Sonoma's Barbara White Perry named 'Treasure Artist'

Adding the finishing touches to what is clearly a very colorful season for artist Barbara White Perry, the prolific Sonoma illustrator and local nonprofit advocate has now been named 2015’s Sonoma Treasure Artist of the Year. The news came last week, less than a month after White Perry saw the release of her well-received book of sketches, “Drawing Sonoma.” The book, a collection of 45 black-and-white illustrations – all drawn in ink and vine-charcoal, most of them sketches of historic buildings from around the Sonoma Valley - has drawn White Perry a ?surreal amount of local attention and acclaim.

“I am still having trouble with the reality of all this,” the 30-year resident of Sonoma allows. “Nothing is sinking in!”

As jarring a juxtaposition as her newfound fame might be, it likely won’t take White Perry long, as an accomplished lifelong artist, to put it all in perspective.

Each year since 1983, the city’s Cultural and Fine Arts Commission selects an artist whose body of work and service to the community are substantial, exceptional and inspiring. Nominations for the award are solicited from the community, traditionally beginning in early fall. All artistic mediums are considered, including the fine arts of painting, sculpting, crafting, performing arts such as music and theater, and even literature of various kinds. Along with the nominees’ various artistic abilities and accomplishments, their level of service to the community through other efforts is also considered. The commission then makes a choice and announces a new Sonoma Treasure in October.

Past recipients of the award include food writer M.F.K. Fisher (1984), musician Norton Buffalo (1992), rock and roll poster artist Stanley Mouse (1994), theater artist Kate Kennedy (1999), muralist Dennis Ziemienski (2011), and last year’s Sonoma Treasure Artist, found-object innovator Thena Trygstad.

“Considering the incredible artists that have received this award in the last 33 years,” says White Perry, “I feel deeply honored, and I want to thank the city of Sonoma for this tribute.”

Pointing out the importance of art as a vital and significant influence on how we see the ever-changing landscape of our community, White Perry draws on her own interest in history and architecture is using her art to celebrate the past, and comprehend the possibilities of the future.

In a statement issued by the City of Sonoma, it is not only White Perry’s artistry and example that are cited as the reason for her selection this year. Also outlined are her contributions to the community through her service on numerous charitable committees, including a three-year stint as president and chair of the Plein Air Foundation.

Making the case that artists, despite the attention they receive, are not superior to non-artists, White Perry encourages all community members to practice the fine art of volunteering.

“By supporting the Valley’s nonprofits,” she says, “we can all enrich our community in so many ways.”