Petaluma 2020-2021 Visitor Magazine - 59

ART SHOW

ARTS, CULTURE, EVENTS

FROM STREET CORNERS TO CAFES, CREATIVITY IS ON DISPLAY
IN PETALUMA. BY COLLEEN RUSTAD
R-EVOLUTION

FEEL THE BURN
ARTIST KEVIN CLARK
BUILDS LARGER-THANLIFE CREATIONS.

fdeanneonfire

PLUGGED IN

fursageezer

UTILITY BOX
crustad

Petaluma
Arts Center

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ART EXHIBITIONS
Catch the latest
exhibits at Petaluma
Arts Center.
April 11-26: Paint
Petaluma: A
Regional Juried
Exhibition
May 9-30: Art
Shapes the World:
7th Annual Youth
Arts Exhibit

SCOTT HESS

July 4-Sept. 5:
Talking Chairs:
Honoring the
Centennial of
Women's Suffrage
Nov. 14-Jan. 1:
Petaluma to the
Playa Revisited: Art
of Burning Man

P

etaluma is often described as
a magical place - a reputation
that can be traced to the community's visual and performing arts
scene. Stroll downtown and see a
mural of a giant rainbow-tailed
rooster, discover the work of local
artists at a cafe, or meander through
an intriguing exhibit. Experience
Petaluma's arts scene and make some
magic for yourself.
ON EXHIBIT
The galleries of Petaluma Arts
Center, adjacent to the Visitors Center,
feature rotating exhibits showcasing a
variety of mediums and works by
influential artists and architects.
Classes and events are also a part of
this hub for artistic expression.
ART IN THE HEART OF
DOWNTOWN
Art is on almost every corner, inside
historic buildings, and adorning
exterior walls. Go hunting for murals

or explore galleries, antique stores, and
even a bistro or two displaying works
by artists of local and international
renown. Gallery One features fine art
alongside handmade jewelry, ceramics,
and other delightful creations, while
the impressive Riverfront Art Gallery
displays rotating works by more than
20 local artists, so there's always something new to discover.

"Petaluma is an artists' haven where
individuals flourish."

- Lance Kuehne, landscape photographer
TRANSFORMATIVE ART
Creativity transforms everyday objects
around town into works of art. Artists
commissioned by the Petaluma Downtown Association have painted ten of
the city's utility boxes in a variety of
unique styles. See if you can find all of
them on corners throughout town. ❖

At the edge of downtown, fantastical sights
loom over a barb-wired
fence: a massive metal
Medusa, a 70-foot tall
"Flower Tower," a
rhinoceros on wheels.
These are the works
of Reared in Steel, an
art studio operated by
artist Kevin Clark. For
two decades, Clark has
constructed large-scale
metal sculptures for the
Burning Man festival.
"It's the grandness
of the event," he says.
"It's the most beautiful
canvas, because there's
nothing else around it."
Raised in Petaluma,
Clark grew up with a
knack for building -
"furniture, backbars, all
kinds of things." He put
it all together in 2000,
collaborating with fellow
Petaluman and artist
David Best on an installation for the festival.
"I wanted to do
things big," says Clark.
"Burning Man gave me
that opportunity."
While the art studio
isn't open to the public,
it's still worth seeing
what's lurking in front.
As for Clark, he's
busy crafting his next
masterpiece. "I'm just
building more and
more," he says.

VisitPetaluma.com | 2020-2021

59
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Petaluma 2020-2021 Visitor Magazine

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