Sonoma County has been a magnet for artists and art connoisseurs for many decades, and continues to attract sophisticated artists and art collectors, along with casual art lovers. Combined with the sheer natural beauty, and general creative ambience, the area readily entices visitors, as well as long-time residents, to explore the many and varied fine art offerings. With the addition of great food, drink, and outdoor activities, it’s easy to spend a day, a week, or a lifetime traversing through the vineyards, forests, and rolling hills, along the scenic coast, and through the welcoming towns of Sonoma County.

The following is a partial list of local art exhibitions. Many eateries, wineries, and civic buildings also present changing art shows in their spaces.

*** Designates an Opening Reception.

Art Escape
Through November 19, Books & Words
Exhibiting Artists, Jamie Azevedo, Allie Blanchard, Barbara Crow, Judy Danner, Shelly Dorr, Sheryl Elshout, Barbra Fortier, Susan Heeringa-Pieper, Kirk Hinshaw, Ann Hollister, Eli Kelly, Jack Kelly, Gayle Manfre, Lyn Manfre, Libby Mills, Kate Ortolano, Susan Poer, Ellie Portner, Alice Rhodes, Steven Schwartz, Thena Trygstad, and Jenny Zandona.
17474 Hwy. 12, Boyes Hot Springs in Sonoma
707-938-5551
artescapesonoma.com

Arts Guild of Sonoma
November 7 through November 23, November Members’ Show
*** Artists reception; Saturday, November 7, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Showing work by Sophie Acheson, Patricia Akay, Roberta Alexander, Barbara Aliza, Anji Bartholf, George Dawney, Dee Dushkes, Irene Ehret, Yvonne Giambrone-Martin, Christine Gonzalves, Zaza Fetterly, Susan Heeringa-Pieper, Kirk Hinshaw, Carol Larson, Jackie Lee, Nancy Martin, Helen Mehl, Ruby Newman, Bev Prevost, Linda Semple, Lyn Swan, Susan Wiegardt, and Mark Zukowski.
140 East Napa Street, Sonoma
707-996-3115
artsguildofsonoma.org

Calabi Gallery
456 Tenth St., Santa Rosa
707-781-7070
www.calabigallery.com

Charles M. Schulz Museum
Through April 24, 2016, Snoopy and the Red Baron
Downstairs Changing Gallery
Snoopy first imagined himself as a World War I Flying Ace on October 10, 1965, making 2015 the 50th anniversary of this popular persona. When asked about the origins of Snoopy’s aviator role, Charles Schulz credited his son’s interest in making plastic airplane models as his chief inspiration. Schulz described drawing a little helmet on Snoopy . . . acknowledging, “I knew I had one of the best things I had thought of in a long time.”
2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa
707-579-4452
www.schulzmuseum.org

Christie Marks Fine Art Gallery
Through November 8, Mind to Matter, Photos from DeSoto and Miller
Growing up in Branson, Missouri, Morgan DeSoto and Carly Miller were close childhood friends. The two reconnected in 2014 and found that they shared the common pursuit of fine art photography. This collaborative exhibit is the first West Coast showing of their compelling photography.

By Thea Goldstine.

November 12 through January 2, Thea Goldstine: Paintings
***Opening Reception, Thursday, November 12, from 5 to 8 p.m.
The exhibition features a selection of Sonoma County artist, Thea Goldstine’s abstract landscapes and expressive portrait oil paintings.
Conversation With the Artist: Thursday, December 10, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
312 South A Street, Suite #7, Santa Rosa
707-695-1011
christiemarksfineart.com

Chroma Gallery
Through November 14, Corners Of the Mouth: The Art of Nourishment
This unique exhibition explores the complexities of nourishment through paintings, photography, and sculpture.

