoda & Richard MeskerDonald E. Paglia, MDH. Lindsay ShieldsJoan & Jeff StanfordCharles Marchant Stevenson,

Jr. & Thomas BurnhamLarry & Marilyn WagnerLeona WaldenRay & Donna Worster

$150,000+Martha Wagner Trust

$15,000+Donald CairnsGoogleDebra Lennox

$10,000+Donna Worster

$5,000+Jack and Chatter Bishoff TrustMarion BushJohn CornacchiaDale E. & Susan Louise Moyer

$2,500+Donald E. Paglia, MDCharles Williams &

Barbara Beynon

$2,000+Visit Mendocino County, Inc.

$1,000+Jody BryanThe Community Foundation

of Mendocino CountyLiliana & Michael CunhaCharles HeathJohn HewittRick Keller & Sue KlarquistRichard & Carol Rinehart

$500+The Inn at Newport RanchDr. K. KnoxPatricia (Deirdre) O’ReillyJanis & John PorterRedfinLeona Walden

$250+Douglas & Eric CraneLeeAnn DicksonSheila KlopperTrish & Trevor OrchardMiriam OwenRacine’s Stationery, Art &

Office SuppliesStephen Rasmussen &

Steve ScudderWilliam N. & Cynthia

Crocker Scott

For more information about becoming a Mendocino Art Center member, see page 4 or visit MendocinoartCenter.org/membership.html

THE MENDOCINO ART CENTER WISHES TO THANK…all of our generous donors and members who have provided support from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. Memberships and donations at every level are appreciated and vital to the Mendocino art Center. Members and donors who provide support at $250 and above receive annual recognition in Mendocino Arts magazine.

Experience the Art of Claudia Flood

claudiaflood.net

Fall/Winter 2018–19 37

707-937-2237 u 10483 Lansing street, Mendocino

Mendocino and Lake County Restaurant Guide

WESTPORTTHE WESTPORT HOTEL & OLD ABALONE PUBFine Dining, High TeaCall for seasonal hours39921 N. Highway 1 • 964-3688

FORT BRAGG A SWEET AFFAIRPatisserie401 N. Main Street, Suite 301961-1362

ASIAN FUSION SEA VALLEY CAFÉThai301 N. Main Street 200-4744

BAY VIEW DINING ROOMCalifornia French Cuisine1011 S. Main Street • 409-0767

BERNILLO’S Pizzeria, Subs, and Salads220 E. Redwood Avenue 964-9314

CAFÉ 1Organic Breakfast and Lunch753 N. Main Street • 964-3309

CROW’S NEST BAR & GRILLCreative Gastropub1011 S. Main Street • 734-4264

CUCINA VERONAFamily Italian for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner124 E. Laurel Street • 964-6844

D’AURELIO’S Fine Italian and Pizza438 S. Franklin Street 964-4227

DOWN HOME FOODS Lunch Deli115 S. Franklin Street 964-4661

EGGHEAD’S RESTAURANT Breakfast and Lunch326 N. Main Street 964-5005

FORT bRAGG GENERAL STORE132 E. Redwood Avenue964-5914

GIGI’S THAI CAFÉLunch & DinnerCorner Main & Chestnut Streets961-0830

HARVEST MARKET Organic, Natural, and Traditional Products and ServicesHighway 1 & Highway 20964-7000Catering by Margaret Fox, full service deli, bakery, and products from gour-met to everyday. Online shopping and delivery available. Open 7 days a week, 5am–11pm.

HEADLANDS COFFEEHOUSEEspresso Coffee House120 E. Laurel Street • 964-1987

HOME STYLE CAFÉ Breakfast and Lunch790 S. Main Street • 964-6106

LA PLAYA MEXICAN RESTAURANT & BAR 760 S. Main Street • 964-4074

LAuREL DELI & DESSERTS breakfast & Lunch401 N. Main Street, Ste. 502964-7812

LEE’S CHINESE RESTAURANTFamily Chinese154 E. Redwood Avenue 964-6843

MARA’S COFFEE HOUSE5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.18180 N. Highway 1 • 961-6141

MAYAN FUSIONA Mixture of Mexican and American Cuisine418 N. Main Street • 961-0211

NIT’S CAFÉInternational Cuisine322 N. Main Street • 964-7187

NORTH COAST bREWING COMPANYbrewery Taproom and Jazz at the Sequoia Room444 N. Main Street • 964-3400World-class beer, lunch and dinner daily, 11:30am to close. Live jazz Fri–Sat evenings. Farm-to-table produce, sustainable meats, local seafood, award-winning beers, regional wines, full bar.

