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8/26/2018 0 Comments

Businesses that share space for unlikely combinations

Santa Rosa Press Democrat article honors two long lived Healdsburg businesses operating under one roof - Upstairs Art Gallery and Levin & Co. Books

The best businesses are started as as means to fill a need.
Does this mean if two are started under the same roof they fill twice the need?.....
The article on Healdsburg is by Ann Carranza of the Press Democrat published Sunday August 26, 2018 in the Towns section. . Photo credit: BethSchlanker

https://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/8654233-181/dual-businesses-healdsburg-bookstore-serves

8/23/2018 0 Comments

Now and then...by Cynthia Sumner

Reception Friday August 24th 6-8pm

8/23/2018 0 Comments

Vines and Vistas

Sonoma County landscapes in oil by Laura G. Roney

Old Vine Zin by Laura Roney, oil 24" x 48"

Laura's Roney's latest oil paintings reflect views throughout Sonoma County, either vineyards or Sonoma County parks. The land in Sonoma County has such varied landscapes, and provides a near endless opportunity for breath taking scenes. Some paintings focus on vines, others focus on vistas. Still other paintings focus on both.
Laura says,"This part of the country is so beautiful. It is a pleasure to capture it in paintings. My paintings focus on the breathtaking beauty that makes up the wine country. I am endlessly enamored with the gorgeous vines and stunning vistas. Many of my paintings include the stunning rolling hills and mountain ranges along with the fantastic grapes and vineyards".

Roney has focused on her art since 1993. She received basic training at institutions of higher learning, but says she truly learned by studying with practicing artists. She is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Fine Art at Academy of Art in San Francisco.

Artists' Reception
Saturday, August 4, 2 - 5pm

Sunset in Wine Country by Laura Roney

7/11/2018 0 Comments

Color is king.....small works by Jill Keller Peters

Rich Life by Jill Keller Peters

Modernist and Impressionist oil painter, Jill Keller Peters, is featuring a collection of small scale minimalist abstractions and impressionist landscapes in the gallery’s Small Works Showcase. These paintings celebrate Keller Peter’s expressive color sense both in design and nature.

Meet Jill at her artist reception at Upstairs Art Gallery, 306 Center Street, Healdsburg, CA.
Saturday July 14 2018, 2-5

Fairy Tale Land by Jill Keller Peters

7/11/2018 1 Comment

Slice of Americana :paintings by Cynthia Jackson-Hein

Cynthia Jackson-Hein’s paintings speak of times gone by, with a personal connection to the things she most loves in life – people, animals and landscapes.
Artist reception : Upstairs Art Galelry, 306 Center St, Healdsburg, CA
Saturday, July 14 2018, 2 - 5pm.

6/26/2018 0 Comments

Alumni Artists showcase

Currently displaying work by a selection of artist partners spanning the gallery's 21 year history.

Diana Majumdar; David Walker, Katrina Small, Taylor Paige; Judy Markoff; Don Drummond; Gary Sauder, Nishi Marcus; Lindy Date;Dee Andreini; Tony Mininno; Tamra Sanchez; Jan Thomas and T Barny sculpture.

6/26/2018 0 Comments

Our gallery is 21 years old this week!

A heartfelt thanks to all our artists and art collectors who have made it all possible.

Current Upstairs Art Gallery artist partners - June 2018
Back row: Ron Sumner, Carolyn Wilson, Bill Gittins, Donna Schaffer
Second row: Lenona Winter, Jo Tobin-Charleston, Laura Roney, Susan Greer, Willow Laland
Front row : Jill Keller Peters, Phyllis Rapp, Cynthia Jackson-Hein, Marsha Connell
not pictured : Dan Scannell, Cynthia Sumner, John Warner.

Upstairs Art Gallery is celebrating 21 years in business -June 2018. This major milestone bestows upon the gallery the honor of being the longest running art gallery in Healdsburg history, a town that is currently the vibrant home to over 20 art galleries. This small gallery was also ahead of its time in 1997, as was the first artist-owned gallery to open in Sonoma County, a business model that has since been followed successfully by many more!

June is the time to show off Sonoma County's bounty of crops, backyard gardens and agricultural heritage. "Abundance" is the theme that is featured in the gallery front window. Art works by Carolyn Wilson, Lenona Winter, Cynthia Jackson-Hein, Willow Laland, Dan Scannell , Ron Sumner and Jill Keller Peters showcase the varied farmland offerings that are rooted in Sonoma County.