November 20 through December 27, Four Seasons: Sonoma County Landscapes
*** Opening reception Friday, November 20, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Featuring the work of Brooks Anderson, Thomas Creed, and Donna DeLaBriandais.
312 South A Street, Santa Rosa
707-293-6051
www.chromagallery.net

Cloverdale Arts Alliance Gallery
Through November 19, Nocturne
Showing work by resident gallery artists, with guest artists Chris Beards and Michele Holland.
204 N. Cloverdale Boulevard, Cloverdale
707-894-4410
www.cloverdaleartsalliance.org

Graton Gallery
November 3 Through December 13, Double Vision
*** Opening Reception, Saturday, November 7, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Paintings and more by Bruce K Hopkins and Susan Shore, with Guest Artists; Cynthia Jackson-Hein, Clair Fenton May, Helen Mehl, and Jennifer Whitfield.
9048 Graton Road, Graton
707-829-8912
www.gratongallery.net

By Laura Hoffman.

Hammerfriar Gallery
November 14 through January 14, Paintings by Laura Hoffman and Mike Tinney
*** Opening reception; November 14, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Both Sonoma County artists illustrate dream-like worlds of human subconscious.
132 Mill Street, Ste.101, Healdsburg
707-473-9600
www.hammerfriar.com

Healdsburg Center for the Arts
Through November 22, 2015 Emerging Artist Exhibition
This second annual Emerging Artists juried exhibition showcases the work of students and young artists just starting their careers. It is an opportunity for these artists to exhibit their work in a gallery setting; gain the experience of writing biographies and artist statements; and present their work in a polished format. Featured artists are Lorena Cruz, Samara Johnson, Dustin Kinsley, Justin Ringlein, Dane Singh, Tyler Steele, Faye Wheeler, and Corinna Zanolini.
9130 Plaza Street, Healdsburg
707-431-1970
www.healdsburgcenterforthearts.com

Ice House Gallery
Through November 14, Ned Kahn – Ferro-Sulfatum: An Exploration of Geomorphological Processes
Kahn, an artist whose background is in environmental science, explores natural phenomena through his art. His work typically incorporates fluid dynamics, optics, acoustics, and other features of physics. On view is one of his interactive sculptures inspired by the geological and chemical processes of the Earth.
405 East D Street, Studio B, Petaluma
707-778-2238
www.icehousegallery.org

Museums of Sonoma County
Art Museum
Through November 29, Sculpted Fiber: West Coast Fiber Artists
From delicate knitting to large-scale room installations, this exhibition features a diverse group of contemporary fiber artists and sculptors working in both traditional and non-traditional formats. Artists include: Janice Arnold, Richard Bassett, Carole Beadle, Rachel Brumer, Lia Cook, Lauren Dioccio, Mary Josephson, Lisa Occhipinti, Gertrud Parker, Sabine Reckewell, Esther Traugot, Annie Vought, and May Wilson.
511 B Street, Santa Rosa

History Museum
November 1 through February 7, Journey to Fountaingrove: From Feudal Japan to California Utopia
*** Opening reception, Sunday, November 8, from 4 to 6 p.m., Members; Free, Nonmembers; $10
With items from the museum collection, Paradise Ridge Winery, and private collectors, this exhibit spans the large geographical and cultural distance that Mr. Nagasawa had to navigate. It is the story of the connections that brought this unusual man to Santa Rosa.

November 7 through January 10, Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation
*** Opening reception, Sunday, November 8, from 4 to 6 p.m., Members; Free, Nonmembers; $10
425 Seventh Street, Santa Rosa
707-579-1500
www.museumsc.org

Poster by Michael Myers.

North Bay Letterpress Arts, at Iota Press
November 14 and 15, from 12 to 5 p.m., Michael Myers
A rare showing of work by the brilliant artist/illustrator Michael Myers. Over 40 prints have recently been made at Iota Press from Myers’ original linoleum blocks that are perfectly expressive of the literary and artistic radicalism of Northern California in the 1970s. Myers worked in a radical printing group called Zephyrus Image, which started in San Francisco in the early 1970s, moved to the hills north of Healdsburg, and ended with Myers’ tragic death in 1982.
Iota Press
925d Gravenstein Hwy. S. Sebastopol
northbayletterpressarts.org

By Bruce Johnson.

