Art in Sonoma County

by Satri Pencak

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.
Please check with the venues for current status of health protocols, hours, events and exhibitions.

*** Designates an Opening Reception.

Arts Guild of Sonoma
January 2 through January 27, Past-Present-Future; Annual Juried show
*** Artist reception Saturday, January 18, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Artwork by 25 Emerging and established artists has been selected from Sonoma, Marin, Solano, Alameda, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Mendocino, and Napa counties. The work includes original art by sculptors, ceramicists, photographers, print artists, and artists working in mixed media, oil, and watercolor. Also on view is new work by ten AGS artists.
140 E. Napa St., Sonoma
707-996-3115
www.artsguildofsonoma.org

Calabi Gallery
Continuing on view, Gruppo Di Quattro
Showing the work of Elio Benvenuto, Lydia Macchiarini Benvenuto, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and Sam Provenzano. Pivotal figures of their time, these artists all played an important part in the foundation and blossoming of the arts in Post War San Francisco. The exhibition features paintings, prints, works on paper, sculptures and textile craft by these influential artists.
456 Tenth St., Santa Rosa
707-781-7070
www.calabigallery.com

Charles M. Schulz Museum
Through January 12, Bravo, Snoopy! Peanuts and Pawpet Theater
Upstairs Changing Gallery

Through March 12, Here Come the Beagle Scouts!
Downstairs Changing Gallery
Fifty years ago, Snoopy and his loyal Beagle Scouts first embarked on their wild adventures in Peanuts, and together, they have climbed mountains, crossed lakes, navigated forests, and marched straight into the hearts of Peanuts fans around the world. A new exhibition at the Charles M. Schulz Museum celebrates the Beagle Scouts’s golden anniversary with a nostalgic journey through original Peanuts comic strip art, vintage products, animation clips, and more. Here Come the Beagle Scouts! features photo ops and surprises around each corner—no compass required!
2301 Hardies Lane, Santa Rosa
707-579-4452
www.schulzmuseum.org

Cloverdale Arts Alliance Gallery
Through January 18, SEASONS
The guest artist for this exhibit is Patrick Rhodes, Painting. Resident artists are Laura Paine Carr, Trudi Folsom, Jane Gardner, Pamela Heck, Terry Holleman, Jason Taylor Morgan, and Jennifer Weiss. Jane Gardner 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 January, Muses of Art and Music
An exploration of inspiration, and the intersections between art and music. Featuring the ceramics of Joel Bennett, and the mixed media collages of Nina Bonos, Nishi Marcus, and Gerald Huth.
637 Fourth Street, Santa Rosa
707-546-2424
www.corricks.com

Fulton Crossing Art Gallery
Currently on view, Catherine Cruz
*** Reception and open studios, January 25 from 1 to 4 p.m., refreshments and live music from Sebastian Link.
Catherine’s work reflects her French-American background where the juxtaposition of old and new architecture creates a beautiful tension. She creates multi-layered surfaces using hand-drawn marks, paint drips and collage elements.
1200 River Rd., Fulton
www.fultoncrossing.com/exhibitions

Graton Gallery
January 2 through February 9, Just Us
*** Reception Saturday, January 4, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Exhibition of work by Partners of the Graton Gallery; Sally Baker, Harry Frank, Bruce Hopkins, Rik Olson, Heather Mylerm, Sandra Rubin, Tamra Sanchez, and Mylette Welch, with guest artists Ceylan Crow and Aaron Frank.
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
January 9 through February 23, Landscapes Real or Imagined
*** Artists Reception Saturday, January 11 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Work by HCA Member Artists.
334 Center Street, Healdsburg
707-431-1970
healdsburgcenterforthearts.org

Laguna Foundation, Heron Hall
January 11 through April 25, Sonoma Impressions, Paintings by Lenona Winter
*** Opening Reception Saturday, January 11, from 3 to 5 p.m.
This exhibition of oil paintings celebrates the breathtaking landscapes of Sonoma County. Featuring scenes of majestic coastlines, golden summer hills, vibrant autumn vineyards, and serene natural vistas.
900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa
707-527-9277
www.lagunafoundation.org

Museum of Sonoma County
Art
Through February 2, 35th Annual Artistry in Wood
Artistry in Wood is an annual exhibition presented by the Sonoma County Woodworkers Association in partnership with the Museum. Staged every year since 1988, it is recognized as one of the premier fine woodworking shows in North America. Pieces accepted for exhibition must pass stringent criteria established by a board of jurors. Once pieces are selected, a panel of expert judges present Awards to the finest pieces in a wide range of categories including furniture, turnery, and artwork.

