Changing Seasons Gallery & Gifts is located on the corner across from the historic town square. It offers fine art representing the best of local, regional and international artists' paintings, art glass, Moorcroft art pottery and hand-crafted gifts. Proprietor Ingrid Martinez is welcoming and very knowledgeable about everything in her store, and she is always happy to answer questions and share information about the pieces on display. Changing Seasons Gallery & Gifts was established in 2002 and prides itself on customer satisfaction. The store is internationally known for its high quality art and sought-after selection of Moorcroft pottery. The gallery also holds special events and presentations by the Moorcroft chairman Hugh Edwards and esteemed designer Emma Bossons.
Northbay Gallery located in the heart of Sonoma directly across from the historic town square is filled with beautiful paintings, glass art, jewelry, funature and more. Owner Donna Eremian and her delightful staff warmly welcome every customer and browser into the gallery and are happy to answer any questions about the artwork and artists. The staff is knowledgeable about the town and areas beyond, too, and eager to share local favorites to all.
The staff often has special events celebrating and showcasing artists and their art. The gallery offers insured shipping to anywhere around the world. There is a second Northbay gallery in Yountville, CA in Napa Valley, too.
Creative Director and playwright, Todd Evans, presents Sonoma Stage Works. A non-profit theatre company, Sonoma Stage Works had a 2010 Summer Season that offered four stage productions, including Agatha Christie's classic, Murder on the Nile. The office can be found in a graceful, older home on Broadway, under two towering Canary Island Palms.
Jim Callahan is founder of the La Haye Art Center, a welcoming and friendly public artists' studio, which operates out of the historic Gottenburg's garage in downtown Sonoma. One of the three original artists involved in renovating this historic space dating back to 1910, Callahan has maintained an active presence in the Sonoma arts community since founding La Haye in 1980.
Callahan's studio space is located in the front of the Center and visitors are welcomed by his works in progress, including large bronze sculptures of wild animals.
Community-supported Sonoma Valley Museum of Art was established in 1999 and is open to the public. It features contemporary artwork from around the world and has shown work by Picasso, Rembrandt and Goya. There is a good selection of books about art and artists, as well as a small cafe. The large, open space features a 3,000-square-foot main gallery and several smaller ones, including an interactive studio for adults and children.
Free docent-led tours are available every Saturday and Sunday. Classes pertaining to special exhibits are held throughout the year, as are children's programs and an adult series.
Lost Art Glassworks is a gallery selling art made by glass artist Lary Brookins. Art objects sold in this space include glass globes, sculptures, lamps, stained glass windows and more.
Maxwell Fun Center is located inside the Maxwell Plaza on Highway 12 in Sonoma. Once inside the plaza, it is not easy to find the fun center because it is tucked in the far right corner of the complex next to a grocery store.
The center offers an 18-hole miniture outdoor golf course with a covered seating area to facilitate outdoor events. Inside, you will find tons of arcade games ranging from classic pinball machines to new age racing and hunting games such as the family favorite "Big Buck Hunter." You will be greeted by the smell of popcorn at the snack bar where Maxwell's offers plenty of sweets and treats. Hours vary at the fun center depending on time of year, so please call in advace to book your party or celebration.
The Arts Guild of Sonoma is a non-profit organization serving as a public gallery for local and Bay Area artists. Founded in 1977, the guild is the longest continually operating artists' cooperative in California and is housed in a welcoming gallery on East Napa Street in downtown Sonoma. The Arts Guild is a major contributor to the local art scene in Sonoma and maintains ongoing artist exhibits that rotate once a month and are open to the public. Works include oil paintings, jewelry, photography, sculpture and pottery.
Additionally, the guild strives to "pick up the slack" of lacking art education in local schools and offers community art mentoring and outreach, and annually produces the "Small but Grand Works," exhibit, a summer mentoring program for Sonoma Valley High School students.
