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
February 6 through April 1, Member’s Exhibit
*** Opening Reception Thursday March 7 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Featuring work by 18 AGS Member Artists.
140 East Napa Street, Sonoma
707-996-3115
www.artsguildofsonoma.org

By Zao Wou-Ki

Calabi Gallery
Through March 9, A World of Art
The gallery is displaying an eclectic mix of art from various times and places, in many media. Included are works by Paul Beattie, Hans Burkhardt, Rafael Canogar, Easton, Claire Falkenstein, Karen Green, Sutter Marin, Mary Fuller McChesney, Robert Pearson McChesney, Louis Earnest Nadalini, Louis Siegriest, the late great James Spitzer, Seymour Tubis, Elisabeth Vellacott, Zao Wou-Ki, and many others. The previous display of paintings by Carolyn Lord, Lucy Martin, and Carol Peek continues.
456 Tenth St., Santa Rosa
707-781-7070
www.calabigallery.com

By Jules Jones

Chalk Hill Residency
Saturday, February 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. Open Studio
Come for an afternoon of Art Live Performance, Paintings, and Video Sculptures with residency artists, Lea Walloschke (Berlin), Roberts & Ghirardo (New York), and Jules Jones (Massachusetts).
13427 Chalk Hill Road, Healdsburg
www.chalkhillresidency.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. Discover the life of a man and his best friend through the lens of the Peanuts comic strip.

Through May 20, Without Words
From “Good grief!” to “AAUGH!”, Charles M. Schulz developed a lexicon that has become synonymous with the Peanuts comic strip. Yet the cartoonist’s approach to communication went well beyond words. The new exhibition explores Schulz’s pantomime comics and the artful techniques Schulz employed when telling stories using illustration alone.

Through August 4, Behind Peanuts: The Little Red-Haired Girl
Charlie Brown’s unrequited love, the Little Red-Haired Girl, was inspired by Donna Mae Johnson-Wold, the real-life first love of Charles M. Schulz. In this exhibition, learn the back story through original art, photographs, and personal interviews.
2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa
707-579-4452
www.schulzmuseum.org

Healing the Environment

Chroma Gallery / Santa Rosa Arts Center
February 1 through March 22, Healing the Environment
*** Opening Reception Friday February 1 from 5 to 8 p.m.
The paintings, photography, sculpture and natural objects by Sonoma County and Bay Area artists are personal statements on the environment. The artwork is their visual commentary of how nature is being challenged by humanity, and how to protect and heal our common home.
SOFA Arts District
312 South A Street, Santa Rosa
707-293-6051
www.chromagallery.net

Cloverdale Arts Alliance Gallery
Through March 22, Place
Guest artists for this exhibit are sculptor Luann Udell, and painter Timothy David Dixon. Featured resident artist is Ralph Broussard, showing digital collages.
204 N. Cloverdale Boulevard, Cloverdale
707-894-4410
www.cloverdaleartsalliance.org

Corricks Art Trails Gallery
February 1 through March, Colors of the Heart
*** First Friday opening reception, February 1, from 5 to 7 p.m.
This show features two dozen artists from Art Trails reflecting on the hues and feelings of love and new life of the coming months. Valentine Card Making Event with Carole Watanabe. Saturday February 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free.
Make your own hand-made Valentine cards. All levels welcome, Carole will provide free materials and creative guidance.
637 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa
707-546-2424
www.corricks.com

Fulton Crossing Gallery
1200 River Rd, Fulton
www.fultoncrossing.com

Graton Gallery
Through February 10, 10th Annual Small Works Show
Jurors: Pamela Powell and Lisa Andrews.

February 12 through March 17, Partners & Friends
*** Artists Reception Saturday February 16, from 2 to 5 p.m.
Each of the eight partners at the Gallery has invited an artist friend to show work alongside their own. Featured Guests Artists are Kelly Burke, Ceylan Crow, and Sky Richardson.
9048 Graton Road, Graton
707-829-8912
www.gratongallery.net

Hammerfriar Gallery
132 Mill Street, Ste.101, Healdsburg
707-473-9600
www.hammerfriar.com

Healdsburg Center for the Arts
February 1 through February 24, Collaboration
*** Opening reception Friday, February 1, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Annual young artists show featuring artwork by K through 6th grade students from numerous area schools.
130 Plaza Street, Healdsburg
707-431-1970
https://healdsburgcenterforthearts.org

