Sonoma Community Center Announces the 2026 MUSE Gala
Look in the mirror- it is YOU!
Sonoma, California. The Sonoma Community Center launches a year-long, 75th milestone celebration beginning with the 2026 MUSE Gala on Saturday, August 15th, honoring the true force behind the Center’s enduring legacy—YOU, the community—the founders, visionaries, artists, supporters, and changemakers who have shaped the Center into the vibrant artistic and cultural heart of Sonoma Valley.
MUSE 2026 is not about a single honoree. Instead, it is a tribute to the collective spirit that has sustained and grown the Sonoma Community Center for three-quarters of a century. From its earliest days to today, the Center has thrived because of the people who believed in its mission and invested their time, talent, and passion. Our community is the inspiration, the MUSE, that keeps the Center evolving to meet the needs of a diverse and ever-changing community.
The MUSE event will feature a photo wall celebrating the people who have shaped the Center over the years. We invite the community to help bring this display to life by submitting photos and stories to [email protected] for inclusion. From board leaders, staff, and teaching artists to volunteers, donors, class participants, and event attendees, every contribution has helped make the Center a thriving community institution. The photos and stories will create a vibrant portrait of the Center’s history, celebrating the remarkable people, experiences, and connections that have shaped our diverse community over the years.
“We hope to collect photos and stories that reflect the many ways the Center has touched people’s lives, from lifelong friendships formed here to unforgettable experiences ranging from Beervana and Come as You Art to tap dancing classes,” said Vanessa Glamore Rognlien, Executive Director. “The Center is the heart of Sonoma, and it has taken the passion and participation of so many people to make it what it is today: a place where our community comes together to connect, create, and learn. MUSE 2026 will be a celebration of that community spirit at its very best.”
MUSE 2026 will be a walk through the decades, tracing the Center’s history from the present day to 1952, the year of the founding of the Sonoma Community Center. Guests will enjoy drinks, nibbles, and interactive stations highlighting trends from decades past. The event begins at 5:00 p.m. with an outdoor cocktail reception at the Center, followed by an unforgettable evening of celebration. Guests will enjoy a silent auction featuring one-of-a-kind art, experiences, and offerings from local artists, craftspeople, businesses, and wineries. A spectacular al fresco dinner catered by the girl & the fig sets the stage for live entertainment, meaningful moments, and a few surprises along the way. As always, MUSE is an event not to be missed.
Proceeds from the MUSE Gala support the Sonoma Community Center’s operations, including classes, workshops, community events, and scholarship programs that ensure access for all.
Tickets go on sale on June 1, 2026.
Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Mary Catherine Cutcliffe at 707-931-4289 or visiting www.sonomacommunitycenter.org/muse.
About Sonoma Community Center
The Sonoma Community Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1953 to serve the communities of Sonoma Valley with the mission of cultivating a vibrant community through extraordinary creative, cultural, and learning experiences. Originally built as the Sonoma Grammar School, which opened in 1916, the Center is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Community – Innovation – Creativity – Inclusion – Leadership
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Media Contact:
Vanessa Glamore Rognlien
Executive Director, Sonoma Community Center
[email protected]
707-931-4166
