Current Show:
Featured Artist: Linda Barretta
Suspended Memories
"Wolf Moon"
Exhibit Dates: July 26 – August 30, 2020
Local artist, Linda Barretta, presents Suspended Memories, a collection of recent oil paintings that capture the landscape’s ever-changing light. Seizing in paint the unique lighting on location is her most important tool – creating a memory that the carries through in her studio work. “I love to weave the vibrant colors and textures to create an artistic experience that takes the viewer to that special time and place,” said Barretta. Whether painted at the edge of a field or later tapping her memory, her masterful sense of color takes your breath away with its magical vibrancy. Key works showing the artist’s color mastery are featured in the exhibit: “Wolf Moon,” a nocturn of the Russian River and “Magic Hour,” a lavender field melting into dusk.
A Sonoma County artist, Barretta lives and works in Healdsburg. Known for her vibrant use of color, she developed her impressionist style and skills through numerous hours of plein air painting and studying with master artists. Her works are exhibited throughout the country.
A Sonoma County artist, Barretta lives and works in Healdsburg. Known for her vibrant use of color, she developed her impressionist style and skills through numerous hours of plein air painting and studying with master artists. Her works are exhibited throughout the country.
"Sunset Hour"
Smallworks Showcase: Willow LaLand-Yielding
Flights of Fancy
"Phoenix"
The Small Works Showcase on the stairway features Flights of Fancy by Willow LaLand-Yeilding, a collection of works on paper that explores the range of emotion and depth achieved in the simplicity of line, shadow and composition. In these works, the blank paper as negative space is as important as the positive design elements themselves. “I enjoy the freedom that comes with the medium and exploring the honesty of form and contrast,” said the artist.
Previous Show:
Featured Artist: Victoria A. Kochergin
Showcasing Nature's Beauty
"Daphne"
Exhibit Dates: June 29th— July 26th, 2020
Local artist, Victoria A. Kochergin, presents Showcasing Nature’s Beauty, a collection of colored pencil botanicals, detailing the beauty found year-round. Kochergin is inspired as each season showcases Nature’s beauty: from spring’s emergence of dormant bulbs, summer’s array of fruits, autumn’s orange, yellow and burgundy leaves, to winter’s white flowers. “It is this seasonal beauty I strive to capture in detail and bring to the viewer’s attention,” said the artist. These pieces are revelatory in their amazing translucent coloring and detail. Achieved through hours and weeks of work layering colors, each piece is a unique pearl drawn from Nature. “I believe every botanical in Nature deserves its spotlight, “ noted Kochergin. These works truly inspire awe with the complexity and magnificence in Nature.
Kochergin’s artwork has been exhibited in Alcatraz, local and international shows, Art Trails and Art at the Source. She received a BA in Fine Arts and English from UC Berkeley. Working in various mediums during her career, she now concentrates on colored pencil. She is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists and the Northern Society of Botanical Artists and teaches classes in the medium. A portion of Kochergin’s sales from this exhibit will be donated to SNAP Cats, a local cat rescue.
Kochergin’s artwork has been exhibited in Alcatraz, local and international shows, Art Trails and Art at the Source. She received a BA in Fine Arts and English from UC Berkeley. Working in various mediums during her career, she now concentrates on colored pencil. She is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists and the Northern Society of Botanical Artists and teaches classes in the medium. A portion of Kochergin’s sales from this exhibit will be donated to SNAP Cats, a local cat rescue.
"A New Day"
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"Trifoliate Orange"
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Smallworks Showcase: Cynthia Sumner
Between Chaos and Calm
"Bloodlines"
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"Asergent"
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The Small Works Showcase on the stairway features Between Chaos and Calm, a collection of small abstract paintings by Cynthia Sumner. Her work is emotionally derivative and process driven. “Frequently, I tap into state of mind or some emotional content I want to explore first. Then I apply paint or mixed media in layers adding texture and random mark-making, before scraping back and repeating the process, until interesting elements spark my imagination, “stated the artist. From this creative energy emerge beautiful works that are a perfect trifecta of texture, color and composition. A graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute, Sumner was an art educator in the Bay Area and New Orleans.
"Tempered Storm"
Previous Show:
Featured Artist: Donna Schaffer
Wine Country Winter
"Foggy Vineyard Vista" Donna Schaffer
Exhibit Dates: March 1st — March 28th, 2020
Reception: Saturday, March 7, 2020 from 6 – 8 pm: Meet the artists and celebrate this show. Refreshments will be served.
