PENCE GALLERY. Artist Ronald Peetz has been a stalwart part of the regional art scene since the late 1960s. As an object maker and sculptor, he delights in incorporating puns, word play, and irreverent humor into his work. Starting with his concept, he chooses any one of the many media he employs, to best make his idea come to life. In so doing, his sculpture and mixed media pieces lean heavily towards social critique and parody, blended with a lighter touch of humor and surrealism.
PENCE GALLERY. Frankie Hansbearry and Marsha Elam are Sacramento-based artists whose ceramics explore whimsical and imaginative themes. In their figurative works, reality flies out the window to reveal anthropomorphic characters, interesting faces, and tales with a twist that hold up a mirror to human nature. 11:30a—5p. Free
PENCE GALLERY. The annual Davis Art Studio Tour (DAST) returns for a fresh, springtime opening the weekend of April 12—13, from 10a—5p. This free tour is open to all and includes 45 participating visual artists, in media ranging from woodworking, ceramics, and jewelry, to painting, photography, and sculpture. Enjoy a preview exhibit of their work at our annual display at the Pence, and plan your trip! Free maps of the studios are available at the Pence as well. Please visit www.davisopenstudios.com for more information. 11:30a—5p. Free
BARN STUDIO. Bring your under 5 little ones to explore their artistic side and get messy at the Barn Studio! Every Wednesday, arts activity stations will be available for you and your mini to discover together that encourage materials exploration and develop motor skills. Advance registration encouraged. 10a—11:30a. Free
THE ARTERY. The Artery presents “The Artery Menagerie” in conjunction with CCACA, the ceramic sculpture conference at the Natsoulas Gallery. The invitational exhibit of animal sculptures features twenty eight Northern California ceramic artists. Many of these artists competed in our previous California Clay Competition. Wesley Wright, a speaker at the CCACA, is also represented in the show. Free.
GALLERY 625. As an artist, Judy turns to nature and it’s surroundings for inspiration. In her watercolor paintings, she blends layers of triumphant colors, shapes and perspective with a pointillism technique. This is how she seeks to express the joy and wonderment that a child sees with a Kaleidos of color and wondrous beauty in the smallest of details. 5:30p—8p. Free
PENCE GALLERY. Apply now to sell your work at the Pence’s Night Market on June 13! This pop-up market during the 2nd Friday ArtAbout invites young visual artists, ages 16-25, to display and sell their artwork inside the gallery, ranging from prints and paintings, to ceramics and jewelry, and more. Artists can apply at bit.ly/pencenightmarket. Deadline is May 23. Free to apply
BARN STUDIO. Bring your under 5 little ones to explore their artistic side and get messy at the Barn Studio! Every Wednesday, arts activity stations will be available for you and your mini to discover together that encourage materials exploration and develop motor skills. Advance registration encouraged. 10a—11:30a. Free
PENCE GALLERY. This group is for both experienced artists and amateurs to have an opportunity to draw from the nude model. If you have never drawn from a live model before and would like to join us, you are very welcome! People of all skill levels, ages 18 and up, are welcome and encouraged to join. 6:30p—9p. $15-22
THIRD SPACE DAVIS. (dis)continuity explores the artists’ relationship to their mixed Mexican and American roots and how they influence how the artists move through the world today. When two cultures collide, there are some things we hold on to, some things we lose, and some things we choose to change. For Elyse and Ro, what we hold on to often shows up in the food we cook, the values we uphold, the labor we perform, and the art that inspires us. The loss may sometimes happen through how our history is taught so narrowly to us in schools, by centuries of systems that forcibly suppressed cultural expression, or just by time passing and things changing. But we are also confronted with the opportunity to change, to choose how we move forward as individuals who are part of a broader cultural exchange. In this show, the artists reflect on their personal journeys of understanding their roots and how they navigate the present. 4p – 8p.
THE PENCE GALLERY. Artists for millennia have reflected upon nature as the inspiration & subject of their work. Our affiliation with animals, plants, & the wild spaces of our world is defined as ‘biophilia,’ or love for living things. Twentieth-century naturalist E.O. Wilson offered the theory that humans are ‘hard-wired’ to build a complex relationship with the natural world in his book Biophilia (1984). In our 21st century world, the question is how do we build relationships with a natural world that is under threat from climate change, habitat destruction, and other forces?
DOWNTOWN DAVIS. Check out art receptions, pop-ups, open studios, live music, and more in Downtown Davis & beyond. This is a great free event to enjoy with friends and family each month. 5p—9p. Free
PENCE GALLERY. Join us at the Pence Gallery for our 2nd Friday ArtAbout reception on April 11, 6 – 9 PM. Browse a variety of art exhibits and enjoy complimentary wine. Free admission! 6p – 9p. Free.
