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.
Please check with the venues for current status of health protocols, hours, events and exhibitions.
Arts Guild of Sonoma
140 E. Napa St., Sonoma
707-996-3115
www.artsguildofsonoma.org
Café Frida Gallery
Through May 29, Tarot and Our Intuition
Two artists, Cade Burkhammer and Akiva Satnarayan, whose artworks deal extensively with Tarot and its’ meanings, approach the subject from their unique perspectives.
707-303-5925
300 South A Street, #4, Santa Rosa
www.cafefridagallery.com
Pamela Glasscock
Calabi Gallery
Through May 31, Group Show
The show is an eclectic mix of new work by gallery artists as well as a selection from the inventory of vintage works, including new acquisitions. It is a wonderfully rich assortment bridging many periods of time, styles, and media. Featuring works by gallery artists Douglas Ballou, Howard Foote, Pamela Glasscock, James Ford Grant, Tim Haworth, Iva Hladis, Evri Kwong, Carolyn Lord, Michael Ramos, Inna Talantova, and Bambi Waterman.
456 Tenth St., Santa Rosa
707-781-7070
www.calabigallery.com
Charles M. Schulz Museum
Through September 18, Spark Plug to Snoopy: 100 Years of Schulz
This exhibition kicks off a centennial celebration of Schulz’s birth on November 26, 1922, and reflects back to a world before Peanuts, by featuring original work by the artists who influenced Schulz and inspired him to become a cartoonist.
2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa
707-579-4452
www.schulzmuseum.org
Cloverdale Arts Alliance Gallery
Through May 21, Challenge
Guest artists for this exhibit are Thomas Glass Phinnessee, Oil Painting, and Don Ketman, Wood Artistry. Featured Resident Artist is Laura Paine Carr, Acrylic, Mixed-Media. Also showing work by Resident Artists; Laura Paine Carr, Jane Gardner, Pamela Heck, Terry Holleman, and Hanya Popova Parker.
204 N. Cloverdale Boulevard, Cloverdale
707-894-4410
www.cloverdaleartsalliance.org
Cloverdale, CA
Through April 25, 2024, Cloverdale Sculpture Trail
** Opening Reception June 4, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
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.
https://cloverdalesculpturetrail.org/
Corricks Art Trails Gallery/ My Daughter the Framer
May 6 through June 25, Art at the Source Preview
*** First Friday reception, May 6, and June 3, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Featuring Artists participating in Art at the Source Open Studios.
637 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa
707-546-2424
www.corricks.com
Gallery 300
Through May 30, Works of Heart
Preview of artwork for Jewish Community Free Clinic fundraiser.
6780 McKinley St., Suite 130, The Barlow
707-332-1212
www.gallery-300.com
Gallery One
May 21 through June 12, Art at the Source Preview
*** Opening reception, May 22, from 3 to 6 p.m.
Featuring Artists participating in Art at the Source Open Studios.
209 Western Ave., Petaluma
707-778-8277
www.petaluma-galleryone.com
Graton Gallery
Through May 29, Clayton to Graton 3.5
Featuring artworks by Rik Olson and Fred Kling; with Guest Artists, Jenny Abramson, Joanne Kline, and Bill Theis.
9048 Graton Road, Graton
707-829-8912
www.gratongallery.net
Hammerfriar Gallery
May 7 through June 11, The Embodied Line
*** Opening reception Saturday, May 7, from 2 to 4 p.m.
The Art of Ink International Society, (AIIS), is an international group of calligraphers dedicated to promoting the art and appreciation of contemporary calligraphy.
132 Mill St, Healdsburg
707-473-9600
www.hammerfriar.com
Healdsburg Center for the Arts
May 6 through June 19, Miniatures Exhibition
*** Opening reception Saturday, May 7, from 5 to 7 p.m.
No work is over 12 inches in either direction.