Local artist, Donna Schaffer, presents Wine Country Winter, a collection of paintings that express the special beauty that Sonoma wine country takes on in its winter phase. Painted in oil, these works depict the swaths of fog that grace the region’s valleys like misty veils. As the sky takes on a leading role during the winter season, color pops up in the form of stunning red-orange sunsets and sunrises. Responding to a sense of mystery, the viewer is seduced by the quiet peacefullness of the foggy scenes. “I’ve lived in Sonoma County twenty-five years and our “neighborhood” is gorgeous all year round and I want to share that beauty,” said Schaffer.
Art has been a main thread throughout Schaffer’s life. It wove through her advertising and photojournalism experience and culminated when she landed in Sonoma wine country. “How could I not be a painter,” noted Schaffer, as she contemplated the area’s jaw-dropping natural beauty. Schaffer has been a member of the Upstairs Art Gallery for seventeen years and exhibited throughout the region, including five years as an Art Trails artist.
Art has been a main thread throughout Schaffer’s life. It wove through her advertising and photojournalism experience and culminated when she landed in Sonoma wine country. “How could I not be a painter,” noted Schaffer, as she contemplated the area’s jaw-dropping natural beauty. Schaffer has been a member of the Upstairs Art Gallery for seventeen years and exhibited throughout the region, including five years as an Art Trails artist.
Small Works Showcase: Phyllis Rapp
"Goldfish" Phyllis Rapp
The Small Works Showcase on the stairway features Short Stories by Phyllis Rapp, a collection of small mixed media paintings depicting a range of subjects, from garden flowers to exotic animals and fish. Rapp’s magic brush brings excitement to each piece by the creative mix of amazing acrylic pours, color washes and intricate patterns.
Previous Show:
Embracing Beauty
"Wood Sorrel"
Donna Schaffer
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"World's Beauty" Phyllis Rapp
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Exhibit Dates: – January 27 – February 23, 2020
Reception: Saturday, February 15, 2 to 5 pm: Meet the artists and celebrate this beautiful show. Refreshments will be served.
Upstairs Art Gallery artists Susan Greer, Willow LaLand, Gail Morgan, Phyllis Rapp, Donna Schaffer, Cynthia Sumner, Ron Sumner, and Carolyn Wilson pool their artistic talents to present “Embracing Beauty,” an exhibit expressing multi-faceted interpretations of beauty. The viewer is taken to a garden of delights as each artist presents his or her take on the theme – the potpourri of colors, flowers, subjects is an uplifting harbinger of spring. Carolyn Wilson’s offering, “Judy’s Sunflower” is lively and cheerful. “I think sunflowers are beauty personified; they capture the sunny energy and warmth of summer days, a reminder of bright times ahead,” said Wilson. Gail Morgan strikes a bright note with “Jazz,” an abstract monoprint interpreting the beauty of the music. Filled with roses, Phyllis Rapp’s painting was inspired by a Toni Morrison quote: “At some point in life, the world’s beauty becomes enough.” This exhibit brings the world’s beauty – Sonoma style – into clear focus.
"Judy's Sunflower" Carolyn Wilson
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"Jazz" Gail Morgan
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Small Works Showcase: Marsha Connell
"Koi Pond" Marsha Connell
The Small Works Showcase on the stairway features Ebb and Flow by Marsha Connell. Rendered in oil, pastel and watercolors, this collection is imbued with the movement and flow inspiring the artist as she works direct from life. “it’s all about the dynamic of being in the moment and a selective process that gives plein air works that special fluid quality,” remarked Connell. Drawing on her background as a dancer, her paintings have a spontaneous quality that invites the viewer to join the dance and complete the vision.
Previous Show:
Featured Artist: Laura Roney
The Golden Hour
Laura Roney "The Long Run"
Exhibit Dates: December 30, 2019 – January 25, 2020
Reception: Saturday, January 18, 2020, 2 pm to 5 pm: please join artists Laura Roney and John Sumner to celebrate the show; refreshments will be served.
Laura Roney presents The Golden Hour, a collection of oil paintings that depict the landscape when the light is fleeting. These works transport the viewer to that unique and magical time of day when the sun is near the horizon. “How the changing light transforms the landscape is mesmerizing and truly inspires my work, “ said Roney. Primarily showing scenes of Sonoma County and wine country, these paintings are so compelling, they create their own golden glow.
A wine-country artist, Roney has been in love with art her entire life. She started studying at an early age and kept it up whatever avenue she was pursuing. After a successful career in microbiology and pharmaceutical research, a family move to Northern California enabled Roney to focus on her art. She recently received her MFA from the Academy of Art University.
A wine-country artist, Roney has been in love with art her entire life. She started studying at an early age and kept it up whatever avenue she was pursuing. After a successful career in microbiology and pharmaceutical research, a family move to Northern California enabled Roney to focus on her art. She recently received her MFA from the Academy of Art University.
