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Your Guide to Sonoma County’s 12 Best Local Art Installations

Written by: Somo
Published on: August 10, 2022

Your Guide to Sonoma County’s 12 Best Local Art Installations

art in Sonoma County

With more than two dozen performing art companies, a ton of music and performance venues, and more than 100 museums and galleries, art in all forms is abundant in Sonoma County.

But it doesn’t stop there. You can find incredible works of art hidden in plain sight at wineries, on walkways and streets, and on murals all throughout the area.

If you want to get out and see some of the most incredible public art installations Sonoma County has to offer, this list is a great place to start.

Paradise Ridge Winery

Paradise Ridge Winery

Location: 4545 Thomas Lake Harris Drive, Santa Rosa, CA

The newest outdoor sculpture exhibit at Santa Rosa’s Paradise Ridge Winery, titled Momentum, boasts beautiful kinetic works, each of which moves in some capacity, powered by sun, wind, or human interaction.

Curated by the Voigt Family Sculpture Foundation, this exhibit features pieces by local artists—of whom four of five currently live and work in Sonoma County—and will be in place through the summer of 2024.

Foss Creek Pathway

FOSS CREEK PATHWAY

Location: Healdsburg Avenue and Grant Street, Healdsburg, CA

Another incredible installation from the Voigt Family Sculpture Foundation is the Foss Creek Pathway. This public art installment was first commissioned in 2006 with new works being installed over the years as new sections of the pathway are constructed.

The Healdsburg Community Center offers a free audio tour to enjoy while strolling along the path and enjoying the various installations.

SOMO Village

 Somo-Living-1400-Valley

Location: 1400 Valley House Dr, Rohnert Park, CA

Throughout the entirety of our community, you’ll find incredible works of art from talented local artists like Katy Boynton, Bryan Tedrick, Ellen Blakeley, Francesco Echo, Kellie Gillespie, Michelle Carnes, Briona Hendren, Warren Hedgpeth, Kris Perry, and Joel Dean Stockdilla and Yustina Salnikova. From visual art to ceramics and sculptures, you’ll find art at SOMO Village to engage your senses.

Cloverdale Sculpture Trail

Cloverdale Performing Arts

Location: Along N Cloverdale Boulevard, Downtown Cloverdale, CA

Explore Cloverdale’s quaint downtown and enjoy a wide array of inspiring public art. The streets are lined with playful, quirky, and expressive sculptures. This exhibit is free to the public and situated within an easily walkable area.

Florence Avenue Sculpture Tour

Florence Avenue Sculpture Tour

Location: Florence Avenue (3 blocks), Sebastopol, CA

One person’s trash is another’s treasure. And that’s the spirit at this free art walk in Sebastopol which is full of “trashy works” made by husband-wife duo Patrick Amiot and Brigitte Laurent. They craft sculptures from old objects and trash, such as car parts, cookware, aluminum cans, and more. Take a walk down Florence street and you’ll see their art lining nearly every front lawn and business.

The Donum Estate

The Donum Estate sculpture collections

Location: 24500 Ramal Road, Sonoma, CA

The Donum Estate boasts one of the world’s largest private sculpture collections. There are more than 50 unique and beautiful works, including open-air sculptures, around the 200-acre estate.
To visit the estate, you can book a guided wine tasting. They offer a variety of options and reservations are required. After sampling some of their fine wines, you can view the art exhibits with a guided audio tour of the artists discussing their work.

di Rosa Art

di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art

Location: 5200 Sonoma Highway, Napa, CA

di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art spans 217 scenic acres in Napa Valley. This art installation is protected under the Napa Country Land Trust so that the public can enjoy it in perpetuity.
The art park features both permanent collections and temporary exhibits by local artists. The art gallery, open-air exhibits, educational programs, galleries, and surrounding nature spaces are included with the purchase of an admission ticket.

Bryan Tedrick Art

Bryan Tedrick Art

Location: Multiple locations in and around Santa Rosa (view the sculpture map here).

Artist and sculptor Bryan Tedrick is perhaps best known for his commissions for Burning Man in Reno, Nevada. But he’s brought his big, bold style to many public art exhibits throughout the country, including in Santa Rosa.

Bryan’s sculptures are large and are typically made with steel and other durable materials. He believes that art should be spontaneous, whimsical, and inspired by emotions and character.
And in that spirit, they’re captivating and awe-inspiring works.

Geyserville Community Foundation

Geyserville Community Foundation

Location: Geyserville Avenue at Highway 101; take Exit 128 when going North

Take a scenic drive through Geyserville and enjoy the public art display, boasting an incredible assortment of sculptures, as you make your way through town. Since it began in 2011, Geyserville Community Foundation has hosted nearly 250 sculptures by 80 artists.

This free art installation is part of the community’s goal to beautify their town with art and community projects.

The Mural Project

The Mural Project

Location: Sebastopol Road, Roseland, CA

The Mural Project is busy at work bringing color and life to the streets of Roseland during the first-ever Mural Festival in 2022. Cruise down Sebastopol Road to see the bold, vibrant, and creative street murals lining the way.

This non-profit initiative is designed to discover untapped artistic talent in the community. It’s a way for artists to beautify the community while building opportunities in art as a profession.

The City of Santa Rosa Public Art Program

The City of Santa Rosa Public Art Program

Location: Throughout Santa Rosa (current projects list here)

There’s a lot of art to explore in Santa Rosa! The Art in Public Places Committee (AAPC) of Santa Rosa advises and directs the city on new installations as well as the placement and maintenance of artwork.

There are a variety of public art projects throughout the city, including installations at Coffey Park, Depot Park, Old Courthouse Square, and Fifth Street Parking Garage.

Petaluma River Park

Petaluma River Park

Location: Entrance at 300 Copeland Street, Petaluma, CA

This new all-access trail along Petaluma River Park is not open to the public yet but is currently in development. The vision is to create a space where art and nature connect. Petaluma River Park will host exhibitions, performances, and rotating outdoor art installations.

Keep an eye out for opening dates. You won’t want to miss it.

Sonoma State University Art Gallery

Sonoma State University Art Gallery

Location: 1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park, CA

The on-campus art gallery at Sonoma State University opened back in 1978. They’ve hosted numerous exhibitions in the 2,500-square-foot gallery, ranging from multimedia works to traditional styles to experimental installations. They also feature faculty and student exhibitions each year.

Admission to the art gallery is free, but it is only open during certain times of the year—check the website for current dates and exhibits. While you’re visiting the art gallery, wander through the campus grounds, as there are other public art installations there.

Our vibrants arts community is one of the most unique and beloved aspects of Sonoma County. And that’s why SOMO Village features incredible works of art from local artists.

If you’re interested seeing them for yourself, we invite you to come to visit SOMO Village. And if you’re interested in learning how you can call SOMO Village home.