La Crema Estate
Through February, Jill Keller Peters
Sonoma County artist, Jill Keller Peters creates artwork that uplifts the human spirit and emanates the vibrancy that she looks for in life. Her carefully selected hues present “an oasis of calm, a serene juxtaposition of color and balance” in her inspired geometric abstractions and impressionist scenes of nature.
La Crema Estate at Saralee’s Vineyard
2nd Floor Gallery
3575 Slusser Road, Windsor
www.lacrema.com/russian-river-estate/

By Faith Rumm

Laguna Foundation, Heron Hall
Through April 29, California’s Wild Gold
Mixed-media tapestries by Faith Rumm. These large collaged tapestries are a joyful celebration of the abundance of life and biodiversity found in California.
900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa
707-527-9277
www.lagunafoundation.org

By Evri Kwong

Museum of Sonoma County
Art
February 10 through April 20, See Something, Say Something
*** Opening Reception Saturday, February 9, from 4 to 6 p.m.
The exhibition considers a common warning announcement often seen at bus depots, train stations and airports. The warning, “See Something, Say Something,” encourages citizens to stay alert and speak up if they notice something amiss. While the phrase originated to convey the threat posed by terrorism after the 9/11 attacks, in this exhibition the meaning of the phrase “see something, say something,” is expanded to encourage individuals to call out additional threats to society, such racism, sexism, economic disparity, and climate change. The three artists in the exhibition; David Huffman, Evri Kwong, and Linda Vallejo, are observant and expressive. Through their work, they identify and name various threats, and approach social issues with intelligence, sincerity, and wit.

History
February 26 through June 2, Pacific World: The History that Binds Us to the Sea
*** Opening Reception Friday, March 1.
Featuring a collection of Ming Chinese porcelain traded across the ocean, art and objects of Oceania, and artifacts related to the Sonoma Coast, the exhibition traces the influences of the Pacific World on the history of Sonoma County and the North Bay Area. Learn how present day Sonoma County became a point of convergence; where the currents carried items of trade and brought immigrants, laborers, temporary visitors, and permanent settlers. The Pacific World exhibition also features a collection of antique maps of Asia and the Pacific, objects from nineteenth-century shipwrecks, as well as a children’s gallery with an interactive game and ship model.
425 Seventh Street, Santa Rosa
707-579-1500
www.museumsc.org

Occidental Center for the Arts
February 1 through February 24, Black History Month
*** Opening Reception February 2, from 3 to 6 p.m.
OCA Gallery is pleased to celebrate Black History Month featuring a juried exhibition of original works by Sonoma County artists, as well as the private historical collection of Raynetta James.
3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental
707-874-9392
www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org

Paul Mahder Gallery
222 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg
707-473-9150
www.paulmahdergallery.com

Petaluma Arts Center
Through March 23, National Parks Painting Project
In the National Parks Painting Project by Mary Fassbinder and Guest Artist Davis Perkins there are 60 plein air paintings of each of the U. S. National Parks.
230 Lakeville Street, Petaluma
707-762-5600
www.petalumaartscenter.org

By Mikio Watanabe

Ren Brown Collection Gallery
February 1 through March 17, Maniére Noire
*** Meet the artist reception Saturday, February 2, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Mezzotints by Mikio Watanabe.
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

By Brian Cluer

Riverfront Art Gallery
Through March 3, Different Perspectives
*** Reception and Artwalk Saturday, February 9, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Alexis Greenberg, Visual Rhymes, multiple exposure images juxtaposing human figures. Brian Cluer, Transitions, photographs of ice forming along a river bank.
Also on view are paintings by Michele Rosette.
132 Petaluma Boulevard North, Petaluma
707-775-4278
www.riverfrontartgallery.com

Santa Rosa Junior College, Robert F. Agrella Art Gallery
February 4 through February 14, Erik Castro, Photography
*** Reception Monday, February 11, from 4 to 6 p.m.