Occidental Center for the Arts
November 6 through January 3, Energy Materialized, Juried Paintings & Sculptures of Bruce Johnson and Riis Burwell
*** Opening reception, Friday, November 6, from 5 to 7 p.m.
This exhibit features the work of two nationally and internationally known sculptors. Johnson works primarily in wood and Burwell works in various metals. The work of these two sculptors has a synergy derived from their similar response to the energy of the natural world. The juried paintings that accompany the sculpture exhibit are selected to enhance the abstract forms created by these two sculptors.
3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental
707-874-9392
www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org

Paradise Ridge Winery Sculpture
Through April 2016, Conversations in Sculpture
The exhibition of large outdoor sculpture combines outstanding art with a beautiful and natural setting. Eleven artists explore the theme of Conversations—defined as an exchange of ideas. Participating artists are Terry Berlier, Welat Najeeb, Dee Briggs, Joey Enos, Linda Fleming, Jin Lee, JP Long, Nathan Lynch, Mark Malmberg, Gregory Pagel, and Sabine Reckewell.
4545 Thomas Lake Harris Drive, Santa Rosa
www.celebratesculpture.com or www.prwinery.com

Petaluma Arts Center
Through November 22, Black Artists on Art: The Legacy Exhibit
The Black Artists on Art exhibition features over 50 contemporary and legendary Black fine artists spanning three generations, including Elizabeth Catlett, Jacob Lawrence, Charles White, George P-Funk Clinton, and Dr. Samella Lewis. Artist, art historian, and collector Samella Lewis is renowned for her contributions to African American art and art history. In 1951 she became the first African American woman to receive her doctorate in fine arts and art history.
230 Lakeville Street, Petaluma
707-762-5600
www.petalumaartscenter.org

By Gary Kaplan.

Petaluma Historic Library and Museum
November 5 through December 27, Artists and Artisans of Petaluma
*** Opening reception, Saturday, November 14, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Showcasing the diverse talent that Petaluma has to offer, photographer, Gary Kaplan, visited twenty four artists and photographed each artists in their work environment. Along with these stunning color photographs will be a piece by each participant. The show includes fine artists, painters, metalworkers, ceramicists, violin maker, guitar maker, illustrators, tattoo artist, photographer, letterpress printer, performance painter, bike maker, map maker, and a vintner.
20 4th St., Petaluma
707-778-4398
www.petalumamuseum.com

Ocean Dream, by Sarah Brayer.

Ren Brown Collection Gallery
Currently on view are recent acquisitions of work by Sarah Brayer, Katsunori Hamanishi, Daniel Kelly, Gashu Fukami, Carol Brighton, Shigeki Kuroda, and Bill Poulson. 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.
1781 Coast Highway One, Bodega Bay
707-875-2922
www.renbrown.com

Riverfront Art Gallery
November 11 through January 6, Late Fall Show
*** Opening and Art Walk Reception, Saturday, November 14, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Featured Artists, Henry White, and Lance Kuehne, with New Member, Georgianne Fastaia.
132 Petaluma Boulevard North, Petaluma
707-775-4278
www.riverfrontartgallery.com

By Matt Black.

Santa Rosa Junior College, Robert F. Agrella Art Gallery
November 12 through December 10, Matt Black – Clouds to Dust and Framing Migrant Labor – 50 years of Photos, Videos, and Oral Histories
*** Opening reception, Monday, November 16, from 4 to 6 p.m.
This exhibit connects the past and the present with photographs, videos, and story telling to reflect on local agricultural roots, and migrant labor. Matt Black is an award-winning American photographer working in the photo-essay form, who has focused on rural life in the Central Valley for over 20 years.
1501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa
707-527-4298
www.santarosa.edu/art-gallery

Sculpturesite Gallery
Through December 5, 25th Anniversary Exhibition
This exhibition of figurative and abstract works by 33 artists, features Kati Casida, Mark Chatterley, John Tyler, Curt Brill, Robert Holmes, Nina Lyons, Gerard Tsutakawa, Hans Van de Bovenkamp and John Denning. Clement Meadmore, Jeffery Laudenslager, Bella Feldman, John Atkin, Peter Schifrin, Mike Gustavson, Holly Curcio, Carole Feuerman, Troy Pillow, Gale Hart, Jane Burton, Frances Semple, JP Long, Dina Angel-Wing, Steven Maslach, Joseph Slusky, Rob Lorenson, Rebecca Welz, Richard Taylor, Emil Alzamora, Jon Krawczyk, Tyler Burton, Judith Stewart and Dawn Hart.
Jack London Village
14301 Arnold Dr. Suite 8, Glen Ellen
707-933-1300
www.sculpturesite.com

Daigo, by Ealish Wilson.

