Vibrant new Petaluma Arts Center opened its doors to the public today amidst crowds of well-wishers, and a throng of jubilant Sonoma County painters, sculptors, poets, photographers and writers, co-mingling under the impeccably restored eaves of the city's historic Freight Building at Lakeville and D Streets.
Festivities are taking place all weekend long, so there is plenty of time to be amongst the first Petalumans to step foot into the revitalized space, so strikingly designed by the talented and tireless Mary Dooley, of MAD Architcture (didn't I just sit on the sidelines with M at her second soccer game of the day? Good job two of her three boys are twins!).
That's the beauty of this town, the faces we see at every major community milestone frequently belong to the same favorite personalities, only wearing a myriad different hats!
Thoroughly enjoyed all of the hands-on arty activities taking place inside and out, under perfect late September's baby blue skies with puffy white clouds conducive for the ideal afternoon hanging out amongst the art!
Opening exhibits are stunning, though none so stirringly poignant as the Phoebe Show celebrating the late and much, much lamented, outstanding, young Petaluma artist Phoebe Washer.
Phoebe's dreamlike, luminous characters grace the white-washed walls of an intimate section of the Art Center, inviting her many, many friends and extended community to mourn no more and celebrate the gift she has bestowed upon this lovely place.
Although it must surely be so extraordinarily painful for Phoebe's family to mount a show in her name without her standing so proudly before her work, it's a palpable scenario in which to feel her presence. I was so happy to see Phoebe's Mom, Drew on the sunshiney patio out front. Thanks Drew for letting me snap this shot of your Phoebe art tattoo, just one of a series of her unmistakable work gracing the forearms and chests of her closest friends and family. For me, the Phoebe exhibit stole the show.
But there is so much else to see, it's an absolute must-visit, now or next month for the incredible Day of the Dead alters and exhibits which will draw enormous interest to the new arts center.
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