February 19 through March 28, Meanderings: Sabbitical Exhibition by Stephanie Sanchez
February 19 through April 11, Parallels
Artistis; Holly Downing, ClairE Keith, Deborah Kirklin, Stephanie Peek, Gillian Pederson-Krag, and Robert Poplack.
*** Opening Reception Thursday, February 21, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Artist’s Talk with Stephanie Sanchez at 3 p.m.
1501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa
707-527-4298
https://art-gallery.santarosa.edu

Sebastopol Center for the Arts
Through February 17, Go Figure
Also on view; The Life and Art of William Bishop Wheeler

February 22 through March 31, NOT JUST Landscapes
*** Opening Reception Friday, February 22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
In the Main Gallery, International juried Landscape exhibition. Juror: Robin Dintiman. Artwork reflecting scenery from cityscapes to nature views and more personal and imaginary visions including futuristic, environmental and psychological.

Also on view in Gallery II: Suspended Moments
The figurative oil paintings of Valerie L. Winslow contain narrative overtones of personal anecdote and social commentary, including themes reflecting the current climate of the #Me Too movement.

By Laurence Elias

In Gallery III: Light/spirit/Reflect
Laurence Elias exhibits imagery produced by digital printing, painting, and laser etching on laser cut mirrored acrylic sheets. Starting points include explorations of light, reflectivity, transparency, repetition, and geometric patterns and forms. Using artist-designed fixtures for off the wall attachment at unusual heights and angles, they present uncanny illusions of solid objects, as well as colorful abstract imagery.
282 High Street, Sebastopol
707-829-4797
www.sebarts.org

By Michelle Hotig

Sebastopol Gallery
February 9 through March, Michelle Hoting and Bill Theis
*** Reception Saturday, February 9, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Featuring the work of Michelle Hoting, who creates jewelry using repurposed metals. In her latest work, Michelle explores and recreates the ancient mixed-metal technique of makume gane. Layering, folding, and forming steel, copper and bronze to create a wood-grain-like pattern, she reimagines the metals into wearable sea creatures, landscapes, and touchstones. Also on view is photography by guest artist Bill Theis.
150 N. Main St, Sebastopol
707-829-7200
www.sebastopol-gallery.com/

By Bertha Jean Schmidt

Sebastopol Library Forum Room
February 4 through March 9, Bertha Jean Schmidt
*** Reception and artist conversation on Monday, February 25, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Bertha Jean Schmidt exhibits documentary photos depicting her native culture of the Cabo Verdean people on the islands of Brava, Fogo and San Vicente.
7140 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol
707-823-7691

Sonoma State University, University Art Gallery
35th annual ART FROM THE HEART benefit art auction
*** Saturday, February 2, silent art auction and party from 6 to 9 p.m.
Proceeds from the auction directly benefit the Art Gallery’s exhibition, publication, and lecture programs. There will be free previews of the artwork on Wednesday, January 30; Thursday, January 31; and Friday, February 1, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

February 14 through March 10, Then & Now – Alumni Exhibition
*** Opening reception Thursday, February 14, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Featuring the work of 40 artists.
1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park
707-664-2295
www.sonoma.edu/artgallery

By Wanxin Zhang

Sonoma Valley Museum of Art
Through April 7, Richard Shaw and Wanxin Zhang
Richard Shaw and Wanxin Zhang brings the recent work of these two masters of Bay Area clay, focusing on their explorations of the cultural exchange between China and the West.

Also on view is Portals: A Space for Color by Phillip K. Smith III
American light artist Phillip K. Smith III, noted for large-scale installations, has installed three Portals in the Museum. Each artwork investigates the relationship between light, form, surface, and perception.
551 Broadway, Sonoma
707-939-7862
www.svma.org

The Art Wall at Shige Sushi
Through March 3, Deborah Salomon: Collages
Salomon uses printed papers, type fragments, handwriting, shorthand, diagrams, and pages from ledgers and discarded books as raw material along with hand-painted elements. Her creative process is spontaneous, unspoken, and unconscious. Her influences include architecture, technical drawings, mineralogy, language texts, and alphabets.
8235 Old Redwood Highway, Cotati
707-795-9753
http://ctalcroft.wix.com/artwallatshige/

By Carolyn Wilson

Upstairs Art Gallery
Through February 24, Art From the Heart
*** Artist Reception, Sunday February 17, from 2 to 5 p.m.
The February Window features heartfelt artworks by Linda Barretta, Donna Schaffer, Carolyn Wilson, Ron Sumner and Cynthia Jackson-Hein.
306 Center St., Healdsburg
707-431-4214
www.Upstairsartgallery.net

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