334 Center Street, Healdsburg
707-431-1970
healdsburgcenterforthearts.org
Laguna Foundation, Heron Hall
900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa
707-527-9277
www.lagunafoundation.org
Museum of Sonoma County
Art
Through June 5, 2022, Agency: Feminist Art and Power
The exhibition brings together the work of woman artists who represent different cultural backgrounds, generations, geographic locations, LGBTQ, and gender identities. Twenty-eight exhibiting artists explore the concept of agency—the capacity to act or exert one’s own power; to act independently, and to make free choices. The work examines empowerment, identity, gender roles, aging, gender fluidity, reproductive choice, women and work, violence, and urgent social topics that confront our understanding of what shapes us as individuals and communities.
History
Ongoing, Year of the Tiger: Chinese Traditions in Sonoma County 1980-2022
Featuring historic objects from the Museum’s Song Wong Bourbeau collection, as well as contemporary items generously provided from the Redwood Empire Chinese Association, the exhibition explores and recognizes the long history and continuity of Chinese traditions. The Chinese temple provided a sense of collective unity for Chinese immigrants and Chinese Americans, and played a vital role in maintaining a connection with their cultural home. This exhibition shows that the important threads of community, culture, language, tradition, ritual, and history remain tightly woven into the fabric of Sonoma County.
Through May 29, Manzanar: The Wartime Photographs of Ansel Adams
The exhibition features over fifty little-known photographs by Ansel Adams that depict how Japanese Americans bore their treatment at the Manzanar incarnation camp in central California. Taken during World War II, the black and white images were originally published in Adams’ book Born Free and Equal (1944) in which he protested what he called the “enforced exodus” of a American citizens within their own country. Now, 80 years after one of America’s most horrific decisions, this exhibition is an important lesson about the past injustice done to a community because of their national origin, the urgency of confronting injustice, as well as bearing witness to the resilience of the human spirit.
Working closely with the Sonoma County chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League, the Museum also presents a selection of stories, objects, and images related to the experience of Sonoma County residents who faced forced incarceration in camps like Manzanar during the war.
Ongoing, Light, Clay, and Copper: Mid-Century Arts and Crafts in Sonoma County
The exhibition features three important collections from the Museum of Sonoma County: The photographs of Hansel Mieth and Otto Hagel, the pottery of Marguerite Wildenhain, and the metalwork of Harry Dixon. Each was a master of their artform and all were contemporaries that shared ideals and influences. Light, Clay, and Copper explores the connections and shared experiences of these four remarkable artists.
425 Seventh Street, Santa Rosa
707-579-1500
www.museumsc.org
Occidental Center for the Arts
Through May 29, Figure It Out
*** Artists Reception Saturday, May 14, from 2 to 4 p.m.
OCA’s Figure Drawing Group artists share their latest works in this diverse exhibit!
3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental
707-874-9392
www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org
Oli Gallery
May 7 through June 12, Art at the Source Preview
Featuring Artists participating in Art at the Source Open Studios.
16215 Main St., Guerneville
707-640-7214
Paul Mahder Gallery
Through June 5, About Time
The Art of Elena Zolotnitsky is all about painting—painting time, space and emotion.
222 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg
707-473-9150
paulmahdergallery.com/
Petaluma Arts Center
Through May 28, ART Connects Us
Youth Arts Exhibition, showcasing artwork from students grades K-12 in the greater Petaluma area.
230 Lakeville Street, Petaluma
707-762-5600
www.petalumaartscenter.org
Ren Brown Collection Gallery
Through May, Spring Gardens
The rejuvenation promised with the arrival of Spring is expressed by the works on display. 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, Through My Eyes 2.0
Photographs by Dan Kabanuck. The show showcases several images that he captured in and around Petaluma. Included are black and white aluminum prints, along with several color images of some amazing sunsets around town.
132 Petaluma Boulevard North, Petaluma
707-775-4278
www.riverfrontartgallery.com
Santa Rosa Arts Center
May 6 through May 26, Rising Artists
*** Artists reception First Friday, May 6, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Santa Rosa High Schools’ Senior Students Art Show. Artwork from 7 schools, 12 teachers, and 46 students. Participating schools; Elsie Allen, Maria Carrillo, Montgomery, Ridgeway, Roseland Prep, Santa Rosa and SR Art Quest.