OFF THE HOOK SUSHINigari, Udon, Teriyaki, and Sushi118 E. Redwood Avenue 964-3188

OVERTIME BREWINGTAPROOM & PUB190 E. Elm Street962-3040

PIACI PUB & PIZZERIA Pizza and Salads20 W. Redwood Avenue • 961-1133

THE PURPLE ROSEMexican24300 N. Highway 1 • 964-6507

THE QYour North Coast bbQ & Grille1064 S. Main Street • 961-0100

TAKA’S GRILL Japanese & Sushi250 N. Main Street • 964-5204

VIRAPORN’S THAI CAFE16801 Ocean Drive • 962-0717

ZAPPA’S COFFEE & MENDOCINO COOKIE CO. Espresso Shop303 N. Main Street In the Company Store • 964-0282

NOYO HARBORCASA DEL SOLFamily Friendly Seafood32351 N. Harbor Drive • 409-5095

D’JANGO’S ROUGH BAR CAFEThursdays–Sundays32100 N. Harbor Drive • 962-0100

DOLPHIN ISLE MARINA DELIRiverside Deli32399 Basin • 964-4113

NOYO HARbOR INN & TAVERNFirst Class Food and Lodging500 Casa Del Noyo Drive961-8000

NOYO RIVER GRILLLunch & Dinner32150 N. Harbor Drive • 962-9050

PRINCESS SEAFOOD MARKET & DELI32410 N. Harbor Drive962-3123

SEA PALBurgers & Seafood32390 N. Harbor Drive • 964-1300

SILVER’S AT THE WHARFFresh Seafood and Contemporary American32260 N. Harbor Drive • 964-4283

MENDOCINO

CAFÉ bEAuJOLAISFine Dining961 Ukiah Street • 937-5614Atrium room, overlooking a beautiful garden, also available for private parties up to 20 people.

CORNERS OF THE MOuTHNatural Foods • Gluten Free Products45015 Ukiah Street • 937-5345

FLOWOrganic cuisine morning and nightUpstairs at the Watertoweron Main Street • 937-FLOW

FRANKIE’S HANDMADE ICE CREAM & PIZZA PARLORIce Cream, Pizza, Soup 44951 Ukiah Street • 937-2436

HARVEST AT MENDOSA’S Ready-to-Go Products and Groceries10501 Lansing Street • 937-5879Full service meat and seafood coun-ter, fresh produce, beer and wine, sushi, and ready-to-go sandwiches made daily. Open 7 days a week, 7:30am to 10pm.

LUNASouthern Italian Trattoria955 Ukiah Street • 962-3093

MACCALLUM HOUSE INN & RESTAURANTFine Dining45020 Albion Street • 937-0289

MENDOCINO CAFÉMendocino Cuisine10451 Lansing Street • 937-6141

MENDOCINO HOTEL VICTORIAN DINING & GARDEN CAFÉFine Dining, Bar Menu45080 Main Street • 937-0511

MENDOCINO JAMS & PRESERVES440 Main Street937-1037

MENDOCINO MARKETDeli, Sandwiches, Picnic Foods45051 Ukiah Street • 937-3474

MOODYS ORGANIC COFFEE BAR10450 Lansing Street • 937-4843

PATTERSON’S PUBBar Menu10485 Lansing Street • 937-4782

Area Code is 707 unless otherwise noted.

38 Mendocino Arts Magazine

Mendocino and Lake County Restaurant GuideTAQuERIA MENDOCINO10483 Lansing Street937-2237

THE RAVENS AT THE STANFORD INN bY THE SEAVegetarian CuisineHighway 1 & Comptche-ukiah Road • 937-5615Prepares vegetarian cuisine with produce from their California Certi-fied Organic farm and other organic producers.

