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.

 

Apple Blossom Festival Art Show
April 15, 16 and 17
*** Opening reception Friday, April 15 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
An exhibition by members of the Art Workshop of Western Sonoma County (AWS) will be on view at Sebastopol Center for the Arts during the annual Apple Blossom Festival. Admission to the reception is free, wine and appetizers will be served. The exhibition continues on Saturday, April 16, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrance to the art show is included in the Apple Blossom Festival admission. Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 S. High Street.
www.awsomeart.org, www.appleblossomfest.com

 

Calabi Gallery
Through April 30, 3/16th OFF!
On view are artworks from their vintage collection as well as new and contemporary work by Douglas Ballou, Warren Bellows, C.K.Itamura, Jim Spitzer, and many others. In addition, they will be featuring work by new gallery artist, Catherine Daley.
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 April 16, Translations; Photography by Don Van Amerongen
The show features digitally painted photos taken in Myanmar, India and Tibet. Don’s work explores the interpretive intersection between color, form, and meaning, while reimagining the ancient artifacts, places and spiritual traditions of these mystical lands.
312 South A Street, Suite #7, Santa Rosa
707-695-1011
http://christiemarksfineart.com

Chroma Gallery
Through April 22, Art of The Figure
Featuring 50 works by artists participating in life drawing groups throughout Sonoma County. In a ritual centuries old, dozens of Sonoma County artists get together to draw or paint from live models in art centers, galleries and homes. This exhibit showcases artwork inspired or created in these group sessions.
312 South A Street, Santa Rosa
707-293-6051
www.chromagallery.net

Cloverdale Arts Alliance Gallery
Through May 19, Poetry
Guest Artists are Judy Anton and Ann Frowick. Resident Artists displaying new art include Laura Paine Carr, Pamela Heck, Terry Holleman, Sharon Kozel, Paul Maurer, and Hanya Popova Parker.
204 N. Cloverdale Boulevard, Cloverdale
707-894-4410
www.cloverdaleartsalliance.org

Corrick’s Art Trails Gallery
Through April 30, Rubin, Krohn And Baker
*** Opening Reception Friday April 1, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Local photographer Peter Krohn, and painters Sally Baker and Sandra Rubin will be the featured artists at the Gallery at Corrick’s.
637 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa
www.corricks.com

Gallery 300
Through April 24, Visualization: Seeing Through The Eyes Of Two Women Artists
*** Closing Reception Sunday, April 24 from 2 to 5 p.m.
This exhibition of all new work by Jennifer Hirshfield and C.K.Itamura explores the differences between and commonalities of their approaches to creating art and the materials they use to manifest their visions.
300 South A Street, Santa Rosa
Gallery-300.com

Graton Gallery
Through April 10, Nine Artists ~ Nine Perspectives
Graton Gallery Partners Show Featuring: Sally Baker, Susan R. Ball, Marylu Downing, Bruce K. Hopkins, Rik Olson, Pamella Powell, Susan Proehl, Sandra Rubin, and Mylette Welch. With guest artists Tim Haworth, Nancy Lee, Steve Richards, and Jill See.

April 12 through May 22, Rik Olson—What was I Thinking?
*** Artists Reception, Saturday, April 16, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
New prints by Rik Olson, with Guest artists; Rose Easterbrook, Peter Fronk, Adriane Hatkoff, and Susan Peterson.
9048 Graton Road, Graton
707-829-8912
www.gratongallery.net

Hammerfriar Gallery
Through April 9, Moving Target: American Dream
A mixed media exhibit of work by Ryan Carrington, who deals with a wide range of issues that connect labor, class, work ethic, and economics with his personal history and family. Using cast objects, construction materials, and tools that combine craftsmanship with symbolic irony, he is able to communicate his thoughts, ideas, and memories regarding themes of labor.