More than just a railroad depot museum, Depot Park Museum is a lovely, shaded park with an old-fashioned gazebo, benches and picnic tables. The museum itself, is in the Sonoma Depot building, with a cattle car, refrigerated car and caboose, poised on the tracks. The Museum was dedicated in 1978, and opened in 1979, after a fire destroyed the original building in 1976. The museum houses displays on the Great Bear Flag Revolt, the Miwok Indian period, and Rands Room which is full of railroad memorabilia. Admission is free.
The Lisa Kristine Gallery exhibits the work of photographer Lisa Kristine. A San Francisco based artist, her photographs investigate the lives of indigenous peoples. Kristine hopes to inspire a dialogue about the diversity of our connected world.
Tucked away in the maze of shops and galleries at 27 East Napa Street, and located in the historic J.G. Marcy Stable built in 1886, B. Brackett Fine Art is off the beaten path, and well worth exploring.
Brennie Brackett works in pastels and now in oils, her palette is vibrant and her still lifes and animal subjects are accessible to all. Ms. Brackett's mastery of the pastel medium has afforded her numerous awards. Stop by to chat and meet two of her favorite subjects, Harley and Daphne, her Norwich Terriers.
The Sonoma League for Historic Preservation is a non-profit organization with the mission to honor and preserve the history and charm of Sonoma Valley. Every 10 years the league organizes historic surveys. With a grid over the valley, a group of volunteers document those buildings listed as historic and verify which are not. The organization is housed at the Heritage Center and with its own history of 40 years is a true vestige of Sonoma.
The Sonoma TrainTown amusement park takes you back in time and offers attractions for the entire family in a 10-acre park. The most popular attraction is, of course, the 20-minute train journey that crosses bridges and trestles and passes through landscaped areas, waterfalls and historic replicas. The other train-themed rides include a ferris wheel and roller coaster. There is also a children's petting zoo. The park hosts birthday parties and other special events and general admission and parking are free. Individual tickets and packs are sold for the various attractions.
Eclectic metal sculpture and a fun, colorful sign greet you as you pass through a gate and into the Red Wolf's front yard. Inside there are bright paintings and prints by local artists, principally Judy Theo and Thomas Patrick. You can also find some handmade jewelry for sale in the gallery. Even though the address of this art gallery is on Church Street, the entrance is on West 1st Street, down a walkway right in between Sign of the Bear Kitchenware and the Fairmont Gallery.
Beverly Prevost is one of five resident artists at the La Haye Art Center on E. Napa St. She specializes in clay art and her workspace is filled with intricate ceramics, pottery pieces and handmade vessels. Her art studio borders on the communal garden space maintained by the artists at the Center.
When she is not in her art studio, Prevost spends time as an active member of the Sonoma community and has served on the Board of Directors for the Sonoma Valley Jazz Society. She is also a founder of the Sonoma Arts Guild. She enjoys teaching art as well, and is one of the original artists to reside at the La Haye Art Center. If you are interested in viewing her artwork, call or visit the art studio.
San Francisco Arts and Crafts is a full-service beading shop owned by Kelly Madis, a former street artist from San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. Founded in 1974, this bead shop offers a staggering array of beads from all over the world, specializing in Czech Seed Beads in 2-cut, 3-cut, Chicklettes, Bugles and 10/0 square cuts.
They also carry a large selection of vintage glass beads, silver from Thailand and Bali, stone beads, freshwater pearls and much more. Classes and Private Beading Parties available as well. Handcrafted local jewelery, beading supplies and over 30 original seed bead mixes.
The Saret Gallery, located just off the Sonoma Park Plaza, specializes in fine art photography and offers rotating exhibits year round. The gallery's owner, Amy Saret, has maintained the gallery at this location for 10 years and has 29 years under her belt with a previous gallery in Palo Alto. Amy's friendship with Ansel Adams has inspired her dedicated focus on displaying contemporary artwork in her gallery. The gallery is well-regarded for its contemporary and vintage photography with collectible pieces for sale.