Art abounds in Sonoma County in summer, where inspired local artists work in a variety of media and genres. While navigating around the vineyards and rolling hills, along the scenic coast, and through the welcoming townships, be sure and stop in at some of the numerous art galleries, art centers, and museums to see a special art exhibition. Many wineries and eateries also have art on exhibit, where you can view fine art while enjoying great food and refreshments. Here are some exhibitions on view right now:
*** Designates an Opening Reception.

Arts Guild of Sonoma
August 1 through September 1, The August Show
*** Opening Reception, Friday, August 1, 6 to 8 p.m.
Featuring the sensory and emotional paintings of Peggie Winston, hand-built porcelain ceramics by Lyn Swan, along with artwork by other Guild artists.
140 E Napa St, Sonoma, 707-996-3115, artsguildofsonoma.org

Installation view of Transanimation at C14.

C14 Contemporary Arts
Through September 14, Interior – Exterior: Transanimation
Artists Teresa Camozzi, Martha Channer, DebraLea Comstock, and Craig Mitchell create a site-specific installation that enables a powerful transformational experience for visitors. The immersive environment, with murals, paintings, sculpture, and mixed-media provides a catalyst for inner reflection and psychological realization.
6780 Depot St., Ste., 100, at The Barlow, Sebastopol, 707-827-3020, c14contemporaryarts.com

Calabi Gallery
Through August 31, 2014 Summer Selection
This exhibition includes a mixture of new work from gallery artists, new acquisitions and consignments of vintage works, and selections from the archives. The gallery typically features an eclectic collection of 19th to 21st-century art that includes paintings, sculptures, graphics, and photography.

August 2 through August 16, Descendants of Light: American Photographers of Jewish Ancestry
*** Opening and Artist’s Lecture, Saturday, August 2, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
A selected preview of photographs by Penny Wolin from her upcoming book that will feature memoirs and photographs of the most influential Jewish American photographers of the past and current century. Wolin will discuss the works of such photographers as Garry Winogrand, Annie Leibovitz, Bruce Davidson, Lauren Greenfield, and others.
456 Tenth St., Santa Rosa, 707-781-7070, www.calabigallery.com

Charles M. Schulz Museum
August 13 through December 7, Punchlines in Peanuts
This exhibition features the curator’s choice of 70 of the best punch lines in Peanuts. See if your all-time favorites are included in this installation of original comic strips.

Through November 2, Social Commentary
Schulz created Peanuts from the perspective of an informed observer. This exhibition highlights socially attuned Peanuts strips through original art, topical ephemera, and reaction letters.
2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa, 707-579-4452, www.schulzmuseum.org

Christie Marks Fine Art Gallery
Through August 11, Alejandro Salazar: Selected Works 2011 – 2014
The exhibition explores several processes including mixed media on canvas, paper, cardboard, and glass. Salazar’s artistic voice is expressed in colors, shapes, and abstract figures that come from a deep passionate place. This work is fresh, visceral and immediate with a direct connection to emotion.

August 21 through September 29, Ben Lastufka: Incessant Beauty
*** Opening Reception, Saturday, August 23, 5 to 8 p.m.
Through paintings and a variety of media, Lastufka explores the physical evidence and natural processes of generation, erosion, and regeneration. “Conversation With the Artist”, Saturday, September 13 at 4 p.m.
322 Healdsburg Ave. 2nd Floor, Healdsburg, 707- 695-1011, www.christiemarksfineart.com

Chroma Gallery
Through August 3, The SOFA Show
Showcasing art, photography and crafts by 25 artists with studios in Santa Rosa’s SOFA Arts District. Encompassing the blocks along South A Street and Sebastopol Avenue, the SOFA district is home to 38 art studios and galleries, as well as restaurants, live theater, shops and cafes. SOFA’s Annual Open Studios Weekend is Saturday and Sunday, August 2 and 3, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

