Art Walk Sonoma returns for 2019

Monthly downtown event to relaunch on March 7.|

After a successful trial run in late 2018, a collaboration of numerous art and business organizations has announced that the Sonoma Art Walk is returning for 2019. The monthly event series pairing creative artists with local businesses and nonprofits in downtown Sonoma will continue indefinitely, say event organizers.

“We were very encouraged by the success of the limited run in fall of last year,” said Mark Bodenhamer, CEO of the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce, in a press release announcing the relaunch. The Chamber was one of the organizations that created the program. “Our expectations were easily surpassed by both the number of participating venues and the amount of people who showed up to support the Art Walk. There is a tremendous appetite for this kind of cultural programming in Sonoma and we’re excited to continue producing the event.”

The 2019 series will begin on March 7, and continue the first Thursday of each month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at locations throughout Sonoma. The event features a rotating “kickoff gathering” from 5 to 5:30 p.m. at one of the participating venues. The March Kickoff will be held at the Arts Guild of Sonoma, 140 E. Napa St.

More than 25 venues have signed up to participate currently with more in the process of working out the details. Current participants include Adastra Wines, Alley Gallery, Artifax, Arts Guild of Sonoma, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate, Bump Wine Cellars, Chappellet Grower Collection, Fairmont Gallery, H Frank, Jeff Cohn Cellars, LaHaye Art Center, Lake Sonoma Winery, Lisa Kristine Gallery, Murphy’s Irish Pub, Rancho Maria Wines, Scott Lyall Clothing for Men, Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma Wine Shop & La Bodega, Sotheby’s Realty, The Passdoor, Terra Firma Gallery and The Frame Factory.

The creative artists range from painters and other fine artists to more interactive demonstrations such as music, poetry or special culinary arts.

“It’s exciting and rewarding to see this program succeed,” added Linda Keaton, executive director of the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art. “There has always been a great appreciation for art in Sonoma Valley but it’s great to see programs like this expand the awareness and appreciation for the Sonoma creative community.”

The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art is just one of many organizations that collaborate on the project including the Chamber, the City of Sonoma, the Arts Guild, Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma Visitors Bureau and others. The Art Walk received grants from Creative Sonoma and the Sonoma Tourism Improvement District, which will be used to assist with marketing the art walks.

The 2019 Sonoma Art Walk will officially kick off with a ceremonial ribbon cutting March 7 at 5:15 p.m. at the Arts Guild of Sonoma. For more information including an interactive map and list of participating venues, visit SonomaArtWalk.org.

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