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.
Frank Lobdell
Annex Galleries
Through May 29, Abstract Art in Northern California
Works on paper from the collection of Marian Schell.
604 College Avenue, Santa Rosa
707-546-7352
www.annexgalleries.com
Arts Guild of Sonoma
140 E. Napa St., Sonoma
707-996-3115
www.artsguildofsonoma.org
Café Frida Gallery
Through May 7, Reflections in Collage
Current work by Gerald Huth.
SOFA Arts District
300 South A Street, Santa Rosa
Calabi Gallery
Through May, Mixed Bag 2.0
Mixed Bag 2.0 continues to highlight the gallery’s uniquely eclectic nature, featuring a large selection of pieces by Carolyn Lord, Robert Emory Johnson, and Horst Trave. A number of new acquisitions and consignments have also been added to the show.
456 Tenth St., Santa Rosa
707-781-7070
www.calabigallery.com
Charles M. Schulz Museum
2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa
707-579-4452
www.schulzmuseum.org
Cloverdale Arts Alliance Gallery
Through May 19, Determine
Guest artist for this exhibit are Rose B Easterbrook, Mixed Media, and Friends of Cloverdale Library “Celebration of Quilts”. Resident artists are Laura Paine Carr, Jane Gardner, Pamela Heck, Terry Holleman, Hanya Popova Parker, Jason Taylor Morgan, Clay Vajgrt and Jennifer Weiss. Laura Paine Carr, Acrylic Painting is the featured resident artist for Determine.
204 N. Cloverdale Boulevard, Cloverdale
707-894-4410
www.cloverdaleartsalliance.org
Cloverdale, CA
Through April 25, 2024, Cloverdale Sculpture Trail
Nine new sculptures have been chosen by the Selection Committee and are part of the 2022-2024 Sculpture Trail. The themes of these nine sculptures are diverse and show the creative thinking and craftsmanship of the sculptors.
cloverdalesculpturetrail.org/
Corricks Art Trails Gallery/ My Daughter the Framer
May 5 through June, Art at the Source Preview
*** First Friday receptions, May 5, and June 2, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Featuring works from more than 50 Art at the Source artists. Explore, meet the artists, and get inspired for your Open Studio itinerary.
637 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa
707-546-2424
www.corricks.com
Fulton Crossing Gallery
Through May 7, From One Source
New Paintings by Britta Kathmeyer, showcasing a series of paintings of imaginary bowls in a still-life setting exploring the emotional quality of objects, as well as light-filled abstract work celebrating color, movement, and stillness.
1200 River Road, Fulton
707-328-1934
www.fultoncrossing.com
Gallery 300
Through June, Creators Creating
New work by Jacqueline Boberg, Mixed media on panel.
6780 McKinley St., Suite 130, The Barlow
707-332-1212
www.gallery-300.com
Graton Gallery
Through May 14, Roshambo; Rock, Paper, Scissors
Artwork made of rock or stoneware, paper, or cut with scissors.
Juried by Catherine Devriese.
May 18 through June 25, Partners & Friends
*** Artists Reception May 20, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Featuring one artwork by each Graton Gallery Partner and a friend.
Sally Baker & Taylor Gutermute, Harry Frank & Alan Azhderian, Bruce Hopkins & Susan Shore, Heather Myler & Peggy Grills, Rik Olson & Chuck Pyle, Sandra Rubin & Joyce Libeau, Tamra Sanchez & Tamsen Donner, Mylette Welch & Linda Sorensen. With Guest Artists; Becky Wells, Sandra Van Blair, Stephen Heagan, and Jessie Buckley.
9048 Graton Road, Graton
707-829-8912
www.gratongallery.net
Kathleen Yorba
Hammerfriar Gallery
May 13 through June 24, Embody—Connections to the Subconscious
*** Opening Reception Saturday, May 13 from 2 to 5 p.m.
Kathleen Yorba and Ryan Douglas; Two artists working in the figurative and the abstract explore connections between the tangible elements—earth, air, fire, water —and the intangible experiences of memory, subconscious knowing, and intuition.