August 22 through September 23, Raptors Live Art
Wire sculptures and large Sumi-style paintings of live birds by Jonqui Albin demonstrate the thrill of working with active models in nature. The public is invited to weekly classes, demonstrations and performance art.
312 South A Street, Santa Rosa, 707-293-6051, www.chromagallery.net

Cloverdale Arts Alliance Gallery
Through September 18, Flourish
Group show with 10 artists, including Guest Artists, Drew Jackson, photography, Michele Hoting, jewelry, Susan Miron, fiber arts, Michael Risch, mixed media paintings, Resident Artists, Robin Burgert, Laura Paine Carr, Terry Holleman, Sharon Kozel, Paul Maurer, and oil paintings by Featured Resident Artist, Hanya Popova Parker.
204 N. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale, 707-894-4410, www.cloverdaleartsalliance.org

Fulton X Gallery at Fulton Crossing
August 9 through September 28, Human | Nature
*** Opening Reception, Friday, August 8, 5 to 8 p.m.
The artwork in this group show reflects ideas and thoughts regarding humankind’s relationship to nature. Also showing, a solo exhibition of work by invited artist Michael Francis Ramos.
1200 River Road, Fulton, 707-331-4348, www.fultoncrossing.com

Painting by Sandra Rubin, at Graton Gallery.

Graton Gallery
August 5 through September 21, 2014, Sandra Rubin: Teachers and Influences
*** Opening Reception, Saturday, August 9, 2 to 5 p.m.
Showing work by Sandra Rubin, Alan Azhderian, Alan Johnson, Lisa Beernsten, Maury Lapp, Gary Blackman, Sara Spaulding Phillips, Ron Cooper, Susan Proehl, Michael Coy, Carole Watanabe, and Guest Artists; Tim Hayworth, Steven Ashton-Justine Gotthart, and Florence Bass.
9048 Graton Road, Graton, 707-829-8912, www.gratongallery.com

Hammerfriar Gallery
Through September 7, Cry, Love Life
Artist Jenny Honnert Abell begins with old book covers then gathers bits of materials such as dryer lint, thread, and beads which she uses to create playful, satirical and poetic collages.
132 Mill Street, Ste.101, Healdsburg, 707-473-9600, www.hammerfriar.com

Healdsburg Center for the Arts
Through September 14, Clay & Glass 2014
Featuring the artwork of 16 superb artists who work in ceramics and glass. The work ranges from intricate constructions, sculptured figures, to decorated vessels, and includes fanciful as well as functional pieces.
130 Plaza St., Healdsburg, 707-431-1970, www.healdsburgcenterforthearts.com

Ice House Gallery
Through September 14, (n)collage
In conjunction with Petaluma Arts Center, this two-venue show features collage-work by mostly Bay Area artists.
IceHouse Gallery at Digital Grange Fine Art Services.
405 East D St., Studio B, Petaluma, 707-778-2238, www.icehousegallery.org

Local Color Gallery
August 2 through September 1, Profusion of Joyful Colors
*** Opening Reception, Saturday, August 2, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Paintings by Michele Weitzenberg.
1580 Eastshore Rd. Bodega Bay, 707-875-2744, www.localcolorgallery.com

A New Leaf Gallery| Sculpture Site
Through December 31, 2014, SculptureWALK,  New Works in the Gardens
Over 60 sculptural works by gallery artists are on display throughout the Cornerstone Gardens complex. Printed SculptureWALK guides are available at the gallery to assist you in admiring the visual dialog created by the sculptures in their magnificent garden setting.
At Cornerstone Sonoma, 23588 Arnold Drive (Hwy. 121), Sonoma, 707-933-1300, www.anewleafgallery.com

Occidental Center for the Arts
Through August 31, Colors of Summer
Juried by Sonoma County painter, Sandra Rubin, the work in this exhibition celebrates the moods and colors of summer.
3850 Doris Murphy Ct., Occidental, 707-874-9392, www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org

