I stumbled across the display window of this non-profit store while venturing around downtown's…read moreantique faire on April 17th. AWOL (Art without Labels) is a collective of artists with developmental disabilities who meet to celebrate in daily acts of creation. There were art works displayed in the store featuring: painted canvases sock dogs adorned with colorful fabrics shirts embroidered bags housewares This is a retail branch founded by Lorin Kaufman and Julia Macdougall in 1998. HOURS: M through Thus -11-3pm Friday 11-7pm Sat and Sun 12-5pm Call first for changing hours.

This is a great little gem in downtown Petaluma. It is an art studio, but all the art is created in…read morehouse by adults with disabilities. The artwork is amazing and the storefront is decorated with unique and unusual art. Definitely worth checking out and saying hello to the artists!

This local, LGBTQ-owned art studio isn't just a place to make things--it's a space that makes you…read morefeel something. There's no pressure to be perfect here. Whether you're painting for the first time or you've been sketching since grade school, the vibe is the same: open, affirming, and wildly fun. This studio is quickly becoming known for its hands-on workshops, unexpected installations, and one-of-a-kind art shows that spotlight bold local artists. But what really sets this space apart is the feeling. It's welcoming in a way that feels real. Safe in a way that makes you want to take risks. Slough City Studios reminds you why art matters--not just as expression, but as connection. Come here for a messy craft night, a gallery show, or just to soak in the atmosphere, you'll walk out a little lighter, a little braver, and probably with some paint and glitter on your hands and face.

I was so curious about all of these metal sculptures around town so a friend and I parked on one…read moreend of Florence Avenue and casually walked up and down the street. What imagination and creativity! I loved photographing each one. There was one house with tons of artwork. The entire front yard is adorned with them and I wondered if this is where the artist lives. Sure enough there were pamphlets near the sidewalk and that's when I learned that the artist is Patrick Amiot. His spouse, Brigitte Laurent, paints his works of art. He calls his creations Urban Folk Art. Some are quite huge but all are very unique and original. What an entertaining way to reuse metal. For feathers and scales, we noticed he layers flat jar lids and they look amazing after they've been painted. My favorite was (Buster) Posey and the two owls but there were so many we both loved. I drive up this street regularly but it is definitely worth it to park and take a closer look. Florence Avenue is like the artist's outdoor studio. It's a manageable and worthwhile leisurely stroll. You will see other metal sculptures around town by this artist and I happened to know that Mom's Apple Pie on Gravenstein Highway has one now too so I included a photo of it. Such fun whimsical creations!

Such a fun stop! Loved walking through to see them all! The street had plenty of parking.read more

This is a great community center, complete with coffee, tea, juice and personable staff. They host…read moremany events to educate or promote discussion on progressive politics. The only thing that bothered me is their irrational decision-making process. The acoustics in the building are so atrocious that, if there's music in one event room, people can't hear the speaker or each other in the other gathering room. So I found some clean, undamaged foam boards and asked whether they'd like them. They said yes, and I brought them in to cover the glass door to one of the rooms. Then someone they'd known longer came along and opined that SEEING styrofoam would cause people to buy it, and they threw it into the dumpster. So now they still have rotten sound, and those foam boards will be leaching toxins into the ground until Earth falls back into the sun.

I love the Healing Sanctuary they have there once a month. The Sound Table is truly a work of…read moregenius.

Have attended quite a few concerts. both inside and during the summer on the lawn. Inside the…read moreaccoustics are amazing. Lyle Lovett called the center the "Matchstick Palace" refering to the amount of wood used inside including the chairs. During the summer, there are two entrances to the venue which make it easy to enter from either parking areas. Security staff are friendly and keep the lines moving. Ushers are posted all around the venue inside and out, which makes it easy to locate if you have questions or an emergency. We sit at reserved tables on the tiered lawn just behind the open wall of the center and find it very comfortable. There is a big screen to see the performers and plenty of speakers to hear. There is even a fenced in area just beyond the theater to dance. There are plenty of food trucks and tables to purchase food and drink as well. And of course, behind the lawn is a "real" bathroom to use, nice and clean and convenient!