Upstairs there will be a historical showcase of artwork by many alumni artists who have been part of the gallery's 21 year past, alongside the work of the 16 current artist partners.

4/13/2018 0 Comments

New York Times visited Upstairs Art Gallery ....press cuttings from the archives

Some things remain the same.....

Travel writer, Amy Gunderson, from the New York Times visited us and wrote about Upstairs Art Gallery in her article "36 Hours /Healdsburg, Calif." , published Friday August 26, 2005.

Amy says "Levin and Company (306 Center Street) is a small bookstore with an artist-owned gallery upstairs - called Upstairs Art Gallery - where the person working the desk is one of the creative minds behind the art adorning the walls. Even in the heart of wine county, it isn't just about the grapes."

Of the restaurants, hotels and shops mentioned in the article, many have gone by the wayside, but Upstairs Art Gallery and Levin's bookstore are still thriving, and in the good company of Downtown Bakery and Creamery, Oakville Grocery and Bear Republic Brewing Company ....all still highly recommended on any visit to Healdsburg.

Credit: New York Times, August 26, 2005. Article written by Amy Gunderson. Photos by Peter DaSilva.

Upstairs Art Gallery, Healdsburg, Califonia mentioned in travel article, New York Times, 2005

credit: New York Times, Amy Gunderson. August 26 2005

3/24/2018 0 Comments

Watercolors from my travels by John Warner

John Warner creates watercolor paintings of coastal landscapes and seascapes from Canada to Mexico, Hawaii, and the Mediterranean, as well as California's vineyards. John says he finds inspiration in their ever-changing light and reflections and warmth. John paints only from his own sketches and photos. This methodology is how he focuses
his vision into a very personal sense of place.

John says his love of watercolor began as a youngster visiting the galleries in Carmel, California. His aunt and uncle lived in Carmel. When the families got together on the holidays, they'd explore the beaches and art galleries. As an aspiring artist, John was enthralled with the unique environment. John says that to this day the Monterey Peninsula and Big Sur Coast continue to amaze and stimulate him to capture its rugged beauty.

John is our featured artist April 1-29 2018

3/24/2018 0 Comments

Birds' Eye Views - watercolors by Ron Sumner

Well known for his paintings of California birds, Ron Sumner is also showing some of his Sonoma county vistas - from a bird's perspective. Ron's ability to portray birds realistically in their natural environment is evident in his landscape paintings too. His work has won many awards including two editions of Splash - an annual international publication featuring 100 of today's most accomplished watercolor artists. Paintings by Ron Sumner will be featured through March 25 2018.

Reception Saturday, March 17th 2-6. Refreshments served.

3/18/2018 0 Comments

Save the Date.....

Join us on June 23rd 2018 as we celebrate 21 years of in Healdsburg.
That adds up to a lot of lives enriched by art!

2/23/2018 0 Comments

American Art Collector visits Upstairs Art Gallery

Upstairs Art Gallery gets a mention in the February 2018 Edition of American Art Collector - a team came to California to write a feature on Healdsburg as a great Art City destination. It sure is!

1/20/2018 0 Comments

Whimsical watercolors....by Phyllis Rapp

Starting off the New Year with the spotlight on Healdsburg artist Phyllis Rapp, our featured artist for January.

The artwork that she has chosen to display will depict watercolor winter themes that celebrate plants, animals and people in a whimsical style.

Phylllis is new to the gallery - but not really. She was a founding member of the gallery 20 years ago and was the gallery manager for many years. Then we scared her away and she went and lived on a sailboat in the Caribbean. But now we're thrilled to have her back.

Phyllis is featured artist thru Feb 4 2018.
Reception Saturday January 27 3-6pm

1/19/2018 0 Comments

American Art Collector Magazine spotlights Healdsburg

Pick up your copy (February 2018 Edition) of
American Art Collector Magazine at your local retailer. Upstairs Art Gallery is mentioned as the place to find 'local art by local artists' in their 7 page 'Arts City Focus' article featuring Healdsburg.

10/11/2017 0 Comments

October 11th, 2017

SANTA ROSA AREA FIRE UPDATE:
The gallery will continue to be closed Wed and Thurs (Oct 11 and 12th) due to the fire conditions and very poor air quality in our area.
Our gallery 'family' of 16 local artists are all safe and accounted for, including their pets, but we have been deeply affected by the fire. Some of us are evacuated from our homes, and several of us have lost our homes in the fire .....
We are happy to report that the fire has not come near the town of Healdsburg, so the gallery is fine.
Thank you for your support and concerns for our artists and we hope to see you under clear blue skies soon.