History
Through February 23, Tattooed and Tenacious: Inked Women in California’s History
From the upper-class women who started the tattoo craze to the working-class Tattooed Ladies who performed in circus sideshows, this exhibit puts the foremothers of modern tattooing in the spotlight. Through photographs and personal histories, this exhibit uncovers the fascinating and largely unknown story of women and tattoos before WWII. A show-stopping mannequin, hand-drawn by current Bay Area female tattoo artists and specially commissioned for this show, highlights how far women and tattooing have come.
425 Seventh Street, Santa Rosa
707-579-1500
www.museumsc.org

Occidental Center for the Arts
January 11 through February 15, Black History: Get Up, Stand Up
*** Artist Reception January 25
3850 Doris Murphy Court, Occidental
707-874-9392
www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org

Paul Mahder Gallery
Through the Holidays, Annual Holiday Group Exhibit
Come celebrate the season featuring new and archived works from 45 artists represented by the Gallery. And, New Drawings by New York Artist, Steven Assael.
222 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg
707-473-9150
paulmahdergallery.com/

Pepperwood Gallery
Through January 26, 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
January 16 through February 22, Forest Unseen
*** Opening reception Thursday, January 16, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Forests are vital to life on Earth, supporting all living beings. This timely and immersive exhibition of paintings, drawings, and photographs honors and celebrates California’s renowned biodiversity, while also addressing the critical challenges faced by these ecosystems. Participating artists; Adrienne Defendi, Christel Dillbohner, Charlie Levin, Rainey Straus, Jennifer Tatum, Stefan Thuilot.
230 Lakeville Street, Petaluma
707-762-5600
www.petalumaartscenter.org

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

Santa Rosa Arts Center
January 3 through February 1, Annual Members Art Show
*** Artist reception First Friday, January 3 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Eighth annual exhibition of artwork by current SRAC members.
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

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
January 4 through February 2, Impressions In Ink
*** Opening reception, January 4, from 2 to 4 p.m.
In collaboration with the California Society of Printmakers, celebrating printmaking in all forms.
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 January 10, Bob Hart Nature Photography
7140 Bodega Ave, Sebastopol
707-823-7691

Sonoma State University, University Art Gallery
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.

January 18 through April 27, Book Becoming Art
*** Opening Reception Saturday, January 25, from 5 to 7 p.m.
This exhibition introduces audiences to the art of bookmaking, presenting an exquisite collection of approximately 40 contemporary hand-crafted artist books. All of the artwork is inspired by Japanese aesthetics with the majority of pieces coming from Japan. The exhibition highlights how Japanese artistry combines traditional elements such as paper and calligraphy with modern themes and techniques, particularly in bookmaking and print. These limited-edition and one-of-a-kind works celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Japan and its influence on artistic expression, showcasing a blend of sophistication and creativity.
551 Broadway, Sonoma
707-939-7862
www.svma.org

Upstairs Art Gallery
Through January 26, Sunlight and Shadows
*** Reception Saturday, January 4 from 3 to 5 p.m.
Linda Barretta presents Sunlight and Shadows, a collection of impressionist oil paintings that capture the beauty of Sonoma. Working in the colorist tradition, Barretta explores the interplay among light, color and form to create vibrant eye-catching scenes. Meet the artist: Barretta will be hosting the Gallery January 4, 8, 27 from 11 am to 2:30 pm and January 20 from 2:30 pm to 6 pm.

The Stairway Showcase presents Carmen Sheldon’s Intersection: Women, Misogyny, Books and the Power of Education, a unique exhibit that dramatizes Sheldon’s personal life history, from her youth to the present. The theme couples her dedication to women’s empowerment and the transformative role of books and education. Meet the artist: Sheldon will be hosting the Gallery January 4, 8, 25, 27 from 2:30 pm to 6 pm.
306 Center Street, Healdsburg
707-431-4214
www.Upstairsartgallery.net

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