The worst music venue in Northern California…read more First the ticketing system went down when I tried to buy tickets. Would let you luck seats but not proces billing. Had to file a support ticket. An hour later the system came back online - though lost my place in line. Nice one. Still managed to get some nice seats on the lawn. Parking Ingress is terrible. One lane into the lot. Zero traffic management =massive traffic delays. Event ingress is similarly poor. Untrained staff, disorganized entry. Massive delays as they enact security theater on thousands. I'm due there were people on line who would miss the entire first act while trying to get in. Food/drink lines similarly screwed up. Card readers not working, slow service, very slow throughput. No excuse for this level of service. After wet make it to our table at the front of the lawn we discover the band is in there at far end of the building - at least 150ft away!.Cannot even see the stage. This odd at concert - you are music going to watching it in projection. Nobody inside either. Just put the simmer stage at the back of the billing and make it an outdoor theater- not this idiotic double venue. Ungodly loud. Hitting over 120db on spl! Gen sorry for folks without hearing protection- this will cause hearing damage. Nice sound system, but irresponsibly loud. First class venue with third-world event management. It'sa real shame, this place could be incredible if someone who knew how to manage events took over. Take a clue and study how the Greek Amphitheaters in Berkeley does things. Maybe it's just an I'm too old/it's too loud thing. Or maybe SSU of running the potential of this resource with such tremendous potential. Truly disappointing...

This gallery is located Santa Rosa, so the location itself is a piece of art. If you ever have the…read moreopportunity to visit the gallery, do so. Sande Schlumberger has put together a beautiful and varied collection of art from the past and present, and it's all housed in a unique space that really lets you get a sense of the art in a living environment. She has a great eye for pieces that are not just pleasing to the senses, but that tend to be investment worthy as well. This is not a walk-in gallery, so call ahead and tell her that Nish sent you!

Calabi Gallery is one in a million. In a sea of mediocre and soulless art pimps, this guy is an…read moreangel and a true patron. He has the most eclectic and ahead-of-the-times artists represented- the kind of thing you buy for a song now and others pay top dollar for in another few years when they catch up. This is more than a gallery. It's obvious when you walk in that this is a man who loves the work and just wants his clients to love it too. He's a conservator by trade and knows so much more about the work than any curator or dealer. Bottom line: this place and it's people have soul!

I feel like I'm as old as the legendary Phoenix Theatre, which was apparently built in 1904. I saw…read morequite a few shows here back in my teenage years in the late 1990s...mainly rock, alternative, ska bands whom are mostly unknown and have long since disbanded...but I did see some awesome bands that were nobodies whom later became famous like Goldfinger, Agent 51 and Mighty Mighty Bosstones. I spontaneously dropped in again last weekend on whim...the theater is still old and run down, old furniture, peeling paint, worn and creaky wooden floorbut felt like home. Some loudass punk rock bands were playing, old furniture, peeling paint, worn creaky wooden floors...and an audience that was mix of teenagers and old, ugly, aging, Gen Xers such as myself, and inbetween. $13 for 3 bands...that's a deal. I just wish they sold alcohol.

I'm from Southern California so don't have a personal relationship with the history of this place,…read morewhich I hear is impressive. It's a mystery what has happened to it. Anyone who is not an adolescent will likely be running the other way from the lack of upkeep in this sadly aging ghost of a venue. The strong and enduring smell of urine is unacceptable by any business standards. This spot has that New York abandoned apartment building turned makeshift heroin crash pad feel to it, and unfortunately, not in a good way. It seems to serve some kind of purpose for goth and punk teenagers and their beloved skateboards which is sweet and added a star to this review, but I think that they too deserve a better cleaning crew. No alcohol, but you can buy a bag of chips or a Snickers bar from the dude at the front.