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 Trails Open Studios, 2024
October 19 & 20, and October 26 & 27, Open Studios, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
40th annual juried open studios Preview exhibitions:
Sebastopol Center for the Arts
Through October 27
282 S. High St., Sebastopol
Corrick’s/My Daughter the Framer
Through October 19, Reception, October 4, from 5 to 7 p.m.
637 4th St., Santa Rosa
Bodega Art Gallery
October 6 through October 27, Reception, October 6, from 2 to 5 p.m.
17255 Bodega Hwy, Bodega
Gallery One
Through October 27
209 Western Ave, Petaluma
www.sonomacountyarttrails.org

 

Arts Guild of Sonoma
October 2 through October 28, Members Exhibition
*** Opening reception, First Thursday Artwalk, October 3 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Showing new work by 20 AGS artist members.
140 E. Napa St., Sonoma
707-996-3115
www.artsguildofsonoma.org

 

 

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

 

Charles M. Schulz Museum
Through November 4, Peanuts Evolution: The 1960s
Strip Rotation Gallery

Through January 12, 2025, Bravo, Snoopy! Peanuts and Pawpet Theater
Upstairs Changing Gallery

Through March 12, 2025, Here Come the Beagle Scouts!
Downstairs Changing Gallery
2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa
707-579-4452
www.schulzmuseum.org

 

Cloverdale Arts Alliance Gallery
Through November 15, Sustain
The guest artists for this exhibit are Jerry Stocker, Fine Craft/Mosaic; and Melissa Staehle, Painting. Resident artists are Laura Paine Carr, Trudi Folsom, Jane Gardner, Pamela Heck, Terry Holleman, Jason Taylor Morgan, and Jennifer Weiss. Jason Taylor Morgan is the featured resident artist.
204 N. Cloverdale Boulevard, Cloverdale
707-894-4410
www.cloverdaleartsalliance.org

 

 

Corricks Art Trails Gallery/ My Daughter the Framer
Through October 19, Art Trails Preview Exhibit
*** First Friday Reception, October 4, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Showing work by Sonoma County Art Trails artists.
637 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa
707-546-2424
www.corricks.com

 

Erickson Fine Art Gallery
October 12 through November 9, Kathleen Youngquist
*** Reception with the artist Saturday, October 12, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Silhouettes of Abstraction, a collection of paintings.
324 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg
707-431-7073
www.ericksonfineartgallery.com

 

 

Fulton Crossing Art Gallery
Through December 1, The Sky is Falling
The show features mixed-media paintings by Gale S. McKee that are inspired by the volcanic eruptions in Iceland, as well as world-wide, and how they can influence climate change.

October 4 through October 27, Three Artists / Women / Vision
*** Artists reception Saturday, October 19 from 12 to 4 p.m.
Preview of work for Sonoma County Art Trails open studio tour by Lucy Liew, Anna Rybat, and Kay Young.
1200 River Rd., Fulton
www.fultoncrossing.com/exhibitions

 

Graton Gallery
October 3 through November 10, Small Works
*** Artists Reception Saturday, October 5, from 1 to 4 p.m.
The 13th Annual Small Works show is juried by artist, Luann Udell. Featuring small works of art from our talented community; always different, always interesting and beautiful!
9048 Graton Road, Graton
707-829-8912
www.gratongallery.net

Hammerfriar Gallery
132 Mill St, Healdsburg
707-473-9600
www.hammerfriar.com

Healdsburg Center for the Arts
Through October 6, Robert Weiss: A Retrospective
The show celebrates 60 years of creativity, dedication and commitment to Weiss’ community and the arts.

