We expanded our gallery to two floors! Our kick-off exhibit this year is from Saturday, April 5 through 13, 2008. Actually, it's 3 shows in one!

During these eight days our first floor will have an exhibit of “Petaluma’s Past, Present & Future” – a combination of two collections of art by Petaluma youths, ages 7 to 18. One collection of 34 artworks was a contest held by the Petaluma Arts Association for the City of Petaluma's Sesquicentennial, some of the art is for sale (all funds go to the artist) and their art is included in "Celebrating Petaluma" so they will be autographing the book at their reception on April 5th. The second exhibit will be art collected by Aurora Colors and Kathryn Graham Wilson, a local artist and instructor, owner of Cats & Dragons Studio (submission deadlines are March 1-3.) This is not a contest and the art is not for sale. Again, these two youth shows will have their reception on opening day, April 5th, from 1 to 4pm. You will find our entry form for Aurora Color's call for art in our Art Gallery menu > Shows & Entry Forms or it may be picked up at our shop, Aurora Colors Glass Art Center.

“Meet the Artists Celebrating Petaluma” will be the third show, exhibited on both floors and the mezzanine will be exclusively exhibiting this show.  By the time this show opens on April 5th, our gallery will be at our entrance on the main floor and will extend to the mezzanine overlooking the main gallery floor. This is a collection of art for sale and when historical, for exhibit only, of the art in Petaluma's commemorative book "Celebrating Petaluma" (in which I, Vangie Pullins, am proud to be the author of the chapter on our train depot and railroad.) If you haven’t seen the book, it is absolutely beautiful. Of course the 224 page, coffee table book will be available for sale at all times and especially during the two receptions, April 5 from 1pm to 4pm for the youth exhibits and April 12 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm for the adult exhibit.  If you already have a book, bring it for autographs. The book may be purchased at various locations in town as well as at Aurora Colors and on our website. Click here to purchase online - "Celebrating Petaluma."

FUNDRAISER!
April 12, 2008 is Petaluma’s actual ‘birthday’ and the date of our reception from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. This “Meet the Artists Celebrating Petaluma” exhibit from April 5 through 13 is a fundraiser hosted by and located at Aurora Colors Gallery in coordination with Petaluma’s Sesquicentennial Steering Committee Members:  Terry Smith/Petaluma Post & Visitors Program Chair, Tom Corbett/Yacht Club, Jessica Vann Gardner/Petaluma Visitors Program, and Jan Mandrell/City of Petaluma Parks & Recreation Department & Petaluma Community Center.

The Sesquicentennial Committee has been working hard along with many other volunteers to create a Community Event, dubbed “SesquiFest” on July 4th at the fairgrounds. Aurora Colors will be providing art activities for kids in the fairground's Beverly Wilson building that day. Many, many people and organizations are donating and volunteering, but of course,there are many remaining expenses for projects and promotion. Book sales are one way we are earning funds and this art exhibit will be a second source of funds.

Vine and Barrel is a sponsor, providing/arranging for the wine for our reception. Announcements/invitations will encourage attendees to dress in period style clothing dating from 1858 to the 1920s – a fine way to add to the ambiance of our Victorian style building known as the Old Petaluma Opera House. Our ancestors would be proud.

Book signing and reception hosted by the Sheraton Hotel is on February 22nd from 5pm to 8pm.