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.
Arts Guild of Sonoma
Through December 3, Donna Broder
*** Opening Reception Thursday, November 1, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Featured Artist, Donna Broder, creates abstract art in different mediums, particularly printmaking with monotypes and wood cuts. Also showing are works by AGS members.
140 East Napa Street, Sonoma
707-996-3115
www.artsguildofsonoma.org
Blasted Art Gallery
Through November 2, Nicole Irene Anderson and Avery Caauwe
*** Closing Reception with the Artists Friday, November 2, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Two Sonoma County artists explore contemporary issues, including the advancement of technology, the fate of the environment, and the shape of our future world.
Art Alley, South A Street
SOFA Arts District, Santa Rosa
707-888-1026
www.blastedartgallery.com
Calabi Gallery
Through November 24, Art of Social Commentary
On view is work by artists, both past and present, responding to social and political issues of importance to them. Some of the works date back to the mid-19th century but remain frighteningly relevant today, and the contemporary artists offer fresh viewpoints on current issues.
456 Tenth St., Santa Rosa
707-781-7070
www.calabigallery.com
Charles M. Schulz Museum
Through March 10, Then Came the Dog
Charles M. Schulz had a lifetime affinity for dogs: beginning with his boyhood dog Spike, who inspired his first cartoon, to creating the world’s most famous beagle Snoopy, who inspired thousands more. In Then Came the Dog, you can simultaneously trace Schulz’s life-long love for dogs and Snoopy’s life-long love for himself. As we journey from Schulz’s backyard into Snoopy’s, discover the life of a man and his best friend through the lens of the Peanuts comic strip.
2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa
707-579-4452
www.schulzmuseum.org
Chroma Gallery / Santa Rosa Arts Center
Through November 17, Wonder and Whimsy
An exhibit of collage and assemblage, whimsical and wondrous art in unexpected combinations to delight, surprise, provoke, and blur the boundaries of the two- and three-dimensional.
SOFA Arts District
312 South A Street, Santa Rosa
707-293-6051
www.chromagallery.net
Cloverdale Arts Alliance Gallery
Through November 16, Nurture
Guest artists for this exhibit are sculptor Caro Pemberton and painter Aldo Longo. Resident artists include Laura Paine Carr, Pamela Heck, Terry Holleman, Paul Maurer and Hanya Popova Parker. Ceramicist Jane Gardner is the featured resident artist.
204 N. Cloverdale Boulevard, Cloverdale
707-894-4410
www.cloverdaleartsalliance.org
Corricks Art Trails Gallery
November 2 through November 30, Collage & Mixed Media
*** First Friday Meet the Artists reception, November 2, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The exhibit features ten different Sonoma County artists, representing diverse combinations of materials and textures using collage, assemblage and mixed media.
637 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa
707-546-2424
www.corricks.com
Fulton Crossing Gallery
*** Open Studio Event on Friday November 16, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Side by Side features artists Lynn Bell and Linda Guzzetta.
1200 River Rd, Fulton
www.fultoncrossing.com
Graton Gallery
Through December 2, From Clayton to Graton 2
*** Artists Reception Saturday, November 3, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Featuring Rik Olson and Fred Kling, two friends from the first grade showing their Artwork together. Guest Artists include Janet Doto, Don Kuhn, Laura Mueller, and Francesca Scalpi.
9048 Graton Road, Graton
707-829-8912
www.gratongallery.net
Hammerfriar Gallery
Through December 29, Adela Akers – Threaded Reflections
The artistic career of Adela Akers spans the entire history of modern fiber art. Using her loom and chosen materials of linen, horsehair, metal foil and acrylic paint, she celebrates the calm of geometric patterning and expressive lines. Born in Spain, raised in Cuba, Akers was influenced by Pre-Columbian designs, and paintings by women of the Mbuti, Congo. She studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and later at the Cranbrook Academy of Art. Akers is Professor Emeritus at the Tyler School of Art of Temple University, and her work can be found in the collections of the Renwick Gallery, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Art and Design.
