The art scene in Petaluma is really blossoming! For the first time this century, art galleries out number antique stores. The Petaluma galleries are hosting amazing fine art from all over the county and the nation, treating us to rich new cultural dimensions of various forms and styles of art. There are art openings every month with a second Friday art walk including galleries, studios and merchants who choose to display fine art in addition to their baseline products. There is a true surge of art awareness that spans from the annual art shows like the 51st annual Art in the Park to the farmers market craft/art presence to the youth art efforts at the Phoenix and Boys & Girls Clubs.

The art is all over town (yes, even on the East side!). At a yoga studio on the East side, you can find vintage cartoons/sketches from the New Yorker magazine. Our hospital is host to a quarterly art show that lifts the spirits of patients & staff. The Mahoney Library at the Petaluma Campus of the SRJC features fantastic exhibits.

Next month, September of 2008, Petaluma will add yet another reason for highlighting fine art on our city’s resume. The Petaluma Arts Council will see a dream come true by opening a Petaluma Art Center in the beautiful building at the corner of D Street and Lakeville Hwy. Many people in the art community of Petaluma dreamed of an art center, talked about an art center and wondered how to go about making it happen.

Ten years after forming the Petaluma Arts Council, a handful of dedicated artists and citizens, the art community, the city and a multitude of generous donors have made the dream of an art center reality.

I hope you bring friends & family to join the public celebration on September 20th and 21st. Here are the details:

Saturday, September 20
Public Grand Opening – 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Visitors may tour the facility, where three dimensional works by celebrated North Bay artists will be on display in the G.K. Hardt Gallery, while the Community Room will feature the works of Petaluma artist Phoebe Washer. Handson ceramics and other art creating activities will take place in the Center’s two classrooms, with chalk drawing and other arts activities scheduled for the exterior areas of the Center. Musicians will perform throughout the day, and free snacks and beverages will be available. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to have their photo taken, which will then become part of a larger photo sculpture collage created during the opening weekend festivities.

Sunday, September 21
Poetry Walk and Open House – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The opening weekend events continue with the 10 a.m. start of the Petaluma Poetry Walk, where current and past Sonoma County Poet Laureates will present their works, and friends and colleagues of Phoebe Washer will read poetry written in her memory. From approximately 11am4pm, the building will be open for visitors to view the many works
on display, and to participate in the final day of the photo sculpture collage project.
Admission to both days of activities at the Petaluma Arts Center – September 20 & 21 – is free. Further information will be announced in this newsletter, and also visit
our website at www.petalumaartscouncil.org.

Petaluma, truly a fine art destination!