.Trio of Sonoma Art Shows Celebrate Local Talent

This summer, several artistic exhibitions in Sonoma present West Coast and North Bay-based artists working in a variety of mediums.

This year, wine country marketplace Cornerstone Sonoma partners with Oakland-based SLATE Contemporary to feature a series of three art exhibitions that will run eight-weeks each through December 2021.  

Currently on display, “Summer Color by SLATE @ Cornerstone”–the first show in the series–features contemporary paintings, prints, and sculpture from West Coast artists Suzanne Frazier, Bean Finneran, Juan-Alonso Rodrigez, Tobias Toveras and Kate Zimmer.

Each artist is inspired by nature in their abstract artworks. Suzanne Frazier’s circular flower paintings and prints are derived from the colors of individual pixels from her digital flower photographs. Tobias Tovera’s compositions are inspired by coastal topography, tidal patterns and geodes. Juan Alonso-Rodriguez’s color field paintings are inspired by gazing at the horizon across the sea. Kate Zimmer’s colorful paintings refer both to the Bay Area and to the artist’s native Midwest. Sculptor Bean Finneran creates forms and abstract shapes from clay that evoke natural forms such as sea anemones, coral reefs, haystacks and wind-blown grasses.

“Summer Color” can be viewed through August 29. Fridays to Sundays, 11am to 5pm, or Mondays to Thursdays by appointment, at 23570 Arnold Drive, Sonoma. Cornerstonesonoma.com/events.

Opening on Thursday, Aug. 5, the Sonoma Community Center presents five North Bay fiber artists using traditional techniques to create unconventional works in “Stitches: Outside the Lines.”

“Stitching has long been associated with mending or sewing a garment, so to see the immense range and creativity of our featured artists in the upcoming exhibit is inspiring,” Eric Jackson, Creative Programs Manager of Sonoma Community Center, says in a statement.

The five featured artists are Frances Arnold, Lori Goldman, Emily Marks, Janet McBeen and Hella Merrill. The artists all work in embroidery, crochet, knitting, twisting and weaving; and they specialize in creating repetitive patterns, applying one material on another and using unusual and unexpected materials.

“Stitches: Outside the Lines” opens with a reception and artist talk on Aug. 5, at the Sonoma Community Center’s Gallery 212, 276 East Napa Street, Sonoma. 5:30pm. Free. Sonomacommunitycenter.org.

Up next, the Arts Guild of Sonoma is opening a two-month exhibition in which 23 artist members present their art through August and September.

Those artist members include nationally and internationally recognized veteran mixed media artist Kirk Hinshaw and prolific watercolor artist Irene Ehret; both of whom were recently honored alongside Roberta Alexander with Lifetime Memberships to the Arts Guild of Sonoma.

The Arts Guild’s member showcase opens with a reception on Saturday, Aug 7, at 140 East Napa Street, Sonoma. 5pm. Free. Artsguildofsonoma.org.

Charlie Swanson
Charlie Swanson is a North Bay native and an arts and music writer and editor who has covered the local scene since 2014.
spot_img
North Bay Bohemian E-edition North Bay Bohemian E-edition