132 Mill Street, Ste.101, Healdsburg
707-473-9600
www.hammerfriar.com
Healdsburg Center for the Arts
Through November 18, Emerging Artists
The Fifth Annual Emerging Artists Exhibition features artists ranging in age from 18-30 years old, either living in or have studied in Sonoma County, California or the greater Bay Area.
130 Plaza Street, Healdsburg
707-431-1970
https://healdsburgcenterforthearts.org
Laguna Foundation, Heron Hall
Through December 21, With Awe and Wonder: A Celebration of Nature’s Beauty
This exhibit represents some of the best of local photographer Brenda Tharp’s work from the past 30 years – from the Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed to Yosemite, Utah to Michigan, Oregon to Alaska, and her own backyard in Santa Rosa. Brenda has traveled to Namibia, Botswana, Alaska, Cuba, Italy, Slovenia, and throughout the USA in search of images that express the beauty of this planet and the wildlife that inhabits it.
900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa
707-527-9277
www.lagunafoundation.org
Museum of Sonoma County
Art
Through January 27, From the Fire
From the Fire: A Community Reflects and Rebuilds commemorates the anniversary of the firestorm that devastated large areas of Sonoma County and the North Bay in October 2017. The exhibition examines the fires from personal, historical, and environmental perspectives, as well as highlight art’s power as a healing tool and creative outlet.
History
November 17 through January 6, 2019, Artistry in Wood
*** Opening Reception Friday, November 16, from 5 to 7 p.m.
General admission applies; members free.
The 30th Annual Artistry in Wood continues the collaboration between Museum of Sonoma County and the Sonoma County Woodworkers Association. This major showcase of fine regional craftsmanship has evolved from a modest exhibition featuring the work of local woodworkers, into something much greater. It has become one of the most respected annual exhibitions of woodwork in the state. The exhibition is evaluated by expert judges for the Best of Show as well as awards of merit.
425 Seventh Street, Santa Rosa
707-579-1500
www.museumsc.org
Occidental Center for the Arts
Through November 18, Myth and Magic
An exhibition of work by Sonoma County artists, juried by Jennifer Mazzucco.
November 23 through January 13, 2019, Small Works Exhibit
3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental
707-874-9392
www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org
Paul Mahder Gallery
Through November 18, Lawrence Gipe
Lawrence Gipe’s work addresses themes of power, propaganda, with the goal of analyzing semiotics and codes of meaning in authoritarian visual culture. Gipe’s work encompasses painting, drawing, video, collaborative installations and curatorial projects.
222 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg
707-473-9150
www.paulmahdergallery.com
Paradise Ridge Winery Sculpture
While the post-fire rebuilding takes place the three-acre sculpture garden, which includes the two-story-tall LOVE sculpture, has reopened to the public.
4545 Thomas Lake Harris Drive, Santa Rosa
707-528-9463
www.prwinery.com
Petaluma Arts Center
Through November 17, Renewal through Art
This exhibition of work by artists affected by the fires is a celebration of the revitalizing power of art. Works were created specifically as a response to the fires, including some art that integrates rescued and reclaimed fire artifacts. These fascinating pieces demonstrate the capacity of art to bring forth the resiliency of the human spirit in the face of catastrophe.
230 Lakeville Street, Petaluma
707-762-5600
www.petalumaartscenter.org
Pie Eyed Open Studio
*** Saturday and Sunday, November 10 and 11, from 12 to 4 p.m. each day.
The Last Pie Eyed Show for 2018 features recent paintings from long-time artist friends, Lauri Luck and Ronnie Sampson. Both artists share an affinity for the overlooked and imperfect as Luck focuses on stray dogs and Sampson on throwaway chairs bringing unexplained and introspective narratives to life. Join us for exciting art, scintillating conversation and lots of fresh yummy pies!
2371 Gravenstein Hwy South, Sebastopol
Look for the ART + PIE sign and turn at the Giant Yellow Duck!
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.
1781 Coast Highway One, Bodega Bay
707-875-2922
www.renbrown.com
Riverfront Art Gallery
November 7 through January 6, Late Fall Show
*** Reception and Artwalk Saturday, November 10, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Lost in Creation, paintings by Dan Kabanuck and Billy Korbus; whose skills with pouring paint allow them to create dynamic, stunning visually-textured works. Also showing, Recent Photographs by Lance Kuehne.
