CRAFT IN THE VALLEY: Exploring the space between art and craft.

An exhibit curated by Simon Blattner & Barbara Wells in the Center’s Gallery 212

Opening Reception Friday, January 9, 5-7 PM, Exhibit open daily through February 19

From the curators, “It is with the deepest intentionality that we present Craft in the Valley, an exhibition honoring the enduring value of handmade craft and the artisans who keep these traditions alive. In a world increasingly shaped by mass production and digital speed, this exhibition invites us to slow down and consider the meaning, beauty, and depth that come from work made by hand.”

The pieces in this show embody craft as art, where aesthetics and utility are inseparable—objects that are not only beautiful, but made to be lived with. They reveal craft as story and tradition, carrying within them histories of technique, culture, and personal legacy. Each maker brings a voice shaped by experience, community, and connection to place.

This exhibition also champions unconstrained, hands-on creativity, where the act of making is both expressive and liberating. Without the limits of commercial replication, these works emerge from intuition, experimentation, and material curiosity. Underpinning it all is a reverence for craft as process and mastery—a quiet devotion to skill honed over time, to the rhythms of repetition and refinement, and to the maker’s intimate relationship with their tools and materials.

Craft in the Valley is not just a showcase of finely made objects—it is a celebration of human presence, imagination, and the tactile intelligence that links past, present, and future through the act of making.

The exhibition features 24 artists. All work in Sonoma County with the majority in Sonoma Valley. Please join us this Friday, January 9, to welcome our first Gallery 212 Exhibit of 2026. Enjoy entertainment from duo Tim Curley and Gary Halter. Light refreshments will be served, and guests will have an opportunity to meet the curators and many of the artists. This event is free and open to the public.

Brushstrokes Within:

A Journey Through Intuitive Painting

Saturday, January 10, 2 PM, $60

Discover the power of creativity as a path to personal transformation. In this guided workshop, participants will engage in a sequential painting process using intuitive techniques that gently reveal inner landscapes and invite fresh perspectives. Each layer – intention setting, essence, colors, symbols, and structure – becomes a meaningful step in self-discovery and personal growth. No art experience needed. Participants will leave with a personalized piece that continues to offer insight and encouragement. Let your canvas tell the story your soul is ready to reveal.

Learn to Make Pupusas & Sopes

Wednesday, January 21, 5 PM, $100

Learn to make authentic Salvadoran Pupusas and Mexican Sopes from Chef Gerardo Diaz. Both are beloved Latin American street foods. This hands-on class teaches how to work with a corn dough known as masa, and then how to shape, fill, and cook these delicious dishes. Then, Chef G will instruct how to create the fillings, including pickled cabbage slaw, salsas, and more.

Crochet for Beginners & Beyond

Tuesdays beg. January 6, 6 PM, $80

Beginning American Sign Language

Fridays beg. January 9, 5:30 PM, $165

Volunteers are always needed for events. Fill out this form and we’ll let you know the possibilities!

Save the Dates

• SCC Building Closure: Jan 19 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

• Trashion Barbies, Bags, & Accessories Gallery Show & Auction in Gallery 212: Submissions open Jan 20

• SCC Building Closure: Feb 16 (Presidents Day)

• Chili Bowl Fundraiser: Feb 28

• Trashion Fashion Runway Show: Apr 18

  • Applications Open Jan 12 (40 entries max!-open until full)

  • Tickets on sale in March

• Free Trash Bash Wrap Party: Apr 25

• Annual Pride Dinner & Drag: Jun 20

Ceramics, Culinary, Dance/Movement, Drawing/Painting, Fiber Arts, Printmaking, Sustainability/Trashion, Wellness, Youth/Teens/Family

Sonoma International Film Festival’s Monthly Screening at Sebastiani Theatre

Academy Award Nominee: The President´s Cake

January, 06 2026 | 7:00 PM

Iraqi director Hasan Hadi’s acclaimed debut swept major film festivals globally in 2025, premiering at the Cannes Film Festival, winning the festival’s Audience & Caméra d’Or awards, and is now shortlisted for the Academy Awards for Best International Feature. It tells the story of a young Iraqi girl trying to bake Saddam Hussein’s birthday cake amidst sanctions, offering a humorous yet poignant look at life under tyranny.

While people across 1990s Iraq struggle to survive, 9-year-old Lamia has been selected to prepare a cake to celebrate the President’s birthday. In a landscape of fear and scarcity, where basic ingredients are nearly impossible to find, Lamia sets out on a determined journey throughout the big city in search of eggs, flour, and sugar. Accompanied by her grandmother, her loyal friend Saeed, and her pet rooster Hindi, she navigates vendors and police officers along the way.

Need food assistance, or know someone who does?

Text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to (707) 353-3882 to get free food information for Sonoma Valley.