Rancho Cordova's MACC brings art where the people are

Local art lovers have access to galleries and exhibits in Midtown and downtown Sacramento. But there’s another opportunity just east of town that might be the most accessible of all. 

Why is the Mills Station Arts and Culture Center in Rancho Cordova — also known as the MACC — so accessible? First, admission is free. And second, it’s right next to a Sacramento Regional Transit light rail station and bus hub and has loads of free parking. 

Getting there isn’t a problem. Getting in, that’s a different story.

“The thing about coming to the MACC is people — when you look at it, there’s literally a door about every 15 feet — they don’t know which door," said Cheryl Gleason, who has been running the MACC since it opened six years ago. "There’s seven of them but there’s only one that leads to the inside. 

"It’s the one with the red piece of tape in front of it that says ‘you have arrived.’”

The origin story behind The MACC dates back over a decade. Rancho Cordova’s Art In City Hall program featured four shows a year and became extremely popular. City leaders began wondering if they could build a permanent gallery and art center.

So Rancho Cordova, SacRT — which owns the land — and the non-profit Cordova Community Council all came together to establish The MACC in 2018, funded by Measure H and grants from the county. 

Gleason said her programming philosophy isn’t just about art, it’s about history and culture.

“Maybe its U.S. history, world history, maybe it’s California or even Rancho Cordova history," Gleason said. "I look to do something that’s social justice, being a little edgy and not playing it always safe, and other things that make people think.”

Gleason opened this season with a powerful show from the Smithsonian titled “Righting A Wrong: Japanese Americans and World War II.” Mounting it at the MACC made it even more relevant.

“This very building used to sit across the street as a grocery store in the '20s and '30s," Gleason said. "It was built in 1911 and this area was all farmland. And many of those farmers were Japanese Americans.”

The current exhibit, “When Art and Poetry Collide,” features pieces like The Old Man With The Beard by fiber artist Penny Hanscomb.

“She took a very simple, old poem and created this stunning view in fabric of this man with birds nesting in his beard," Gleason said. "It’s a simple, sweet, whimsical poem. And so is the piece of art, and so stunningly executed."

The MACC does more than exhibit art. It develops artists.

“On most Saturdays, we have a workshop that lasts two hours, costs $10," Gleason said. "You bring nothing except an open mind and a creative spirit. We provide everything, the instructor, the materials. And you get to learn a skill set.”

In hopes of attracting new visitors, Gleason launched an evening concert series complete with tables, chairs and food trucks.

“We’re a culture center so I wanted to get culturally relevant music … bluegrass, blues, jazz,” Gleason said.

At the heart of Gleason’s efforts is a desire to make the MACC as accessible as possible.  

“Everybody should be able to come and enjoy art for free and that is what we do,” Gleason said.