Over eight years ago, Donna & I opened the Pelican Art Gallery and Custom Framing Studio in the Plaza North Shopping Center, moving downtown in 2006.  We have had the honor of representing some of Petaluma’s & Sonoma County’s finest artists.  We enjoyed hosting the full spectrum of artists from the Masters of Today to the emerging artists of the Cats & Dragon’s Art Studio.   We learned that owning a gallery is a community endeavor that is multifaceted, requiring the help of many.  We are grateful for loyal customers, cooperative gallery owners,  inspiring non-profit organizers and for an incredibly giving and caring community.  We can count our successes by the number of wonderful customers and bustling partnerships.  Many of you may have heard that we’ll be closing the Pelican Art Gallery at the end of this month (June 2012).  Donna & I would like to take the opportunity to thank all who have helped make our journey in retail a fantastic experience.  It’s hard to imagine our achievements without joint ventures with the Petaluma Downtown Association, Cats & Dragon’s Art Studio, Cinnabar, Petaluma Arts Center, Calabi Gallery, Riverfront Gallery, Gallery One, Haus Fortuna, the Petaluma Art Academy (l’Atelier aux Couleurs), Art WithOut Lables, Singer Gallery, Petaluma City Ballett,  Della Fattoria, M.E. Olson Construction, World of Stereo, Digital Grange,  Rotary, Cinnabar, Vday Petaluma, Readers Theatre, West Side Stories, Art the Play, AAUW, Betty’s List, Leadership Petaluma, Out of Annapolis, Chamber, Medley Glass and Larson Juhl to name just a few.  We need to thank the artists, poets, readers, merchants and citizens  for your participation, because with you our local businesses thrive.  Thank you Petaluma.  After June, Donna & I will be focusing on our own art and other things that we’ve put on hold the last few years.  We invite the community to our farewell reception on Wednesday, June 13th from 5 – 7pm.  This reception will be followed at 7:30pm by the final West Side Stories at Pelican Art Gallery with the theme of “Save the Best for Last”.  Because we anticipate a full house, you can secure your seat by purchasing your ticket ($5)  in advance at the Pelican Art Gallery.  West Side Stories will likely continue at another venue.

This will be my last blog.

Thanks again Petaluma, see you around town!

Haus Fortuna will be missed!

When I first became interested in the Petaluma Downtown Association (PDA), I remember being really impressed with the passion expressed by several of the movers & shakers.  Of those people, none had more energy, leadership and savvy than Karla Schikore.  Karla, with help from her wonderful husband George, have been such stalwart supports of the downtown.  I’ve always been amazed at Karla’s generosity of time, resource, ideas and energy.  Due to her guiding hand, the PDA has been vibrant through some of the toughest years faced by the retail industry in recent history.

The Art Walks will also have a void without the local flavor that Karla brought to Theater Square.  Karla’s commitment to technology was also a key force in the PDA.  She studied the new ways to connect with her customer base and freely shared her knowledge with those of us who frequent the PDA Marketing Meetings on the first Friday of the month at Apple Box.

Karla loves to have fun and can always be counted on for a smile.  Her willingness in 2010 & 2011 to take charge of the PDA float for the parade was unprecedented.  She orchestrated the theme, design, construction and deployment of 2 award winning floats that landed the PDA as the grand marshal for the parade in 2011.  She’s a great friend to Petaluma and we wish her the best in her future endeavors.  Be sure that Karla, George & Haus Fotuna will be missed!

Karla as Miss Art & Garden

Karla 2011 PDA float

Starting at 5pm and going until 8pm, 7 of the 8 locations including the Petaluma Arts Center, Haus Fortuna, Gallery One, Art WitnOut Labels (AWOL), Riverfront Art Gallery, Calabi Gallery & Viva Cocolat  will share art, food & drink for participants.

At 8pm, at Pelican Art Gallery, dancers from the Ballet will perform to “Moondance”, played by our own John Allair.  Then the dance floor is open to all.  John will be playing from 7 – 9pm

Weather is no problem since free shuttles will be provided  from place to place.  Start at any of the locations.

It’s $30 for single and $50 for 2.  An incredible deal,  hope to see you there!

Questions call 707-6642295 or get your tickets today at http://petalumacityballet.org/ or at any of the participating galleries.