Sebastopol Center for the Arts
Through November 28, International Fiber Arts VII
This biennial juried exhibition presents distinct and innovative approaches to fiber art techniques, and contemporary concepts for the use of traditional and unusual materials. Jurors Lia Cook, John Hopper, Kyoko Kumai selected 63 pieces for the exhibition.
282 High Street, in the Veterans’ Memorial Bldg., Sebastopol
707-829-4797
www.sebarts.org

Baby Chick, by Jeff Watts

Sebastopol Gallery
Through November 21, Jeff Watts–Feathers and Fur
Watts states “Animals in general grab my attention and I simply want to paint them. Conveying the soul of my subjects is my ultimate goal. I focus a lot on depicting the eyes, the lay of the feathers, and texture of the fur”.

Also showing; Pomo Images, Paintings by Sandy Eastoak
The Pomo Project fosters awareness of Pomo history and traditions, supports Pomo people having an active voice in contemporary challenges, and values collaboration with all Pomo people toward reconciliation and understanding.
150 North Main, Sebastopol
707-829-7200
www.sebastopol-gallery.com

Sonoma State University, University Art Gallery
November 5 through December 13, Linear Equations
*** Opening reception, Thursday, November 5, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The exhibition features the work of Mari Andrews, Marc Katano, and Sabine Reckewell.
1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park
707-664-2295
www.sonoma.edu/artgallery

Sonoma Valley Museum of Art
Through December 6, Jane Baldwin: Kara Women Speak
Through portraiture and film, Sonoma Valley photographer Jane Baldwin gives voice to the women of the Omo River Valley of Southwestern Ethiopia and Northern Kenya.

Also showing; An Accomplishment in Creativity: The Egyptian Children’s Tapestries
Prior to formal schooling, children between the ages of 5 and 10 in the small Coptic Christian village of Harrania, were selected to weave images created entirely in their mind’s eye.
551 Broadway, Sonoma
707-939-7862
www.svma.org

Cathedral Rocks, by James David Smillie.

The Annex Galleries
Through December 3, James David Smillie (1833-1909); Paintings of The Yo-Semite
Celebrating the 125th Anniversary of Yosemite National Park, this exhibition of oil paintings of the Yo-Semite, includes views of Sentinel Rock, Cathedral Rocks, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Mt. Watkins.
604 College Avenue, Santa Rosa
707-546-7352
www.annexgalleries.com

By Mark Eanes.

The Art Wall at Shige Sushi
Through November 29, Mark Eanes; Mixed Media, Painting
Mark Eanes is a painter, printmaker, photographer, curator, and educator who lives and works in Benicia, California. Mark is currently an Associate Professor of Art at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco. His most recent commission work is a twenty-five foot mural installed at the new wing of Vallejo’s Kaiser hospital.
8235 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati
707-795-9753
http://ctalcroft.wix.com/artwallatshige

Upstairs Art Gallery
306 Center St., Healdsburg
707-431-4214
www.upstairsartgallerysite.com

Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, Sculpture Garden
Through June 2017, Root 101
On view in the new Sculpture Garden is the inaugural exhibition of recent work by Bruce Johnson. The work is comprised of colossal wood sculptures made from salvaged old growth redwood, which he has been working with for over 50 years.
50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa
wellsfargocenterarts.org, formandenergy.com/new/root101

If you would like to receive these posts in your e-mail each month, please sign up to follow my blog. This post also appears on my Facebook page; Satri’s Best Bets in the Visual Arts.