132 Mill St, Healdsburg
707-473-9600
www.hammerfriar.com
Healdsburg Center for the Arts
Through May 29, Shadow and Light
Showing art by 26 artists working in black, white, and gray. Local photographer Richard Hay Jr. debuts his series, Healdsburg by Design–Fragments of Time. The black and white images portray, in exquisite detail, the historic and contemporary structures that embody this 100+ year old town.
334 Center Street, Healdsburg
707-431-1970
healdsburgcenterforthearts.org
Catherine Richardson
IceHouse Gallery / Digital Grange
Through May 14, Ice Show
This group show of four artists includes photography, digital, and mixed media art that is informed by the concept of ice in all of its manifestations. The participating artists are David Alan Boyd, Leslie Curchack, Catherine Richardson, and Stanford Rose.
707-778-2238
405 East D St., Petaluma
www.digitalgrange.com
Laguna Foundation, Heron Hall
May 6 through August 31, ʔay:a:kʰe čahnu (Our Language)
*** Opening reception Saturday, May 6, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Artist and illustrator, Nicole Jones, exhibits her whimsical paintings of native flora and fauna paired with her native language.
900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa
707-527-9277
www.lagunafoundation.org
Museum of Sonoma County
Art
Through May 28, Art of Risk: The Innovative Sculpture of Michael Cooper
Michael Cooper’s work exemplifies the individualism, innovation, and eccentric creativity for which Sonoma County is known. Art of Risk is an exhibition that is of interest to not only the art community, but also to students and all who are interested in exploration of engineering, science, the environment, and to all who value creativity, invention, and originality. This solo exhibition of Cooper’s work at the Museum of Sonoma spans over four decades of the artist’s career.
History
2023, Sonoma County Stories is a permanent Sonoma County history exhibition that will allow visitors to engage with the past in a brand-new way: through the power of storytelling. The exhibition, scheduled to open in 2023, will capture 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 will have 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 May 28, Silver Linings II
Showing work by Susan St. Thomas and SRJC active older adult students.
3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental
707-874-9392
www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org
Oli Gallery
May 14 through June 30, Rosie
*** Open House Brunch Reception May 14 at 11 a.m.
A show with over 30 artists showing one piece each that pays homage to Rosie the Riveter and will coincide with the release of “Rosie the Riveter” varietal, an Equality Vines Rose’ that celebrates fairness, equality and human dignity.
16215 Main Street, Guerneville
www.oligallery.com
Paul Mahder Gallery
Through June 4, Hal Mayforth; Watercolors 1992 to Present
Humorous illustrator, Hal Mayforth, has published his illustrations with various publications including, Time, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Outside, Sports Illustrated, to name a few.
222 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg
707-473-9150
paulmahdergallery.com/
Pepperwood Gallery
Through August 20, The Lure of Pepperwood
New paintings and drawings by Richard McDaniel created at Pepperwood Preserve while an Artist-in-Residence.
2130 Pepperwood Preserve Road, Santa Rosa
www.pepperwoodpreserve.org
Petaluma Arts Center
May 18 through June 24, Auto-Mobility: Cars and Culture in Sonoma County
*** Opening Thursday, May 18 at 5:30 p.m.
In this show of car culture you’ll find a fully painted low-rider truck, a sculpture by Michael Cooper, photographs and video documenting the Petaluma Speedway, as well as many other cool auto art. See website for related programs and events.
230 Lakeville Street, Petaluma
707-762-5600
www.petalumaartscenter.org
Ren Brown Collection Gallery
Through May, Spring Arrivals
Spring brings the arrival of blossoms and new art.