TRILLIuM CAFE AND INNLunch & Dinner with Patio Dining10390 Kasten Street 937-3200

LITTLE RIVER &ALBIONALbION RIVER INNFine DiningHighway 1, Albion • 937-4044

HERITAGE HOUSE RESORT & SPAFine Dining5200 N. Highway 1, Little River202-9000

LEDFORD HOUSE RESTAURANTFine Dining3000 N. Highway 1, Albion937-0282

LITTLE RIVER INN RESTAuRANTFine DiningHighway 1, Little River 937-5942

LITTLE RIVER MARKET & DELIGourmet Deli7746 N. Highway 1, Little River937-5133

WILD FISHSeafood Restaurant7750 N. Highway 1, Little River937-3055

ELKBRIDGET DOLAN’S PUBCalifornia Grill & Bar Menu5910 S. Highway 1 877-1820

QUEENIE’S ROADHOUSE CAFÉBreakfast & LunchHighway 1 877-3285

POINT ARENATHE PIER CHOWDER HOUSE & TAP ROOMChowder, Seafood, Burgers & More790 Port Road • 882-3400

PIZZA & CREAMGourmet Pizza and Ice CreamArena Cove • 882-1900

ANCHOR BAYMARIACHISMexican35501 S. Highway 1 • 884-1735

GUALALACOVE AZUL BAR & GRILLItalian and Seafood39102 Ocean Drive • 884-1835

ST. ORRESFine Dining36601 Highway 1 • 884-3335

THE SEA RANCHTHE SEA RANCH LODGE & RESTAURANTCalifornia Cuisine60 Sea Walk Drive • 785-2371

ANDERSON VALLEYBOONVILLE HOTELCalifornia CuisineHighway 128, Boonville 895-2210

LAUREN’SEclectic American International14211 Highway 128Boonville • 895-3869

LEMON’S PHILO MARKETSandwiches and Salads to Go8651 Highway 128, Philo895-3552

STONE & EMBERSWood-Fired Pizza in The Madrones9000 Highway 128, Philo895-3471

YORKVILLE MARKETDeli and Local Foods26701 Highway 128, Yorkville895-9456

UKIAHANNA’S BISTROChinese and Japanese765 S. State Street • 462-1098

CRUSH ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE & PUB1180 Airport Park Boulevard463-0700

DORA’S GOURMET CAFECasual Fine Dining, Fresh Ingredients; Wine and Beer263 N. State Street • 462-3726

ELLIE’S MUTT HUT& VEGETARIAN CAFETofu, Vegetarian, Hamburgers732 S. State Street • 468-5376

FORKS CAFE Home Style Breakfast/Lunch 3166 N. State Street • 462-4530

THE HIMALAYAN CAFÉNepalese & Indian Cuisine 1639 S. State Street • 467-9900

MENDOCINO BREWING COMPANY ALEHOUSEPark Falls Plaza1252 Airport Park Boulevard467-2337

OCO TIMEJapanese Cuisine111 W. Church Street • 462-2422

PATRONA BISTRO & WINE BARClassic, Contemporary Cuisine130 W. Standley Street • 462-9181

SAUCY PIZZAGourmet Pizza, Salad, Beer, Wine108 W. Standley Street • 462-7007

SCHAT’S COURTHOUSE BAKERY & CAFEBakery, Breakfast, Lunch 113 W. Perkins Street 462-1670

STAN’S MAPLE CAFÉHomestyle, Fresh breakfast and Lunch295 S. State Street 462-5221

TASTEBUDSVegetarian Take-Out405 S. State Street 463-2253

THAI DISHFresh Ingredients; Beer, Wine801 N. State Street • 462-0238

UKIAH BREWING COMPANYRestaurant and Lounge102 S. State Street • 468-5898

WILLITSAL’S REDWOOD ROOMThai & American, Full Bar207 S. Main Street • 459-2444

HOPLAND BLUEBIRD CAFEBreakfast, Lunch, DinnerLocal Ingredients and Pie13340 S. Highway 101 744-1633

PIAZZA DE CAMPOVIDA13441 S. Highway 101 744-1977

REDWOOD VALLEY THE BROILER STEAK HOUSE 8400 Uva Drive 485-7301

LAKE COUNTY BLUE WING SALOON & CAFE9520 Main StreetUpper Lake • 275-2233

BOAR’S BREATH14667 Lakeshore DriveClearlake • 995-2000

CACTUS GRILL RESTAURANT3900 Baylis AvenueClearlake • 994-0905

CHIC LE CHEF RESTAURANT18983 Hartman Road, Suite DHidden Valley Lake 987-9664

PARK PLACE50 3rd StreetLakeport • 263-0444

SAW SHOP GALLERY BISTRO3825 Main StreetKelseyville • 278-0129

TNT2599 Lakeshore BoulevardLakeport • 263-4868

VISTA CAFE 2755 Mission Rancheria RoadLakeport 262-1900

Fall/Winter 2018–19 39

40 Mendocino Arts Magazine

Fall/Winter 2018–19 41