I have been reflecting on the last year and wanted to share with you my gratitude for one of Petaluma’s shining stars, Marie McCusker, the Executive Director of the Petaluma Downtown Association (PDA) and Petaluma Visitors Program (PVP).  As a downtown merchant, the PDA has been an incredible partner and advocate.  I have been honored to have served on the PDA board for the last 4 years .  During this time I have marveled at Marie’s dedication to her job, enthusiasm for our community, incredible ability to negotiate, pleasure in representing Petaluma, passion for marketing Petaluma, strength in her leadership and, not least of all, her contagious sense of humor.  Those of you who know Marie, understand this.

It has been Marie’s leadership over the last 18 months that has enabled the PVP, on less than a shoestring budget, to blossom into a explosive marketing asset for Petaluma.  We are now recognized by the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau as a key partner in marketing our County.  I have been so pleased with Marie’s ability to increase our visibility in national press.  She has a vision for Petaluma and we are really lucky to have her at the helm of two critical Petaluma organizations that put us on the map.

Marie McCusker Treasure Hunt 2011

Thank you Marie for your hard work, you truly are a shining star of Petaluma!

- Haus Fortuna (111 2nd St, open until 10pm) will augment its spectacular art offerings with Santa and a Pearl Knotting demonstration.  You can also find visit the artfully decorated trees on display at the Festival of Trees in Theatre Square.
- Viva Cocolat (110 Petaluma Blvd N, open until 10pm) will be offering special treats for holiday art viewing.
- Gallery One (209 Western Ave open until 8pm) has their “Think Red” exhibit with many new craft artists including a new special display of Blenko glass.
- Calabi Gallery (144 Petaluma Blvd N, open until 8pm) currently  has an exhibit featuring Post War Modernism of the West 1945 – 1985, owner and conservator Dennis Calabi will be available to discuss the unique history of the art of this period.
- Clear Heart Gallery (368 Petaluma Blvd North, open until 7pm) 20% off  a snuggling  “Warm & Cozy”  hand made wearable/usable sweater, blanket, scarf & more.
- Riverfront Art Gallery (132 Petaluma Blvd N, Open until 10pm)  will have an Artisans Extravaganza featuring a trunk show by local jewelry makers and four artisians working in woods and metals adding diversity for the art lover on your list.
- Pelican Art Gallery (143 Petaluma Blvd N open until 8pm), in addition to a fabulous “Small Works” show with art small for the wall and the wallet, you’ll find the first annual Graham Cracker Holiday House Decorating workshops  for all ages starting each hour on the hour from 2 – 5pm ($10).
- Art WithOut Labels (AWOL – 111 Kentucky St open until 7pm) will be hosting its annual holiday party including meet & greet with their extraordinary artists accompanied by  live music, poetry readings, tea tasting, and delicious food.
- The Petaluma Arts Center (230 Lakeville St open until 6pm) boasts over 180 local artists in their annual Member Show presenting paintings, sculpture, photograph, drawings and more.

For more information about the Petaluma Downtown Art Walk, contact 707-773-3393 or go to http://petalumadowntown.com/PetalumaArt.aspx for a map and list of participants.

Plenty of great art downtown.  Join us for the Art Walk from 4 – 7pm Saturday, October 10th and then stay for some additional fun!

The galleries in Petaluma have been working diligently to bring you a wide spectrum of art and education, so now is the time to start or continue your shopping with art investments for the future.

After you’ve taken in the spectrum of art downtown, relax with the finale event for Art Walk at the Pelican Art Gallery with a return appearance of  Chris Clark, Motown star and singer extraordinaire. Just $5 for an hour of The Girls is Groovin  at 7:30pm. Doors open at 7pm.  To find out more, click here.

See you Saturday in Downtown Petaluma!

Petaluma Arts Association’s 54th presentation of Art in the Park at Walnut Park from 10 – 5 Saturday and Sunday, September 10th & 11th, 2011.  A wide spectrum of art styles and medium will be represented.

Back in the 1980s, Sonoma County was put on the map by the installation art project called the Running Fence by Christo & Jean Claude .  Fast forward to September 2011 and get set for a new running fence project at the Petaluma Arts Center as part of the September Art Walk.  The project was launched at the Rivertown Revival in July and quickly gained steam from there. The fundraiser for the Arts Center was devised as a community art project, in which, for $5, you could purchase a fence post that you were to take away, paint and bring back for the installaion.  Over 200 fence posts have been purchased and many of them painted and returned for the big event next week.  Be sure to mark your calendar for the Art Walk which is the Second Saturday, Sept 14th,  from 4 – 7pm.

Our arts community is giving us so many reasons to be proud of Petaluma’s contribution to the cultural fabric of Sonoma County.  The visual arts are well represented in the Art Walks and I encourage you to put on your sneakers and make an afternoon/evening of the downtown next Saturday.  You’ll be glad you did!