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
132 Petaluma Boulevard North, Petaluma
707-775-4278
www.riverfrontartgallery.com
Santa Rosa Arts Center
Through May 28, Transformations, Recycled Art
Works by Bay Area and Northern California artists made from objects that have satisfied their original use. Transformations: Recycled Art promotes conservation of our planet’s limited resources, educating us to new, original uses for so-called disposable objects.
312 South A Street, Santa Rosa
707-526-0135
santarosaartscenter.org/
Santa Rosa Junior College, Robert F. Agrella Art Gallery
Through May 12, The Student Art Show
The Student Exhibition features the work of current students from the SRJC Art Department and was hung with the support of the Gallery Class, Art 53.
1501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa
707-527-4298
art-gallery.santarosa.edu/current-exhibits-0
Sculpturesite Gallery, Glen Ellen
SculptureWALK: View over 30 outdoor sculptures by 15 artists throughout the beautiful grounds at Jack London Village, offering a generous selection of abstract and figurative garden sculptures, including wind activated kinetic works. From our website, you may download the map and sculpture list to use for your self-guided tour when visiting.
14301 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen
707-933-1300
www.sculpturesite.com
Sebastopol Center for the Arts
Through May 7, Accessories
International Juried Exhibition of Bags, shoes, jewelry, hats, belts, eyewear, scarves, purses, backpacks, etc. Juried by Andrea Caron and Amy Smith.
May 20 through June 11, Art At The Source Preview
*** Opening Reception May 20, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Visit the preview exhibition to prepare for Open Studios June 3-4 and 10-11.
282 South High St., Sebastopol
707-829-4797
www.sebarts.org
Sebastopol Gallery
Through May 27, Local Harvest; Wooden Bowls by Kalia Kliban
On display is an array of beautiful turned wood bowls by Kalia Kliban. On Friday, April 7, from 5 to 6:30 pm, join the artist for a talk, “From Tree to Bowl.” Kalia will describe and demonstrate how she makes her bowls, all the way from locally harvested logs to finely finished works of functional art. See website for list of special events.
150 N. Main St, Sebastopol
707-829-7200
www.sebastopol-gallery.com/
Sonoma State University, University Art Gallery
Through May 20, BFA Exhibition 2023
The exhibition features the work of four students who are graduating with their BFA degree from SSU this year: Dawn Marie Brown, Sophia Larsen, Rachel Scully, and Isiah Warren.
1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park
707-664-2295
artgallery.sonoma.edu/
Sonoma Valley Museum of Art
May 13 through September 3, Labyrinth of Forms: Women and Abstraction 1930-1950
*** Opening Reception Saturday, May 13, from 5 to 7 p.m.
With over thirty works by twenty-seven artists drawn almost entirely from the collection of the Whitney Museum of American Art, Labyrinth of Forms highlights both the achievements of these women artists and the ways in which their works on paper served as important exploration and innovation. Some of the artists included are Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, and Louise Nevelson, among others.
551 Broadway, Sonoma
707-939-7862
www.svma.org
Marsha Connell
Upstairs Art Gallery
May 1 through May 28, Water Songs
*** Artist Reception Saturday, May 13, from 3 to 5 p.m. Connell will do a brief poetry reading at 4 p.m.
Marsha Connell presents Water Songs, paintings from observation and memory. In watercolor or oil, Connell taps into water’s many forms, from seep springs to cascades, to take us on its iconic journey: tumbling over waterfalls, swooshing like clouds, weaving over rocks. Meet the Artist: Connell will be hosting the Gallery May 4 and May 20, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Staircase Showcase presents Carmen Sheldon’s Emerging Essence, a small works show that explores the fascinating medium of alcohol inks. These small gems throb with vibrant color and in their flowing forms suggest a landscape or floral display. Meet the Artist: Sheldon will be hosting the Gallery May 13 and May 27 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
306 Center Street, Healdsburg
707-431-4214
www.Upstairsartgallery.net
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Satri Pencak - Curatorial Services 