Art works celebrate city’s 150th birthday

“Petaluma Egg Parade” by Monika Breithaupt won third place for mixed media in the age 17 division in the Petaluma Arts Association’s sesquicentennial contest.

Published: Monday, August 3, 2009 at 3:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 5:51 p.m.

A celebration of Petaluma in works by local artists opens April 5 at a newly refurbished Aurora Colors Gallery, 145 Kentucky St.

Aurora Colors hosts three exhibits on two floors from April 5 to 13.

The exhibitions include the works of artist contributors to “Celebrating Petaluma,” a commemorative book produced to mark the city’s 150th birthday celebration, according to gallery co-owner Vangie Pullins, a member of the 150th celebration steering committee.

The commemorative book exhibition at Aurora Colors features the works of artists Alan Plisskin, Jim Johnson, JoAnn Naylor, Lance Kuehne, Lori Chatterton, Maria Bales, Marie Lynne, Michael Flicek, Peter Perez, Steven Yeager, Scott Hess, Chris Stevick, Tom Corbett, Terry Smith and Terry Hankins.

A reception and fund-raiser featuring this group of artists will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on April 12, the anniversary of Petaluma’s incorporation.

The reception includes an invitation to guests to dress in period style from the 1850s to the 1920s, or in “after-five” attire. Pianist and songwriter Hiram Elliott will provide the music

Artists will autograph copies of the commemorative book by request, Pullins said.

Art sales from this show benefit the “SesquiFest” community celebration of American Independence and Petaluma’s 150th birthday taking place on July 4 at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds in Petaluma.

Pieces by 34 artists, ages 13-18, fill the second April 5-13 exhibition. The 150th celebration commemorative book includes works by these young artists as participants in a 150th theme Youth Art Contest sponsored by the Petaluma Arts Association. The exhibit opens with a reception on April 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. and includes a raffle for a professional photograph by Looking Glass Images of Petaluma.

Aurora Colors’ collection of art by Petaluma youths, from the age of 7 to 18, centers on the theme of “Petaluma’s Past, Present and Future” and fills the third exhibition at the gallery.

Call 762-0131 for more information or visit www.auroracolors.com.