About SVMA's Exhibitions and Special Events

Click to see Current Exhibition Schedule

SVMA exhibitions feature the work of local, national, and international artists. Content originates from private collections and artist studios and is borrowed from museums, galleries, and other sources. Media include painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, ceramics, architecture, industrial design, graphic design, printmaking, film, video, textiles, and crafts. Qualified guest curators plan and assemble the shows. The museum’s new LaHaye Sculpture Gallery presents a rotating series of large-scale sculptures that appear concurrently with main-gallery exhibitions.

For each exhibition, Readers’ Books in Sonoma selects and purchases related books for sale in the museum foyer and donates a percentage of the proceeds to SVMA.



In addition to its ongoing exhibition series, SVMA stages a number of events:

		SVMA’s annual August fund-raising gala Wet Paint,  enables guests to bid on the works of some 25 regional painters and sculptors, most of whom are present and even demonstrating their techniques onsite while interacting with attendees. A silent auction includes giftware, spa packages, hotel stays, and other items. Guests and artists then dine together at a gourmet meal prepared by top regional chefs.
		“Dia de los Muertos.” In partnership with Sonoma’s La Luz Center, SVMA invites local Latino families to erect commemorative altars in the museum gallery each October to celebrate departed generations and family members in the tradition of the Mexican Day of the Dead.
		“SVMA Biennial.” Alternating years with the “Sonoma Collects” exhibition, this juried competition (formerly “Sonoma Creates”) is open to all artists residing in Sonoma, Marin, Napa, and Solano Counties. A panel of expert art judges evaluates two- and three-dimensional works in all media, and the museum exhibits accepted entries as well as awards cash prizes.
		Concert & Entertainment Series SVMA hosts an annual series of fundraising concerts and other entertainment and social events designed to draw the full spectrum of community residents to the museum. “Second Sunday Salons.” This free program of chamber, light, classical, and tango music by Sonoma violinist Leta Davis and pianist David Ross provides background entertainment for exhibition visitors on the second Sunday of most months, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.