Paradise Ridge Winery Sculpture
Through May 31, 2015, 20@20: 20 artists at 20 years
A year-long outdoor sculpture exhibition by 20 artists; includes a selection of emerging artists along with a core group of internationally acclaimed established artists. The work is set in a stunning natural setting with meadows, and oak groves, in the historic Fountaingrove neighborhood in northwest Santa Rosa.
4545 Thomas Lake Harris Drive, Santa Rosa, www.celebratesculpture.com or www.prwinery.com

Petaluma Arts Center
Through September 14, (n)collage
Collage, a truly “mixed media”, makes use of inventiveness and creativity that is often not a result of experience but a willingness to experiment with the basic process. Curated by Petaluma artist Joe McDonald, the show features collage-work by mostly Bay Area artists.
230 Lakeville Street, Petaluma, 707-762-5600, www.petalumaartscenter.org

Ren Brown Collection Gallery
Housed in a refurbished building with shoji and a small, serene Japanese garden, the gallery shows contemporary art by Japanese and regional Northern California artists. Works include sculpture, paintings, woodcuts, serigraphs, monotypes, handmade paper, baskets, and ceramics. Currently on view is Feather and Fin.
1781 Coast Highway One, Bodega Bay, 707-875-2922, www.renbrown.com

RiskPress Gallery
August 2 through August 27, Stumbling Toward Ecstasy
*** Opening Reception, Saturday, August 2, 5 to 7 p.m., preceded by a Panel Discussion on “All Things Book!” from 3 to 5 p.m.
An exhibition of altered textiles, book art, and poetry, by artist and poet Mark Wangberg. Workshops in book arts and poetry writing will be offered during the exhibition.
7345 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol, www.riskpress.com

Santa Rosa City Council Chambers
Through August 28, Fun In Color
A solo exhibition of fun and colorful paintings by Tom Swearingen.
Santa Rosa City Council Chambers, 100 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, www.tomswearingen.com

Sebastopol Center for the Arts
Through August 30, Play it again, Sam
Exhibition of collage, assemblage and recycled art, juried by Sharon Spain, curator for Recology, San Francisco’s Artist in Residence Program.
282 High St., in the Veterans’ Memorial Bldg., Sebastopol, 707-829-4797, www.sebarts.org

Sebastopol Gallery
August 10 through September 14, Paula Matzinger and Chris Boyd
*** Opening reception Saturday, August 23
This two-person show features ceramics by Chris Boyd and paintings by Paula Matzinger.
150 North Main St., Sebastopol, 707-829-7200, www.sebastopol-gallery.com

Sonoma County Museum
Through August 17, From Hogarth to Hundertwasser: A Passion for Prints
This exhibition features a collection of fine art prints dating from the fifteenth century to the present including work by Albrecht Durer, William Hogarth, Wassily Kandinsky, Hundertwasser, and Francisco Zuñiga. It reflects the passion of a Sonoma County collector who has acquired prints for more than six decades.
Also on view through August 17, Siberia: In the Eyes of Russian Photographers. For related events and programs check the museum website.

August 22 through August 31, Louisa King Fraser: Now & Then
*** Opening Reception on August 22 from 5to 7 p.m.
Celebrated Sonoma County plein-air painter, Louisa King Fraser, exhibits work from throughout her career.
425 Seventh St., Santa Rosa, 707-579-1500, www.sonomacountymuseum.org

“Possessions” by Chester Arnold, at SVMA

Sonoma Valley Museum of Art
August 8 through October 26, Realism, Really? Today’s Contemporary Realists
Guest curated by Jennifer Bethke, the exhibition explores the expansive boundaries of realism today through a selection of six contemporary California painters; Chester Arnold, Guy Diehl, F. Scott Hess, Marina Moevs, Douglas Fenn Wilson, and Jeong Im Yi.
551 Broadway, Sonoma, 707-939-7862, www.svma.org

Republished from www.sonomacounty.com/blog/current-and-new-art-exhibitions-august-2014