10/2/2017 0 Comments

October 2017

Color me Happy by Tony Minnino

Embarking on a new direction in his artwork, artist Tony Mininno shares a fresh and engaging side of his creative self in his colorful, passionate abstracts. Each unique piece, drawn from the reservoir of his life, is filled with soul and energy. Keeping in mind that color has the scientifically proven ability to alter one’s mood and feelings, Mininno thoughtfully applies each stroke, first in response to his own inner psyche, but also to further elicit such emotions as excitement, joy, calm, creativity and respect. These emotions, first experienced by the artist, himself, are then offered through his abstracts, as a gift to the viewer - a gift to pause and explore for themselves all that is drawn out in their own experience of his art.

"These paintings exhibit bright color and whimsical pattern and brushwork. I applied thick layers of paint that I have carved or incised with serrated knives to create directional movement or 'energy.'

Although I have given each painting a name that hints at my intention, I want the viewer to explore each painting and let his or her mind wander in and around my canvas and reach their own conclusion as to what it represents to them in their minds."

To further your art-viewing pleasure, Tony Mininno's small works abstracts will be on display along with, "Autumn Color," a show featuring the artworks of all the artists at Upstairs Art Gallery, October 2nd - 29th.

Reception: October 7th, 4-7PM

Tony will also be in the gallery on the following days:
Tuesday, Oct. 3, 11am-6pm
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 3-6pm
Saturday, Oct. 14, 11am-3pm

9/4/2017 0 Comments

Reasons to Rejoice

Debbie Harding - soft pastel paintings

There is not one blade of grass,
there is no color in this world
that is not intended to make us rejoice." - John Calvin

Focused mainly on landscape, floral and wildlife, each artwork is an invitation to see more acutely the richness of life that we can so often miss in our hurried pace.

"This quote by John Calvin has come to hold great meaning to me, as it so aptly describes the mood of my heart as I encounter new and amazing things in nature. Many times, overwhelmed with awe, I can only describe my feelings as intense joy, which find their expression in my artistic interpretations. It is my desire that my artwork will encourage and elicit similar feelings in the viewer. I invite you to rejoice with me in all that we are so blessed to see and experience in the gift of creation." - Debbie Harding

9/4/2017 0 Comments

Sonoma Impressions

Lenona Winter - plein air oil paintings

Winter has painted the Sonoma hills extensively for several years. This exhibition features work of this area as well as coastal and rural vistas.

“The Sonoma hills are renowned for their seasonal beauty,” says Winter. “As spring arrives hillside meadows blaze in shades of green and splashes of yellow, orange and violet wildflowers. In summer and fall the hills’ sumptuous shades of gold juxtapose with dark green oaks, casting long, luscious shadows. When I’m painting, an occasional hiker or curious cow may visit or a Turkey Vulture might swoop in for a closer look. It’s a calming place where I can feel the stillness of a summer afternoon and the warmth of the sun-soaked earth. Intoxicated, I return to paint it again and again.”

7/2/2017 0 Comments

Aqua media collage

Pieces of Me by Carolyn Wilson

Reception Saturday July 8 5-8pm

Full of personal history and layers of meaning, British expatriate Carolyn Wilson's new series of collage pieces capture aspects of her experience living and traveling in England. She says, "Communicating more than what is merely visible on the surface, my latest collage work incorporates ephemera, such as maps, printed words and postage stamps. The work is embedded with fragments of my life story - pieces of me. The mementos might end up being only partially visible beneath layers of paper, or completely hidden, but their inclusion is important to my creative process and the evolution of a piece. The viewer needs to take a close look to discover them."

Carolyn's collage work has a tactile, fabric like quality, and contemporary style framing of paintings on canvas or wood panels eliminates the need for glass, allowing viewers to enjoy and even touch the rich surface textures. Many of Carolyn's new works are small in size, although equally as creative and detailed as her larger paintings. She uses a variety of aqua media, (meaning anything dissolved with water) such as watercolor, acrylic, inks and gesso in combination with collage elements of found or hand colored rice papers.

6/28/2017 0 Comments

20 Years in business....

Some Gallery history.....The gallery opened 20 years ago today, and started out life as a place for Santa Rosa Art Guild artists to show their work. That aspect has changed, but much else remains the same. Interestingly, we were the first "Artist Owned" gallery in Sonoma County.

Photo Credit: Press cutting from The Healdsburg Tribune, June 25, 1997