Small Works Showcase: John Sumner
John Sumner "The Cat"
The Small Works Showcase on the stairway features Speaking Cat and Dog by guest artist John Sumner. Sumner uses creative textures and vibrant colors to capture the character and antics of our four-legged friends. Living with many cats, painting them became second nature to the artist. Always fun, Sumner’s work runs the gamut of realistic to interpretive.
Previous Show:
A Humane Holiday: In Collaboration with the Humane Society of Sonoma County
"Basset Puppy Ho Ho Ho" Laura Roney
Exhibit Dates: November 17 – December 29, 2019
Open House: All Day Saturday, December 7, 9 am to 8 pm:
Join gallery artists and Humane Society volunteers to celebrate our furry friends with captivating art and surprise events throughout the day, such as a Puppy Kissing Booth. Holiday goodies will fuel the festivities A special wine offering, Windsor Vineyards label will cheer us on. Twenty percent of all sales during the day of the Open House will be donated to the Humane Society.
A “Humane Holiday,” a 5 week long exhibit featuring pet-inspired art work, is a fundraiser for the Humane Society of Sonoma County. The window art works by Laura Roney, Karen Miller, Willow LaLand , Andrea Cleall, Cynthia Jackson-Hein, Linda Barretta and Beverly Bird capture expressions and actions of their favorite pets . Rounding out the window display is Jo Tobin-Charleston’s cat-inspired jewelry. And you can commission a portrait of your pet and help out the Humane Society at the same time - for anyone who commissions a pet portrait before December 29, the Gallery will donate 20% of the sale to the Humane Society. The Gallery will also be accepting monetary donations for the Humane Society for the duration of the holiday season.
“After a year of fires and floods, it feels so uplifting to be ending the year on a high note - our four-legged friends never fail us”, said Beverly Bird.
“After a year of fires and floods, it feels so uplifting to be ending the year on a high note - our four-legged friends never fail us”, said Beverly Bird.
"Cat in a Quandry" Karen Miller
"Bovine Beauty"
Cynthia Jackson-Hein
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"Mr. Tipper" Beverly Bird
"Naughty Kitty" Andrea Cleall
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Small Works Showcase:
The Stairway Showcase features works by our local artisans such as Nancy Winn's new whimsical paper mache animal creations, and Melissa McCann's fused glass holiday items, jewelry and fine art pieces. This is all in addition to our regular array of Artisan ceramics. photos, whimsical metal sculpture, fused glass pieces which offer a wide variety of gift choices for the holiday season.
Previous Show:
Featured Artist: Susan Greer
Conversations with Nature
"Preston Point" Susan Greer
Exhibit Dates: September 30th - October 27th, 2019 + extended to November 17th (while we recover from fire evacuations and get our lives back to normal)
Artists Reception:
Saturday, October 12th, 2019, 2pm - 5pm
Please join artists, Susan Greer and Karen Miller to celebrate the show - enjoy bites and samples from Revive Kombucha, a local craft brewery.
Susan Greer presents Conversations with Nature, a collection of minimalist landscape paintings that capture the rhythmic quality of the natural world. Simplified elegant forms embody a serene sensitivity that is soulful and honest. “I paint what I feel and let the viewer fill in the details. As Edward Hopper said, ‘If you could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint.’ ,” noted Greer. Viewing this collection, one is transported to a calm, peaceful corner of the world.
Growing up in the North Bay, Greer developed sensitivity for native rolling hills and wetlands as she roamed open spaces in Sonoma and Marin. She has degrees from UC Santa Cruz and San Francisco S U and worked with George Lucas and Apple Computer. She rounded out her studies with mentors, including Wolf Kahn, Daniel Keys and Ken Auster.
Growing up in the North Bay, Greer developed sensitivity for native rolling hills and wetlands as she roamed open spaces in Sonoma and Marin. She has degrees from UC Santa Cruz and San Francisco S U and worked with George Lucas and Apple Computer. She rounded out her studies with mentors, including Wolf Kahn, Daniel Keys and Ken Auster.
"A Green Afternoon" Susan Greer
Small Works Showcase: Karen Miller
"Manzanita" Karen Miller
The Small Works Showcase on the stairway features “Quiet Places: Sonoma County in Pastels” by Karen A. Miller. This collection explores the quiet beauty found year round in our gorgeous county. A tranquil take on the world, Miller’s works reflect the contemplative act of creating art and the mood of her subjects. A signature member of the prestigious Pastel Society of the West Coast, Miller’s work has been selected for a number of juried exhibits.
"Rainy Day" Karen Miller
