It’s so exciting when our Petaluma artists are recognized for their art. Alfredo Tofanelli, one of the instructors at the Petaluma Art Academy (l’Atelier aux Couleurs), gives painting classes on Thursday mornings from 9am – 1pm. Alfredo, was awarded the “Best of Show” at the prestigious Napa Museum Biennial Juried Plein Air
competition & exhibit,
garnering him a solo exhibit at the Nana Museum next year and front
cover of the Napa Museum calendar for 2010. Petaluma artists Carole Gray-Weihman and Wendy Franklin received the Award of Excellence and their art will be included in next year’s calendar also. Other Petaluma Artists who made the cut were Camille Przwodek and Ruby Newman.

I must say that these awards are just another example of the rich, talented artist community here in Petaluma. We are so lucky to have such accomplished artists in our city and we constantly celebrate it so people around the San Francisco Bay Area recognize Petaluma as a fine art destination.

At Pelican Art Gallery, you can see the artwork of Alfredo Tofanelli, Carole Gray-Weihman, Camille Przewodek and Dale Axelrod through June 14th. Artists and art lovers will be treated to painting demonstrations by Alfredo Tofanelli on Saturday, April 25th at 3pm, Carole Gray-Weihman April 26th at 3pm, Camille Przewodek on Friday, May 8th at 7pm and by Carole Gray-Weihman on Thursday, May 14th at 6pm at the Pelican Art Gallery.

Petaluma truly is a budding fine art destination with a sparkling new art center, opened in September of 2008. We have a host of galleries featuring local and national artists presenting a spectrum of fine art choices. Veterans Gallery One and Singer Gallery are the cornerstones to this bustling art community. Other downtown galleries include Aurora Colors Gallery, Riverfront Art Gallery, The Painted Door Gallery, Boomerang Gallery, G.K. Hardt Gallery at the Petaluma Arts Center and Picture Perfect Gallery. Many of these galleries participate in a Second Friday Art Walk each month, joined by other merchants who feature local artists in their stores.