October 11 through November 17, Small Wonders
334 Center Street, Healdsburg
707-431-1970
healdsburgcenterforthearts.org

IceHouse Gallery / Digital Grange
405 East D St., Petaluma
707-778-2238
www.digitalgrange.com

Laguna Foundation, Heron Hall
Through December 20, Flora of the Laguna
On view is colored pencil artwork by local botanical artists, which is a culmination of a two-year project documenting the native plants of the Laguna watershed.
900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa
707-527-9277
www.lagunafoundation.org

Museum of Sonoma County
Art
Through November 24, Cruisin’ – Sonoma County Lowriders and The Art of Justin Favela
Working in collaboration with the Sonoma County Lowrider Council, an organization that supports and promotes the creative car culture which is a significant part of the Sonoma County experience, the exhibition includes custom lowrider cars, fashion, photographs, artworks, and more as a representation and celebration of lowrider culture and lifestyle. A special feature is the artwork of Justin Favela, a nationally known mixed media artist who does large-scale installation sculptures in the piñata style, including full scale lowrider cars. His work references pop culture, art history, society, and cultural commentary. Favela is particularly known for his social practice in which he engages local students and community volunteers in the process of creating his unique works.

History
Through November 3, Día de los Muertos
The Museum’s 28th annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibition features installations by artists Jesus Bravo and Kodak Alcantra-Rodriguez.
*** Join us on October 19 for our Annual Family Festival, an unforgettable day of art, performances, mouthwatering food trucks, and a lowrider cruise down 7th street.

Permanent Exhibition & Oral History Project, Sonoma County Stories is a permanent Sonoma County history exhibition that allows visitors to engage with the past through the power of storytelling. The exhibition captures Sonoma County’s rich history, defined by a confluence of cultures and people, and a powerful connection to the land. Featuring stories representing the many diverse histories and cultures of the county, this ambitious and innovative permanent exhibition has at its core the Oral Histories of Gaye LeBaron.
425 Seventh Street, Santa Rosa
707-579-1500
www.museumsc.org

Occidental Center for the Arts
Through October 6, Wild Thing
Work in a variety of media and genres by Sonoma County artists.

October 12 through November 17, Darkness and Light
3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental
707-874-9392
www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org

 

Paul Mahder Gallery
October 3 through November 18, SLEEPLESS: new sculpture by Chris Beards
*** Opening Reception October 5 from 4 to 7 p.m.
What are we afraid of? What keeps us up at night? That’s what this show touches upon; basic human fears, those familiar concerns about mortality, money, health, safety, love, and loss. SLEEPLESS includes eighteen new works, featuring a variety of media and techniques.
222 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg
707-473-9150
paulmahdergallery.com/

 

Pepperwood Gallery
Currently on view, The Majesty of Trees
The Majesty of Trees features sculpture, paintings, and photography by twelve well-known artists. Each artist has been selected for the exhibit because their work honors and powerfully illuminates the essential contributions that trees contribute to life on Earth. In addition to the visual messages of the art, the show presents recent scientific discoveries about trees, and also Native American ancient wisdom about the precious arboreal beings that anchor our habitats.
2130 Pepperwood Preserve Road, Santa Rosa
www.pepperwoodpreserve.org

Petaluma Arts Center
Through October 26, Claiming Our Space: Contemporary Art and IDD
This collection of artwork draws from ten bay area studios which support artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The exhibition celebrates the talents of these artists, as well as shows that the power of art can transcend barriers. Claiming space refers to the act of asserting presence, identity, and rights: taking up literal and metaphorical space to ensure that voice, needs, and existence are recognized and respected.
*** Thursday, October 10, Panel Discussion from 6 to 7 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
This panel brings together artists, curators, and advocates to discuss the evolving landscape of contemporary art created by artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
230 Lakeville Street, Petaluma
707-762-5600
www.petalumaartscenter.org

 

Ren Brown Collection Gallery
On view, Mezzotint Mania
One of the most difficult of print mediums, mezzotint almost completely died out after the invention of photography. But it is the best way to achieve velvety blacks, and meticulous detail. On display is work by six artists who specialize in the mezzotint technique. 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

 

Santa Rosa Arts Center
Through October 26, Signs of the Times
The Artwork in the show reflects or portrays the qualities and experiences that shape who we are now and how we address our modern experience.