132 Petaluma Boulevard North, Petaluma
707-775-4278
www.riverfrontartgallery.com
Santa Rosa Junior College, Robert F. Agrella Art Gallery
Through December 20, Rising From The Ashes: Sonoma County Fires 2017
Pulitzer Prize Winning Coverage from the Press Democrat. Gullixson: Meanwhile, here’s what went on inside The Press Democrat. “My colleagues here at The Press Democrat have done a phenomenal job of telling the story during the past week of the greatest natural disaster to ever hit our home. They have told in detail the battles to save homes, businesses and lives from Sonoma to Geyserville to Calistoga. But what they haven’t done well, journalists rarely do, is tell their own story. In a nutshell, here is how this community nightmare unfolded for them. As usual, any fire story begins with one person — PD photojournalist Kent Porter . . .”
1501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa
707-527-4298
https://art-gallery.santarosa.edu
Sebastopol Center for the Arts
Through December 2, Reverberations
An exhibition of rarely-seen exquisite fine art selected from private collections paired with new poetry inspired by these artworks. Included are works by Pablo Picasso, Julie Mehretu, Francis Bacon, and Käthe Kollwitz, to name a few. See website for list of related events and programs.
Also on view; A Pilgrimage: The Sculpture & Photography of Genevieve Willson Barnhart
A retrospective exhibition by California artist Genevieve Willson Barnhart featuring bronze sculpture, jewelry, and black and white photography. This show charts an artistic career spanning more than 80 years.
282 High Street, Sebastopol
707-829-4797
www.sebarts.org
Sebastopol Gallery
150 N. Main St., Sebastopol
707-829-7200
www.sebastopol-gallery.com/
Sonoma State University, University Art Gallery
November 8 through December 9, 40 by 40
*** Opening reception, Thursday, November 8, from 4 to 7 p.m.
The Fortieth Anniversary Exhibition, 1978 to 2018, features the work of 40 artists in celebration of 40 years of gallery exhibitions.
1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park
707-664-2295
www.sonoma.edu/artgallery
Sonoma State University, Library Gallery
Through December 14, Reflections: After the Fire
The Fall 2017 Firestorm expressed through painting, photography, video, and mixed media by 21 participants.
1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park
707-664-2295
http://library.sonoma.edu
Sonoma Valley Museum of Art
Through January 6, From Fire, Love Rises: Stories Shared from the Artist Community
From Fire, Love Rises commemorates artists who were impacted by the October 2017 fires in Sonoma and Napa Counties. The exhibition features 14 artists and 19 writers who work in bronze, photography, ceramics, printmaking, new media, poetry, and prose to express their countless stories of loss, gratitude, and resiliency that have emerged in the year since the fires. Related events listed on website.
Also in the museum; 20 Sonoma Collectors: Celebrating SVMA’s 20th Year. The exhibition provides a unique opportunity to view contemporary art from important Sonoma collections, including works by Squeak Carnwath, Shepard Fairey, Roy De Forest, Tom Friedman, Jacob Hashimoto, David Hockney, Robert Mapplethorpe, Claes Oldenburg, Kiki Smith, and Andy Warhol, among others.
551 Broadway, Sonoma
707-939-7862
www.svma.org
The Art Wall at Shige Sushi
Through December 30, Sherrie Lovler – Calligraphic Paintings
*** Opening reception Monday, November 5, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Poetry reading and talk by the artist at 6 p.m.
Ink paintings by artist Sherrie Lovler, who has a background in Western calligraphy.
8235 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati
707-795-9753
http://ctalcroft.wix.com/artwallatshige/
Upstairs Art Gallery
Through November 26, Donna Schaffer and Ron Sumner
*** Artist reception Saturday, November 3, from 3 to 6 p.m.
Donna Schaffer paints butterflies she entices to her garden by planting Zinnias, Salvia, Cosmos, Black-eyed Susans, and Milkweed. Ron Sumner’s poetic watercolor paintings of old barns, birds, landscapes, and water are featured in the Small Works Showcase.
306 Center St., Healdsburg
707-431-4214
www.Upstairsartgallery.net
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