FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mono Arts Council Introduces The Sierra Seven Arts Alliance and “From Here to There” Traveling Exhibition​Mono County, CA — The Mono Arts Council proudly celebrates the first major achievement of the Sierra Seven Arts Alliance, a newly formed collaborative network of arts organizations serving the Central and Eastern Sierra region of California. The Alliance, comprising Arts and Culture Alpine County, Amador County Arts Council, C5 Studios Community Arts Center, Inyo Council for the Arts, Mariposa County Arts Council, Mono Arts Council, and Tuolumne County Arts Alliance, was established to enhance regional arts capacity and expand cultural opportunities across these rural communities.

​In fall 2025, Sierra Seven issued its inaugural call for art for the upcoming “From Here to There” traveling exhibition, inviting submissions from artists residing in or maintaining strong community ties to the seven counties of the region. The call generated more than 150 submissions, demonstrating the vitality and diversity of creative voices throughout the Sierra region.

​Following a rigorous review by a panel of peers from across the region, 35 works were selected to be featured in the touring exhibition — a significant showcase of interdisciplinary artistic excellence. Among these, three pieces are by artists from Mono County, underscoring the depth of talent in our often-looked rural and remote communities. Congratulations to the Mono County artists featured in this exhibition: Dana Ellis, Roberta Lagomarsini, and Alyssa Marquez.

​”This collaborative exhibition is the culmination of a decade of conversations about the importance of our rural organizations coming together. We felt strongly that we wanted to support each other in our uniqueness and our common challenges,” said Kristin Reese, Executive Director of Mono Arts Council. “We (Inyo and Mono County arts organizations) were presented with an opportunity to apply for a Catalyst Grant through the Sierra Jobs First program administered by the Sierra Business Council, back in 2024. Recognizing that the application would have the greatest amount of weight by including all counties that the grant served, I reached out to my State-Local arts partner network to gauge interest in the application. All seven county Arts Leaders came back with resounding support and thus the work began. The grant was applied for with C5 Studios/Eastern Sierra Artists as the lead applicant and eventually with Mariposa County Arts Council taking over the administration of the grant, once the roughly $90K reimbursement grant was awarded. Through initiatives like Sierra Seven, we are building cultural connections that draw visitors, support local artists, and enrich the quality of life across the Central and Eastern Sierra.”

​The “From Here to There” exhibition will tour all seven counties. The show opened on February 20th at both C5 Studios Community Art Center and Inyo Council for the Arts with Mono County/Mono Arts Council as the second stop in the tour. The local show dates are from March 27 – April 24 and will be showcased at the Mono Arts Council Community Arts Center & Gallery in Mammoth Lakes, with an opening reception on Friday, March 27 from 5-7pm. This unprecedented regional collaboration reflects a shared commitment to expanding arts access, fostering cross-county cultural exchange, and enhancing the region’s creative economy. For more information about the Sierra Seven Arts Alliance and the “From Here to There” exhibit, visit monoarts.org/fromheretothere. Contact Mono Arts Council at (760) 914-2909 or [email protected].

​The Mono Arts Council fosters a lasting culture of creativity by collaborating with artists through education, advocacy, and programs. We offer free arts & cultural programs, mentorships for artists, arts-education programs, networking opportunities, and assistance for artists at all stages of their careers. Established in 1992, Mono Arts Council catalyzes the local creative economy by promoting the greater region as a haven for arts, culture, and creativity. Contact us to be part of the fun at monoarts.org, (760) 923-8984, or [email protected].

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