The local arts community has lost a national treasure. Longtime Ukiah resident Adele Foster Pruitt was found to have passed away just over a week ago. A child prodigy, Pruitt came to the attention of Diego Rivera when she was just 8. She began her 70-plus years as an instructor, teaching in the elementary grades and later at colleges. In 1961, she received her MA in Art Education from the University of the Pacific. Her thesis became part of the argument that led to the development of art enrichment classes for California public schools. She was Mendocino College’s first art instructor. Plans for a memorial service in April are underway.