SOFA Arts District
312 South A Street, Santa Rosa
707-526-0135
santarosaartscenter.org/
Santa Rosa Junior College, Robert F. Agrella Art Gallery
On-line visiting artist lecture series. Check website for schedule.
1501 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa
707-527-4298
art-gallery.santarosa.edu/current-exhibits-0
Sculpturesite, Glen Ellen
This spring is an especially lovely time to visit, as we currently are showing over 30 sculptures by 15 artists at our SculptureWALK, including a number of the ever-favorite kinetic sculptures. Three new ceramic sculptures by Carol Fleming can be seen on the SculptureWALK. Our indoor space is now closed, but our outdoor SculptureWALK exhibition can still be viewed 7 days a week.
14301 Arnold Drive, Glen Ellen
707-933-1300
www.sculpturesite.com
Sebastopol Center for the Arts
Through May 15, Reverberations 2 –Art and Poetry
A Visual Conversation includes the work of 50 artists who were given a poem to respond to visually. The artwork and poetry will be on display. Several poetry readings will be scheduled during the exhibition.
May 22 through June 12, Art at the Source Preview
Showing work by all Art at the Source Open Studios participating artists.
282 High Street, Sebastopol
707-829-4797
www.sebarts.org
Sebastopol Gallery
Through May 28, Inflorescence: Paintings by Suzanne Edminster
*** Artist Reception, Saturday, May 7, from 3 to 6 p.m.
Artist Talk and Demo Saturday May 14, 3 p.m.
Inflorescence features new abstract and contemporary primitive paintings by Suzanne Edminster. Inflorescence means ‘to blossom’, and the work celebrates spring and renewal.
150 N. Main St, Sebastopol
707-829-7200
www.sebastopol-gallery.com/
Sonoma State University, University Art Gallery
Through May 22, BFA Exhibition 2022
One of the highlights of the University Art Gallery’s annual program is the presentation each spring semester of the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Exhibition. For the BFA students and their professors, the show serves as an opportunity to see, often for the first time, a curated selection of their best work in context with their peers and within in a professional gallery environment. This year’s exhibition features the work of six students who are graduating with their Bachelor of Fine Arts degree; Jacob Brown, Anthony Davi, Axel Koenig, Jose Sanchez Chavez, Raven Akasha Sandoval, and Carlos Vega Aquilera.
1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park
707-664-2295
www.sonoma.edu/artgallery
Sonoma Valley Museum of Art
May 11 through August 28, Seen & Unseen: Photographs by Imogen Cunningham
*** Opening Reception Saturday, May 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Free to Members, Non-members $10; Pre-registration is required.
Seen & Unseen is the first exhibition of Cunningham’s photographs to tour the U.S. in 20 years, giving a new generation the opportunity to view her work for the first time.
Also opening: Dancing with Charlie: Bay Area Art from the Campbell Collection
Dancing with Charlie presents a collection that helped shape the evolution of Bay Area art. Guest curated by Susan M. Anderson, the exhibition reveals Mr. Campbell’s keen eye for enduring talent and commitment to living artists.
551 Broadway, Sonoma
707-939-7862
www.svma.org
Marsha Connell
Upstairs Art Gallery
May 2 through May 29, Peaceful Edge of Nature
Marsha Connell presents Peaceful Edge of Nature, a collection of paintings that capture wild places that calm the spirit. Drawing on her background as painter and naturalist observer, she absorbs the configurations of shapes, shadows, trees and sky from a certain perspective.
*** Meet the Artist: Connell will be hosting the gallery May 8, 15, 19, 26, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Staircase Showcase presents Ron Sumner’s Rustic Ruminations, a collection of small paintings highlighting rural landscapes, many featuring iconic barns proudly weathered with age.
*** Meet the Artist: Sumner will be hosting the gallery May 7 & 14, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; and May 11 & 21 from 2:30 to 6 p.m.
306 Center Street, Healdsburg
707-431-4214
www.Upstairsartgallery.net
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Satri Pencak - Curatorial Services 