THE PAINT CHIP. Come meet & be inspired by the AP Art students from Pioneer High School, Woodland. Exhibition dates 04/01/25-04/30/25 at The Paint Chip. 6p – 8:30p. Free.
THE PAINT CHIP. Come meet & be inspired by the AP Art students from Pioneer High School, Woodland. Exhibition dates 04/01/25-04/30/25 at The Paint Chip. 6p – 8:30p. Free.
BARN STUDIO. Bring your under 5 little ones to explore their artistic side and get messy at the Barn Studio! Every Wednesday, arts activity stations will be available for you and your mini to discover together that encourage materials exploration and develop motor skills. Advance registration encouraged. 10a—11:30a. Free
THE PENCE GALLERY. Learn the basics of charcoal drawing with Sophie Jorcino! In this one-day workshop, you will learn value shading, texture techniques, & sketching exercises, all while learning to use different charcoal materials that are included with the class fee. This workshop is open to everyone ages 16 and up – no art experience required. 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM $75 Members | $90 Non-Members (All materials included).
PENCE GALLERY. Part of the Pence’s Healing Arts Program and run by facilitator Amy Vidra, this one-time, 90-minute art workshop focuses more broadly on a theme related to depression, anxiety, or major life changes , 2p—3:30p. $5-10
BARN STUDIO. Bring your under 5 little ones to explore their artistic side and get messy at the Barn Studio! Every Wednesday, arts activity stations will be available for you and your mini to discover together that encourage materials exploration and develop motor skills. Advance registration encouraged. 10a—11:30a. Free
PENCE GALLERY. This group is for both experienced artists and amateurs to have an opportunity to draw from the nude model. If you have never drawn from a live model before and would like to join us, you are very welcome! People of all skill levels, ages 18 and up, are welcome and encouraged to join. 6:30p—9p. $15-22
2005 GUMBINGER AVE, WOODLAND. The School of Building Your Craft is offering an 8-week training program designed for artists of beginner/intermediate level to focus on building essential skills in drawing, painting, color and design. Learn more at theschoolofbyc.com. Thursdays, April 24—June 12. 3:45p—5:45p. $400
PENCE GALLERY. The Pence Gallery is hosting a public reception on April 25, 6 – 9 PM. We will be open in conjunction with the 2025 California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramic Arts (CCACA) by the John Natsoulas Gallery. This is a free event at the Pence, & visitors can enjoy browsing our art exhibits and complimentary wine. Exhibits on display include the Biophilia: Our Longing for Nature group show, Flights of Fancy: Frankie Hansbearry & Marsha Elam upstairs, and Watercolor by Joanne Andresen’s Watercolor Class along the stairway. 6p – 9p. Free.
DAVIS ARTS CENTER. A whimsical tour of local Davis landmarks is captured in Pauline Jackson’s delightful quilted paintings. Her art will be on display at the Davis Arts Center from April 26 through May 3, 2025 culminating in a reception with the artist on May 3 at the DAC from 3-6 PM. 10a – 6p. Free.
BARN STUDIO. Bring your under 5 little ones to explore their artistic side and get messy at the Barn Studio! Every Wednesday, arts activity stations will be available for you and your mini to discover together that encourage materials exploration and develop motor skills. Advance registration encouraged. 10a—11:30a. Free
PENCE GALLERY. Assorted Flavors is the Pence’s first annual exhibit solely dedicated to the artwork of Pence Gallery Members. It includes work by both emerging & established artists. Visitors will view the diversity in the show as a wonderful sign of how ‘assorted’ we are in how we view the world and make art to reflect that view. 11:30a—5p. Free
2005 GUMBINGER AVE, WOODLAND. The School of Building Your Craft is offering an 8-week training program designed for artists of beginner/intermediate level to focus on building essential skills in drawing, painting, color and design. Learn more at theschoolofbyc.com. Thursdays, April 24—June 12. 3:45p—5:45p. $400
THE ARTERY. Come see a new exhibit by artist Adele Louise Shaw! Adele’s paintings are inspired by the botanical world. She uses many materials to fuse layers of color and techniques. Her art vibrates with undulating forms and earthly elements of fire, air, and water. Flowers compliment the abstract forms. Free
PENCE GALLERY. The Tiny Show is back at the Pence, featuring 5 x 7” works of art by more than 40 local and regional artists. Ranging from serious to whimsical, these tiny artworks capture the creativity of Paula Bellacera, Sue Bradford, Linda Clark Johnson, Janet Crittenden, Jeff Downing, Maryann Steinert-Foley, and many others. 11:30a—5p. Free
PENCE GALLERY. The Pence’s 6-session Healing Arts workshop uses art as a healing language for those experiencing grief from the loss of a loved one. Through the process of art making, participants will have opportunities for discussion, education, and connecting with peers in a safe and supportive space. Registration is required in advance through pencegallery.org. The workshop is on Fridays from May 2—June 6. 10a—11:45a. $25—35