Sonoma, Napa art museums announce 2024 exhibitions

Sonoma and Napa art museums announced incoming exhibitions for 2024 featuring unique work, artist talks, workshops and more.

The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art and the di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art will both offer new exhibits for Sonoma and Napa communities.

On Dec. 15, Sonoma Valley Museum of Art announced the incoming displays for 2024, in an effort to continue to build community around art and support underrepresented artists.

“SVMA is proud to continue bringing world-class art to our community,” said Linda Keaton, SVMA executive director.

The di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art is a nonprofit museum and nature preserve specializing in Northern California art. In a di Rosa news release, museum staff stated they’re pleased to announce the 2024 calendar of exhibitions and public programs.

Sonoma Valley Museum of Art Exhibitions:

“Tsherin Sherpa: Different Worlds,” Jan. 20-April 28

“Different Worlds” presents the works of Tsherin Sherpa, a contemporary artist from Kathmandu, Nepal. The globally renowned artist moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1998 and his pieces reflect a blend of a traditional upbringing in Nepal with a new U.S. influence on art. Tsherin’s works reflect personal experiences with the Himalayan Diaspora and intensive training as a thangka painter (traditional Buddhist art). An Opening Reception from 5 to 7 p.m. is on Jan. 27.

“Arthur Monroe: A Tow to Carry,” May 11-Sep. 8

The work of the late Arthur Monroe, an Oakland-based artist, draws from a 50-year span (1960-2011). In 1990, he said, “As a Black artist, I might have a tow to carry. I’m prepared to do that,” according to a SVMA news release. Monroe’s work reflects his travels during many major cultural movements of the midcentury and represents the cultural crossroads he took part in. These milestones include the New York School of Abstract Expressionism, the literary scene of New York’s East Village and the modern jazz and Beat circle in New York and the Bay Area.

“The Art of Juana Alicia,” Sept. 21-Jan. 5, 2025

Juana Alicia’s exhibition includes paintings, drawings, prints, books and sculptures. Though she is best known as a muralist, the exhibit will highlight her work as a multidisciplinary artist. Alicia’s pieces reflect Latin American literary movements such as magical and social realism and address issues of social justice, gender equity, environmental crisis and the power of resistance and revolution, according to the SVMA news release. She founded and directed True Colors Mural Project, which supports the development of young artists through the creation and collaboration of public murals.

The di Rosa Center for Contemporary Art Exhibitions:

Current display: “Listen Louder: Ana Teresa Fernández,” through Jan. 21, Gallery 1

San Francisco-based multidisciplinary artist Ana Teresa Fernández’s work explores the intersection of migration and climate change. Her paintings, sculptures and films presented alongside site-specific installations and performances can be experienced through Jan. 21.

Current display: “To The Max!” through Aug. 25, 2024, Gallery 2

“To the Max!” programming includes an Artist Talk with Franklin Williams, Feb. 10. Williams will discuss his career and inspiration alongside his featured work. The center’s first self-styled fashion show, “To the Max! Fashion Show,” invites guests March 2 to register and walk in their best outfit. On Aug. 26, is the “To the Max!” and “Ghost in the Machine” Curator’s Tour.

Current display: “Ghost in the Machine,” through Aug. 25, 2024, Gallery 2

“Ghost in the Machine” programming features an all-ages workshop, “It’s AI – Live!” Guests are invited to make robots on June 1,, and that month Friday nights will screen the “Ghost in the Machine,” the center’s first annual film series, in the Residence and Courtyard.

“We the People,”Jan. 27-April 21, 2024, Gallery 1

“We the People” opens Jan. 27 with a special tailgate reception as art pieces are projected on the gallery exterior. Visible from Sonoma Highway, Jock McDonald’s emotional portraits of morphing community members will highlight local connections and shared humanity. Programming includes a bring-your-own camera portrait photography workshop April 6 with McDonald.

“Lightfast: Intertwine,” Feb. 24-June 2, Gallery 1

“Lightfast: Intertwine” is a multidisciplinary installation created by visual artists Christel Dillbohner and Danae Mattes, musician/composer Monica Scott and writer Sylvia Brownrigg. It combines media to create a visual, sculptural and aural environment to heighten visitors’ awareness and surroundings.

Programming includes an opening reception and performance from Brownrigg Feb. 24, a Lightfast performance with sfSound and Hope Mohr Dance Company March 17, a reading from Brownrigg’s memoir “The Whole Staggering Mystery” April 28 and an artist-led exhibition tour May 11.

“M is for Water” June 22-Oct. 26, Gallery 1

Curated by Isabelle Sorrell, “M is for Water” brings works of Shiva Ahmadi, Mari Andrews, Mildred Howard, Prajakti Jayavant, Paul Kos, Hung Liu, Susan Middleton, Gay Outlaw, John Priola, Isabelle Sorrell and Wanxin Zhang together. These artists collectively explore the reality of life existing only with water just as children exist because of their mothers. Programming includes an Artist Panel July 13.

“Moving Images: A Survey Exhibition of Works by Deborah Oropallo,” Sept. 28 -March 30, 2025, Gallery 2

The exhibit of seminal Bay Area artist Deporah Oropallo’s work is a career retrospective featuring collage, animation and sculptural pieces. Programming includes a panel with Oropallo Oct. 5 and a Curator’s Tour Oct. 20.

di Rosa’s Biennial Juried Exhibition “True North,” Nov. 16 -March 2, 2025

di Rosa’s biennial juried exhibition will celebrate art and North Bay artists, showcasing a crop of emerging and midcareer creators. The “True North Slide Slam,” a biennial tradition in conjuction with the exhibit, returns Jan. 25, 2025.

The di Rosa Center is open from 11 a.m.to 4 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. For additional events and more information visit, dirosaart.org/.

SVMA hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, Wednesday through Sunday . General admission is $10, free for SVMA members and 18 and under. Wednesdays are free. For more information visit svma.org.

You can reach Staff Writer Emma Molloy at emma.molloy@sonomanews.com.