April 23 through June 25, “Grace”, photographs by Elisabeth Sunday
*** Opening Reception, Saturday, April 23, from 6 to 9 p.m.
For 26 years Elisabeth Sunday has traveled alone and lived among various original peoples of Africa. Sunday’s photographs reveal an interplay of invisible forces that connect her subjects with the world of nature. Utilizing a flexible mirror of her own design, she photographs reflections that blend and dissolve the boundaries between her figures and their environment.
132 Mill Street, Ste.101, Healdsburg
707-473-9600
www.hammerfriar.com

Healdsburg Center for the Arts
Through April 10, Full Circle: Pond Farm Revisited
Showcasing the work of five potters; Thor Thornson, Peter Hegland, Jeanne and David Aurelius, Kate and Jere Huffman, who were students of Marguerite Wildenhain at the historical Pond Farm Pottery, located in Armstrong Woods.

April 14 through May 22, Look! Book Arts
*** Opening Reception Saturday, April 16, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Featuring work by more than 75 artists, printers and poets, this exhibition provides a look at diverse forms of bookbinding, printing, calligraphy, paper marbling, and other arts and crafts associated with traditional forms of making books by hand. Pop-Up Print Shop on April 23, 1 to 4 p.m., this FREE activity is great for adults and children and is Sponsored by San Francisco Center for the Book. Closing Tea & Salon on Sunday May 22, from 2 to 4 p.m.
9130 Plaza Street, Healdsburg
707-431-1970
www.healdsburgcenterforthearts.com

Ice House Gallery
405 East D Street, Studio B, Petaluma
707-778-2238
www.icehousegallery.org

Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation, Heron Hall Art Gallery
Through April 24, California Flora
On view are botanical paintings in colored pencil by Nina Antze.
900 Sanford Rd., Santa Rosa
www.lagunafoundation.org

My Daughter the Framer, inside Corrick’s
Through April 30, Pieter Myers and Susan Ryan
Photogravure prints of figure drawings by Pieter Myers, and sculptures by Susan Ryan.
637 4th Street, Santa Rosa
707-542-3599
www.mydaughtertheframer.com

Museums of Sonoma County
Art Museum
Through April 17, Running Fence: 40 Years Post
Honoring the 40th anniversary of the Running Fence since it graced the hills of Sonoma and Marin Counties in 1976, the show features artwork by Christo and Jeanne-Claude from the Tom Golden collection, including drawings, sculptures, collages, and photographs. Check their website for related events.
511 B Street, Santa Rosa

History Museum
Through May 15, Building the American Dream: Sonoma County After the War
The impact of the postwar period on Sonoma County cannot be overstated. From its agrarian roots, the county emerged into a modern suburban landscape. With its growing population, cars proliferated, housing and shopping centers grew, drive-ins, rock and roll, and even poodle skirts became part of the scene.
425 Seventh Street, Santa Rosa
707-579-1500
www.museumsc.org

Occidental Center for the Arts
Through May 7, X Posed
Showing artwork by participants of the ongoing Thursday Night Drawing Group.
3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental
707-874-9392
www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org

Paul Mahder Gallery
Through June 4, Transition
*** Opening Reception Sunday, April 17, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Showing glass sculpture and pastel drawings by Ann Wolff; and new paintings by Gurpran Rau.
222 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg
707-473-9150
www.paulmahdergallery.com

 

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 May 1, Cast, Forged & Welded: MetalWorks
Showcasing the work of ten Bay Area artists, the exhibition explores contemporary trends in metal sculpture and demonstrates a variety of ways the unique properties of metal are used to create expressive and design-focused works of art. See their website for a list of related events.
230 Lakeville Street, Petaluma
707-762-5600
www.petalumaartscenter.org

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 May 8, Annual Juried Photography Show
Featuring the work of over 20 artists using straight as well as mixed-media photography.
132 Petaluma Boulevard North, Petaluma
707-775-4278
www.riverfrontartgallery.com

Santa Rosa Junior College, Robert F. Agrella Art Gallery
1501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa
707-527-4298
www.santarosa.edu/art-gallery

Sebastopol Center for the Arts
Through April 10, Passion for the Arts
A juried exhibition of work by High School and College Art Students.