October 4 through November 5, Art and the Vote
*** Artists reception, Friday October 4 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Featuring art that portrays the feelings, ideas and experiences associated with our nation’s tradition of democratic elections and the choices facing voters this year.
SOFA Arts District
312 South A Street, Santa Rosa
707-526-0135
santarosaartscenter.org/

 

Santa Rosa Junior College, Robert F. Agrella Art Gallery
1501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa
707-527-4298
art-gallery.santarosa.edu/current-exhibits-0

Sculpturesite Gallery, Glen Ellen
View over 30 outdoor sculptures by 15 artists throughout the beautiful grounds at Jack London Village, offering a selection of abstract and figurative sculptures, including wind activated kinetic works.
14301 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen
707-933-1300
www.sculpturesite.com

Sebastopol Center for the Arts
Through October 27, Art Trails Open Studios Preview
Showing work by each of the participating artists in the 40th annual Art Trails Open Studios.
282 South High St., Sebastopol
707-829-4797
www.sebarts.org

Sebastopol Gallery
150 N. Main St, Sebastopol
707-829-7200
www.sebastopolgallery.com

 

Sebastopol Library, Forum Room
Through November 16, Bertha Jean Schmidt; On the wall, Off the Wall
*** Reception October 27, from 2 to 4 p.m.
On view are Schmidt’s abstract acrylic paintings and Cape Verdean documentary photographs.
7140 Bodega Ave, Sebastopol
707-823-7691

 

 

 

Sonoma Clean Power
Through October 12, Art @ SCP
*** Closing party Saturday, October 12 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Showing 18 works by 12 local artists curated by Vicky Kumpfer.
431 E Street, Santa Rosa
855-202-2139
sonomacleanpower.org/art

Sonoma State University, University Art Gallery
Through October 20, Reflections: Portraits and Self Portraits from NIAD Art Center
NIAD works with artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and care providers in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. Reflections is an exhibition curated by Executive Director Amanda Eicher, and Board Member Jay Youngdahl.
1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park
707-664-2295
artgallery.sonoma.edu

 

Sonoma Valley Museum of Art
Through January 5, Cenote de Sueños: The Art of Juana Alicia
This exhibition of works by Juana Alicia features paintings, drawings, prints, plus an original artist-created book. While she is best known for her work as a muralist, this exhibition presents her as a truly multi-disciplinary artist and includes her recent illustration project, La X’tabay: The Book of Books (2024), in collaboration with author Tirso González Araiza. Juana Alicia’s style, akin to genres of contemporary Latin American literary movements, can be characterized as magical and social realism, and addresses issues of social justice, gender equity, environmental crisis, and the power of resistance and revolution. This exhibition is guest curated by Marco Antonio Flores.
551 Broadway, Sonoma
707-939-7862
www.svma.org

 

The Alley Gallery
October 3 through October 13, Kirk Hinshaw, Sophie Acheson
*** Artist reception, October 5, from 3 to 6 p.m.
At the La Haye Art Center
148 E. Napa Street, Sonoma

 

 

 

 

Upstairs Art Gallery
Through October 20, Plein Air Escapades
*** Artists Reception Saturday, October 5, from 3 to 6 p.m.
Karen Miller presents Plein Air Escapades, a collection of pastel paintings made during her forays into the wild, around town and adventures to other California locales. Meet the Artist: Miller will be hosting the Gallery October 4, 9, 13, 19, from 11 am to 2:30 pm.
The Stairway Small Works Showcase presents Ron Sumner’s Yosemite Calls, a collection of watercolor and gouache paintings depicting the majestic scenery of the Yosemite National Park, its waterfalls and its wildlife. Meet the Artist: Sumner will be hosting the Gallery October 6, 2:30 to 6 pm and October 23, 11 am to 6 pm.

Second Saturday Art Walk October 12, 5:30 to 7 pm: The Upstairs Art Gallery is pleased to join other Healdsburg galleries in the Second Saturday Artwalk, featuring a dozen galleries surrounding the historic downtown plaza.
306 Center Street, Healdsburg
707-431-4214
www.Upstairsartgallery.net

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