Connecting the arts, fostering collaboration and building community.
 
Calendar courtesy of The Dirt.
 
There are several other great resources for finding arts and culture events, exhibits, performances, and other creative activities in the Davis area:

Davis Enterprise | UC Davis Arts & Entertainment | YoloArts | Visit Yolo
 

All Day

Gallery 1855: Margaret Eldred

Davis Cemetery 820 Pole Line Road, Davis

JAN 3 THRU JAN 31. DAVIS CEMETERY. “Miscellany of Trees” presents the diversity of California’s trees using a variety of mediums & techniques.  Eldred concentrates on natives–oaks as well as willows, buckeyes, manzanitas, pines & more. Reception Jan 13, 1p–2p. Gallery open Mon-Fri, 8a–3p.

Free

From Concept to Creation: Inspired Shoe Design by Chris Francis

University of California Davis Davis

JAN 23 THRU APR 23. UC DAVIS DESIGN MUSEUM. Showcases the colorful & imaginative footwear created by Los Angeles-based shoe designer Chris Francis. His work combines global shoemaking traditions & techniques, with references to the built environment such as industrial design & brutalist architecture as well as 20th-century art movements & punk rock. Opening reception Jan 24 @ 6:30p. Gallery open weekdays, 12p–4p. Free

free
Ongoing

Myrtle Press Prints: Portfolio x 2

Pence Gallery (Pence) 212 D St., Davis

Sampling of prints made through various processes marks the debut display of Myrtle Press’ invitational print exchanges in our region.

Free

Tiny Show

Pence Gallery (Pence) 212 D St., Davis

JAN 6 THRU FEB 26. PENCE GALLERY. Features “tiny” works of art—modest-sized pieces limited to 5” x 7”. Various local & regional artists were invited to display their small but spectacular creations, including Valentina Arenas, Tamsen Armstrong, Karen Burns, Deziree Dizon, Jim Darke, and Amy Vidra, among many others. Their works are personal, intimate & brimming with the tiniest of details. Tues-Sun, 11:30a–5p. Closed Mondays. ArtAbout reception.

Free

The Elusive Muse: New Work by Kelley Mogilka

Pence Gallery (Pence) 212 D St., Davis

THRU FEB 3. PENCE GALLERY. Figurative paintings & drawings centering on capturing the elusive muse, a creative force that flows from brush to canvas. Mogilka was the recipient of the Pence Gallery’s Emerging Artist Award in 2022. ArtAbout Reception.

Free

Steven Higgins: New Paintings Exhibition

John Natsoulas Center for the Arts 521 1st St., Davis

JAN 11 THRU FEB 25. JOHN NATSOULAS CENTER FOR THE ARTS. A Sacramento based artist, Higgins’ Impressionistic works draw viewers in through bright colors and exciting textures.

Mark Bulwinkle: A Retrospective Exhibition

John Natsoulas Center for the Arts 521 1st St., Davis

JAN 11 THRU FEB 26. JOHN NATSOULAS CENTER FOR THE ARTS. Showcases Bulwinkle’s mastery of color & form in both two & three dimensions throughout the last 5 decades. On display are a selection of his woodcuts & screen prints, including several from his time at the SF Art Institute. Bulwinkle’s flamboyant ceramic works from graduate school will also be featured, as well as papier-mache works that once decorated the walls of his iconic Manilla St. House, a towering steel assemblage sculpture built around a modest townhouse that became a landmark in Oakland from 1975–1991. Recent cut-steel works painted with colorful enamel will also be featured. In addition, Natsoulas presents “Freedumb,” a new 18-foot steel piece by Bulwinkle, installed on the gallery façade. Reception Jan. 13, 7p.

Explorit Rocks! Weekend Activity

Explorit Science Center (Explorit) 3141 5th St.

EXPLORIT SCI CTR. Visit Explorit Rocks! an exhibit about rocks, fossils & crystals. A fun science activity or craft is included with admission every weekend. Enjoy a beautiful pollinator garden & the surrounding Mace Ranch Park. 10a–2p. Free for under 2 yrs/General $5

$2 – $5

Patricia Carpenter’s Seasonal Winter Ramble (RSVP Only)

Patricia Carpenter Garden Pierce Ranch Rd, Davis

Patricia Carpenter’s Seasonal Winter Ramble Register here for the event You are invited to enjoy Patricia’s native garden on a typical winter day.  The garden, a secluded 1-acre wild escape on the slough, is located west of Davis.   Started in 2005, it now features about 400...

Building Community Ferment

Mary L. Stephens Davis Branch Library 315 East 14th Street

STEPHENS DAVIS BRANCH LIBRARY. Learn the simple art of preserving vegetables through bacterial collaboration. All ages welcome. No reservations required. Sponsored by the Friends of the Davis Public Library. 1p–5p, Free

Cabaret

Davis Musical Theatre Co. (DMTC) 607 Pena Dr.

In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920’s draw to a close, a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret. With the Emcee’s bawdy songs as wry commentary, Cabaret explores the dark, heady, and tumultuous life of Berlin’s natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich. Every Fri & Sat @ 7:30p. Every Sun @2p. $14-18

$14 – $18

Manetti Shrem Museum Winter Season Celebration

Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art at UC Davis 254 Old Davis Road, Davis

MANETTI SHREM MUSEUM. Celebrate the museum’s new season & Professor Emeritus Mike Henderson’s return to campus with the public opening of Mike Henderson: Before the Fire, 1965–1985. Led by UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May, the homecoming festivities honor Henderson’s contributions to painting, film, music & teaching & feature a special conversation between the artist & Chancellor May. View the winter exhibitions. 2:30p–5p, Featured talk 3:30p. Free

Free

Just Play: Pickup Soccer Sundays

Nugget Fields 1801 Moore Blvd, Davis

NUGGET FIELDS. Any youth player is invited to join this winter for pick up soccer Sunday afternoons at Nugget Fields! You bring shin guards, cleats, and water. We’ll have pinnies, goals, and balls out. If you are not an AYSO player (United, Core, or Select/Alliance), a parent will need to sign a waiver form. These events are best for U10-U19 aged players. 3p–4:30p, Free

free

Popovich Comedy Pet Theatre

Veterans Memorial Center Multipurpose Room, 203 E. 14th Street, Davis

Voted “Best Family Show in Las Vegas,” Popovich Comedy Pet Theater features a unique blend of physical comedy and award-winning juggling skills by former Circus veteran and “America’s Got Talent” finalist Gregory Popovich, alongside the extraordinary talents of his performing pets! Trained using positive reinforcement techniques that enhance their natural abilities, his entourage consists of more than 30 rescue animals including cats, dogs, geese, ponies, goats and parrots. Come see the show that audiences are calling better than Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey combined!