Off the Plaza is suddenly the in-place to be, as proven by the hoopla over the return of Williams-Sonoma on Broadway and the momentum surrounding the sparkling cultural gem known as Studio 35.
Opening quietly three months ago at 35 Patten St., and relying on word of mouth to spread the news of its innovative combination of art for sale and art classes for anyone with the slightest inkling towards becoming more creative, Studio 35 is catching on. It’s a gathering place almost every Friday evening, as the resident artists make presentations and give demonstrations about the art they love.
Believing that everyone is an artist in their own way, Studio 35 founders Scott Palmer and Robert Coury encourage innovation.
The studio is now a commercially zoned property, but it was once a private home built in the 1920s, with the charm of crown molding and the original hardwood floors. In back, there is a beautiful lawn and garden area, lorded over by a magnificent magnolia tree they’ve named Maggie and adorned with lantern lights for artists who chose to have get-togethers outside.
A breezeway links the gallery to the workshop, called The Zone, where classes are held. There is also a wood-roofed area in the back, The Barn, where larger scale or messy projects take place, like a recent class where students used mops to paint on paper placed on the ground. To give a taste, here are the titles of a few the classes: Satsang Self Inquiry, Beginning Oil Painting, Zen Brush with a Twist and Spray Applique Overlay. Anastatia Chiurco of Steel Geisha Designs is even offering a class in blacksmithing and welding.
There’s a drop-in class every Tuesday called Cracking Open Your Creative Genius. Instructor Gina Roman lists the prerequisites as “none needed,” and the requirements as “participate with all your being,” “bring 100 percent openness” and “have fun.”
There are currently 25 artists showing their work, including Judy Theo, who for many years sold her work at a gallery on the Plaza. For her artist’s evening, she chose to put on a one-woman play, and those who missed it are nudging her for a repeat performance. Artist Tamara Sanchez offers original acrylics of cupcakes, hearts and crows for less than $200. Prices overall at Studio 35 range from $40 for prints into the thousands.
Coury shows his own work at the gallery, as well as partnering with Palmer to run the day-to-day operations. His fascinating work entitled “The Landscape of Stone” features abstract painting inspired by the surfaces of rocks he’s collected on the Sonoma coast. The rock inspiring each piece is on display in a box below the paintings, including a light and magnifying glass for close inspection. When you purchase a painting, the rock that inspired it goes with it.
Palmer was until very recently a practicing periodontist in Sonoma for 15 years, having purchased the gallery property in 2002 and leasing it out until now. Entering this whole new endeavor, the early-retired doctor, who sails on San Francisco Bay for fun, is now taking the oil painting classes offered at the gallery, while coming up with ideas for new workshops and viewing the work of artists to potentially show at Studio 35 in the future.
“This is about giving people a comfortable place to be creative,” Palmer said. With only a couple of exceptions, all of the artists showing are from Sonoma County. They have even reached out to Sonoma Valley High School to feature student artists, which resulted in Pedro Garcia selling his first piece ever.
One-time SVHS student Brian Martinelli, now out of college and with his own studio, is showing several pieces of his sculpture.
“What makes us a little different is we want to work with the community,” Coury said. “We’d like to have something happening here everyday.”
They are not worried about a lack of foot traffic, lauding the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau and friends with businesses on the Plaza, like Eminent Design and The Corner Store, for sending folks in their direction.
Palmer and Coury are brimming with ideas, including offering classes for kids in the future. They are always on the lookout for artists and instructors, and they are dedicated to the idea of opening everyone up to art. “You don’t have to be an artist. You just have to let go and be willing to create,” Coury said.
Learn more at studio35sonoma.com or follow on Instagram and Facebook.
UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: