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.

Winter Shadows, Jamie Azevedo.

Art Escape
December 3 through January 30, Winter Shadows
*** Opening Reception Saturday December 12, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Open House and Free Ornament Workshop and Origami Demonstration.
17474 Hwy. 12, Boyes Hot Springs in Sonoma
707-938-5551
artescapesonoma.com

Arts Guild of Sonoma
Through December 28, Holiday Invitational
*** Artists reception; Saturday, December 5, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Guest Artists, Deborah Baretta, Sonia Bakalyar, Marsha Balian, Suzanne Brangham, Alex Cole, Barbara Crow , Elizabeth Dekker, Kate Dumont, Al McCurdy, Sandy McHenry, Eden C. Pieper, Rosario Sapienza, Joan Shepard, John Sumner, and Lia Transue.
140 East Napa Street, Sonoma
707-996-3115
artsguildofsonoma.org

Episode 2, Michael McMillan

Calabi Gallery
Through January 16, Michael McMillan – Woodblock Prints
Perhaps best known for his groundbreaking work as a cartoonist, McMillan has mostly concentrated on printmaking in recent years. This show focuses on the woodblock prints of the last 15 years. Also featuring a gallery group show with many artists including Douglas Ballou, Mary Jarvis, Sherrie Lovler, Lucy Martin, Michael Ramos, and Alejandro Salazar.  As usual, a selection of their vintage works will be on view as well.
456 Tenth St., Santa Rosa
707-781-7070
www.calabigallery.com

Charles M. Schulz Museum
Through April 24, 2016, Snoopy and the Red Baron
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 January 2, Thea Goldstine: Paintings
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
http://christiemarksfineart.com

Chroma Gallery
Through December 27, Four Seasons: Sonoma County Landscapes
Featuring the work of Brooks Anderson, Thomas Creed, and Donna DeLaBriandais.
312 South A Street, Santa Rosa
707-293-6051
www.chromagallery.net

Century of Progress, Ron Rodgers.

Cloverdale Arts Alliance Gallery
Through January 14, Encore
Showing work by 10 artists in a variety of media. With guest artists, Alain Bloom, Ron Rodgers, and Barbara Tocher.
204 N. Cloverdale Boulevard, Cloverdale
707-894-4410
www.cloverdaleartsalliance.org

Corricks – Art Trails Gallery
December 4 through January 16, Inspired by Nature, Highlighting Pepperwood Preserve
*** Reception Friday, December 4, from 5 to 7 p.m.
A collection of some of Sonoma County’s finest Nature-inspired works of art, highlighting the beautiful Pepperwood Preserve and the work they do.
637 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa
707-546-2424
www.corricks.com

Graton Gallery
Through December 13, Double Vision
Artwork by Bruce K Hopkins and Susan Shore, with Guest Artists; Cynthia Jackson-Hein, Clair Fenton May, Helen Mehl, and Jennifer Whitfield.

By Sally Baker.

December 15 through January 24, Under the Influence
*** Artist’s Reception, Saturday, December 19, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Showing artwork by Sally Baker with Taylor Gutermute and Susan Ryan, also showing Guest artists; Charlotte Ballenger, Jill See, Marcy Silveira and Lynn Slade.
9048 Graton Road, Graton
707-829-8912
www.gratongallery.net

Smoke Up the Chimney, by Mike Tinney.

Hammerfriar Gallery
Through January 14, Paintings by Laura Hoffman and Mike Tinney
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 December 31, 13th Annual Holiday Gift Gallery
Featuring work from over fifty regional artists, with events and activities throughout the month.
9130 Plaza Street, Healdsburg
707-431-1970
www.healdsburgcenterforthearts.com

Ice House Gallery
Through January 5, Catch and Release II
*** Opening Reception, Saturday, December 12, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Catch and Release II is an exhibition of works of art (and curiosities) from the collection of Robert Flynn Johnson, Curator Emeritus of the Achenbach Foundation of Graphic Art.
405 East D Street, Studio B, Petaluma
707-778-2238
www.icehousegallery.org

Philip Glass, by Chuck Close.

Museums of Sonoma County
Art Museum
December 12 Through February 7, Inside Magnolia Editions: Collaboration and Innovation
Under the direction of Don and Era Farnsworth since 1981, Magnolia Editions has been on the front lines of innovation, collaboration, and advocacy for timely and pressing social and political issues. This high-end printmaking studio works shoulder to shoulder with renowned artists from the San Francisco, New York, as well as other national and international regions. Exhibition is curated by Randy Rosenberg in collaboration with Don and Era Farnsworth.
511 B Street, Santa Rosa

History Museum
Through February 7, Journey to Fountaingrove: From Feudal Japan to California Utopia
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. Through January 10, Beyond Bollywood: Indian Americans Shape the Nation
425 Seventh Street, Santa Rosa
707-579-1500
www.museumsc.org

Occidental Center for the Arts
Through January 3, Energy Materialized, Juried Paintings & Sculptures of Bruce Johnson and Riis Burwell
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

By Hella Merrill.

Petaluma Arts Center
December 5 through January 24, 15th Annual PAC Members’ Exhibition
*** Opening reception, Saturday, December 5, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Showcasing a selection of artwork as varied as the hundreds of artist members in the Petaluma area.
Featured artist, Hella Merrill, applies a mix of natural solutions that might include salt, ammonia, vinegar and other materials to sheets of brass or copper, creating abstract patterns on the metal surfaces.
230 Lakeville Street, Petaluma
707-762-5600
www.petalumaartscenter.org

Petaluma Historic Library and Museum
Through December 27, Artists and Artisans of Petaluma
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

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
Through January 3, Late Fall Show
*** Art Walk Reception, Saturday, December 12, from 5 to 8 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

Santa Rosa Junior College, Robert F. Agrella Art Gallery
Through December 10, Matt Black – Clouds to Dust and Framing Migrant Labor – 50 years of Photos, Videos, and Oral Histories
This exhibit connects the past and the present with photographs, videos, and storytelling 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

Sebastopol Center for the Arts
December 4 through December 31, Members Show 2015
*** Opening Reception Friday, December 4, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
This non-juried, most eclectic and inclusive exhibition of the year features more than 350 pieces of beautiful artwork by SCA members, ranging from painting to drawing to prints or sculpture.
282 High Street, in the Veterans’ Memorial Bldg., Sebastopol
707-829-4797
www.sebarts.org

Sebastopol Gallery
Through January 9, First Looks and Second Chances
*** Artist Reception Saturday, December 12, 4 to 6 p.m.
Featuring new works by Assemblage Artist Rebeca Trevino, and Painter James Reynolds.
150 North Main, Sebastopol
707.829.7200
www.sebastopol-gallery.com

Sonoma State University, University Art Gallery
Through December 13, Linear Equations
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

Species that resent the cold, by Frances McCormack, 2014

Sonoma Valley Museum of Art
December 19 through March 6, Contemplative Elements: Danae Mattes and Frances McCormack
Both Danae Mattes and Frances McCormack meditate on nature’s elements that manifest a range of energies. Mattes combines materials and methods that are, in themselves, extracted from the earth. McCormack’s paintings manifest a range of feelings reflected through the natural world in an invented space.

Also showing; Between Nature & Technology
Courtney Eagan and David Sullivan’s art practices span animation, sound, sculpture, photography and interactivity to explore the delicate and evolving relationship between people, technology and the environment.
551 Broadway, Sonoma
707-939-7862
www.svma.org

Jewel Flower, by Jenny Honnert Abell

The Art Wall at Shige Sushi
December 1 through January 31, Jenny Honnert Abell
*** Opening reception: Monday, December 7, from 5 to 7 p.m.
On view are intimate mixed-media works with a focus on subtle exotic imagery.
8235 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati
707-795-9753
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.