along the waterfront on 4th Street . The studios became a corporation just before development of the “ Wet Mile ” stretch of breweries , wineries and restaurants prompted the move to a larger waterfront space a few blocks east in 2018 .
MIAS provides public and private gallery space for 19 diverse artists who specialize in media including mosaic , fabric , wood , ceramic , sculpting and photography , says artist Erin Bakke , who serves as the group ’ s “ loosely appointed general manager .”
“ We loved the old spot ,” says Bakke , referring to the original 20-year location along the Napa River . The new location on Pintado Street , however , is also along the Napa River waterfront with views of San Pablo Bay , Mount Tamalpais and the East Bay hills , and features 10,000 square feet of space , filled to capacity .
“ It ’ s a great space ; we ’ re using every inch of it ,” Bakke says . She says that the Vallejo-based developer the Nimitz Group , which purchased Mare Island ’ s 500 acres in 2019 , has been good to the collective “ in terms of creating an affordable place for us to continue creating art .”
The studios were closed to the public through most of 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions , but came back strong in 2021 , hosting events such as its popular Holiday Bazaar throughout December , individual and guest artist shows , and other art-related events including poetry readings and figure drawing sessions .
Mixed media artist Priscila Soares , a native of São Paulo , Brazil who ’ s been with the studios since the move into the new space , has created a unique niche for her art and gained national attention . Soares and one of her sons have hearing disabilities , which she amplifies in her art , including female figures with wings coming out of their ears .
“ It ’ s a way of putting a little piece of me in the work that I do ,” says Soares , who has experienced hearing loss since she was 17 . “ It ’ s such an invisible disability , and it came out when I was discovering who I was as a person and how to be more of me . There was a calling to portray that in my art — embrace who you are fully . No matter if I ’ m doing sculptures or water colors or papier-mâché , the message behind it is the same .”
A children ’ s book Soares illustrated with author Stephanie Marrufo , “ All the Ways I Hear You ,” is scheduled to be displayed in the upcoming movie “ Creed III ,” Soares says , adding that the wife of a character in the “ Creed ” franchise — an offshoot of the Sylvester Stallone “ Rocky ” movies — has a hearing disability that has gotten progressively worse .
The artists at MIAS tout the collaborative efforts found among the collective , the weekly planning meetings , and having the room to spread out .
“ It ’ s a wonderful location ,” says artist Sherry Tobin , who also lives in Vallejo , and describes her art of mixed media mosaics derived from bits and pieces of everyday items as “ whimsical nonsense .”
“ I like to work late at night when it ’ s quieter , so my fun thing is being there at three in the morning ,” Tobin says .
Lony Maya Neubauer , a pottery artist at MIAS since 2018 , also raves about the collaborative aspects there . Her husband Matt Neubauer , a sculptor , has been with the Mare Island collective for more than 20 years , she says .
“ It ’ s such an advantage having access to such a large place and being together as a collective ,” she says . “ It ’ s a big difference than being an artist just by yourself . We help each other out a lot . It ’ s a really great group .”
Steve Martarano was a reporter at the Sacramento Union for 10 years before working in public affairs for both state and federal agencies in Sacramento . On Twitter @ MartArchives .
“ It ’ s such an advantage having access to such a large place and being together as a collective .”
Lony Maya Neubaser , resident artist , Mare Island Art Studios
Holiday decorations adorn the Mare Island Art Studios during its Holiday Bazaar event .
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