While the Museum of Sonoma County has closed its gallery space in downtown Santa Rosa to the public due to Covid-19, the museum–a longtime Sonoma County cultural cornerstone–is continuing to engage to community with virtual exhibits and programs.

This month, with the holidays on the horizon, the Museum of Sonoma County unveils two virtual exhibitions displaying local talent; “35: Thirty-Five Artists for Thirty-Five Years” and “Artistry in Wood.”

Originally scheduled to open in-person on December 12, both exhibitions will open to museum members in an exclusive virtual art reception on Wednesday, Dec. 9. Following that, both exhibits will be available for the public to view on the museum’s website beginning Dec. 22.

As the title implies, “35: Thirty-Five Artists for Thirty-Five Years” is a retrospective exhibit celebrating the Museum of Sonoma County’s 35-year anniversary in 2020 with a selection of artworks from the museum’s permanent collection. Founded in 1985, the museum has collected art and historical items with a focus on Sonoma County and the North Bay.

Now the largest comprehensive overview of the history, art, and culture of the region, the museum’s collection features works on paper, photographs, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, and crafts that span from the 19th to the 21st Century. With this in mind, the artworks selected for “35” explore a broad range of media and styles and the exhibit showcases art that depicts the local landscape and the environment, as well as art that offers social commentary and other recurring local interests.

“Museum of Sonoma County’s collection has grown because of the support of collectors, artists, and donors, and we are grateful for their generosity,” says Jeff Nathanson, Executive Director and art curator for the museum. “We are proud of the art we have accessioned to date, and are pleased to share this sampling with the public. We hope these excellent works provoke inspiration, conversation, and creativity.”

Nathanson and the museum also acknowledge that the museum’s permanent collection is in need of broader community representation, and Nathanson is refocusing the collection’s priorities with a keen eye on works by artists of all genders and artists of color to ensure that all members of the community will see themselves reflected in the collection.

For more than 30 of the museum’s 35 years of operation, the Sonoma County Woodworkers Association (SCWA) has collaborated with the museum to present an annual, juried showcase of fine regional woodwork in the “Artistry in Wood” exhibition.

“Artistry in Wood” annually pushes the boundaries of what wood can do as an artistic medium. Additionally, the exhibition educates the public on historical and regional woodworking influences, such as the distinctive woodworking program at The Krenov School at Mendocino College in Fort Bragg.

This year’s virtual version of the exhibit continues the woodworking traditions of the long running show, featuring new and previously completed works crafted by fine regional woodworkers who are affiliated with the Sonoma County Woodworkers Association.

The virtual members-only art reception for “35: Thirty-Five Artists for Thirty-Five Years” and “Artistry in Wood” happens Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 7pm. Both shows open to the public virtually on Dec. 22. Other virtual programs will be added shortly. Museumsc.org.

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to make in-person gatherings a tricky endeavor in the North Bay, several local events boasting music, art, literature and other delights are happening online this week. Here’s a round up of what’s worth looking forward to.

Virtual Celebration
On the southern edge of the Point Reyes National Seashore, a community of care givers and conservationists have come together to create Commonweal, an organization dedicated to health, art, education, the environment and justice. Each winter, the community comes together for a festive celebration, though this year’s annual gathering will be “Joining Hands Virtually” with an online event featuring a short video featuring images of the local land, keynote speakers, music and optional small group conversations. “Joining Hands Virtually: Our Commonweal Winter Celebration” takes place on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 5:30pm. Festive dress encouraged. Free, donations welcome. Commonweal.org.

Virtual Concert
Festival Napa Valley, the world-class summertime food and wine festival, has been producing online content and at-home experiences since canceling its in-person events this year. Over 1 million households in more than 50 countries around the globe viewed Festival Napa Valley’s inaugural virtual concert, “One Night, Many Voices,” last month. Now, Festival Napa Valley presents “Songs of Gratitude,” a virtual concert featuring performances by the likes of award-winning mezzo-soprano Kelley O’Connor, the Friction String Quartet and a vocal ensemble featuring Napa County high school students; all recorded at iconic Napa Valley venues. The virtual event streams on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 6pm. Free. Festivalnapavalley.org.

Virtual Recital
For 20 years, Marin’s volunteer Mill Valley Philharmonic has produced professional-quality orchestral programs and performed for people of all ages and means in their own communities. This year, the orchestra decided to postpone live concerts until further notice due to Covid-19, though the group has taken to virtual performances, lectures and more. Next up for the Mill Valley Philharmonic is a live-streaming “Saturday Salon” virtual recital featuring a classical program that ranges from Johann Sebastian Bach to John Williams. The musicians perform as solos and duos live from their own homes when the recital happens on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 8pm. Free. RSVP at Millvalleyphilharmonic.org.

Virtual Auction
The Sebastopol Center for the Arts has supported local artists and the community through exhibitions and educational programs for three decades. With the world in lockdown, the center’s staff knows that people need access to the arts more than ever before, and center is asking for support in offering these programs with its inaugural virtual “SebARTS Auction: Give. Believe. Inspire.” The silent and live auctions will help to fund Sebastopol Center for the Arts’ ongoing offerings, as well as the center’s new distance learning program for local school children that began in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Bid online now in the silent auction and tune in to see local celebrity Ziggly Eschliman lead a live virtual auction on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 5pm. Register at Sebarts.org.

Virtual Class
There’s no better way to appreciate the Laguna de Santa Rosa than to embark on a kayak adventure through the watershed. However, due to the Laguna’s unpredictable nature, it can be difficult to plan a successful trip. Not only does the water level of the Laguna drastically change, its many routes can make it a maze for the uninitiated. That’s why Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation’s Community Education Manager Allison Titus is hosting a “Kayaking the Laguna” webinar, sharing resources, tips and tricks for exploring the Laguna by boat on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 2pm. Free, registration required. Lagunafoundation.org.

Virtual Reading
Native Californian Obi Kaufmann is an avid explorer and writer whose books examine the state’s most precious resources. His first two books, The California Field Atlas (2017) and The State of Water (2019) presented Kaufmann’s visions of ecological preservation and restoration. Now, Kaufmann offers another bold look into California’s natural wonder in his new book, The Forests of California. The book interlaces accessible writings with Kaufmann’s watercolor maps and trail paintings to bring the state’s forests to life in the readers’ imagination. Kaufmann reads from the new book and discusses his visions in a virtual event with the Marin Art & Garden Center on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 5pm. Free, registration required. Maringarden.org.