April 15 through May 1, Spring into Nature – A Trip through My Sonoma County
*** Reception for parents and artists, Sunday April 24, from 2 to 4 p.m.
A Collaborative Art Installation by/for Sonoma County Students Grades 1 through 8, showcasing student art depicting the wonders of nature in all her glory, especially as experienced by young people all over beautiful Sonoma County.
282 High Street, in the Veterans’ Memorial Bldg., Sebastopol
707-829-4797
www.sebarts.org

Sebastopol Gallery
April 25 through June 12, TREEN
*** Artist’s Reception on Saturday, May 7 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Small handmade functional household objects made of wood by Sebastopol wood-turner, Kalia Kliban.
150 N. Main St, Sebastopol
707-829-7200
www.sebastopol-gallery.com/

 

Sonoma State University, University Art Gallery
Through April 24, Juried Student Exhibition 2016
The exhibition features over 40 artworks in a variety of media, such as painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, drawing, and mixed media, which reflects courses offered in the art studio program at Sonoma State as well as the students’ own individual creativity. Juried by artists Mari Andrews, and Chris Finley.

April 28 through May 21, BFA Exhibition 2016
*** Opening Reception Thursday, April 28, from 5 to 7 p.m.
1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park
707-664-2295
www.sonoma.edu/artgallery

Sonoma State University Library, 2North Gallery
Through May 27, John LeBaron: A Lifetime of Photography
With an artist’s eye, enhanced by his years as a photojournalist and photography teacher, John LeBaron shared his view of the natural world – landscape, faces, shapes and textures, light and shadow.
Sonoma State University Library
1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park
707-664-2397
http://library.sonoma.edu

Sonoma Valley Museum of Art
Through June 12, Modern Twist: Contemporary Japanese Bamboo Art
Modern Twist explores the evocative, sensual and sculptural power of contemporary bamboo art. It brings 38 exceptional works by 17 Japanese artists, displaying many of these technically innovative and imaginatively crafted works for the first time.

Thomas Ingmire: Contemporary Calligraphy
Internationally renowned calligrapher Thomas Ingmire transgresses the boundaries of painting as well as the beauty of language in this exhibition of artist’s books, calligraphic works, drawings and sketchbooks.
551 Broadway, Sonoma
707-939-7862
www.svma.org

The Art Wall at Shige Sushi
April 5 through May 29, Lewis Bodecker —Paintings and Drawings
*** Reception Monday, April 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The abstract paintings and drawings by North Bay artist, Lewis Bodecker (1926-2009), from the collection of Kevin Berry and Maureen Baumgartner, often employ patches of color—usually subtle, but sometimes quite vibrant—overlaid with scribbling and other linear marks, including letters and numbers. Bodecker studied art at Sonoma State University and taught classes there.
8235 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati
707-795-9753
http://ctalcroft.wix.com/artwallatshige/

The PASSDOOR
Through April 30, Choreography of Color by Jill Keller Peters
Keller Peters is introducing her new paintings that combine warms and cools, lights and shadow, expressed in color-filled squares. The theme is an exploration of the rhythms and movements of color created to examine the states of wellbeing and wonder. These paintings are simple, yet complex in the relationship between each carefully chosen color present on the canvas.
6780 McKinley St., #150, The Barlow, Sebastopol
www.thepassdoor.net/

Upstairs Art Gallery
Through April 27, Nature’s Infinite Beauty-Botanical art by Victoria Kochergin
*** Opening Reception Saturday April 9, from 3 to 7 p.m.
Extreme detail, subtle variances in hue and translucent color layers are trademarks of Victoria Kochergin’s artwork. Working from live objects, Victoria works weeks to months on a single piece. Victoria is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists and the Northern California Society of Botanical Artists.
306 Center St., Healdsburg.
www.Upstairsartgallery.net

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
http://wellsfargocenterarts.org/
http://formandenergy.com/new/root101/

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