More to the Guild than a gallery

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Photos by Melania Mahoney
Even longtime Sonoma residents frequently mistake the Arts Guild of Sonoma’s East Napa Street location for just another one of Sonoma’s beloved but ubiquitous art galleries. The Arts Guild of Sonoma is in fact the oldest continually operating organization of its kind in California and for more than 32 years, it has been the cornerstone of the artistic community here in Sonoma. While it is a nonprofit organization with the goal of building a sense of community among the artists working and living in this area … they were also just voted “Best Art Gallery in Sonoma” by The San Francisco Chronicle.
While the Guild looks like a gallery and the art it exhibits is indeed for sale, it is a co-op with a current active membership of 29 artists who rent wall space on a monthly basis, sell their work and help staff the gallery. Membership is selective and a committee screens potential new artists four times a year. “Our screening process means that we do turn away potential members who we feel either aren’t ready to show, or their work is not compatible with our contemporary gallery. It is not always comfortable to do, but keeps the quality of our exhibits very high,” explains Guild President Thena Trygstad. Some of their artists have been with them more than 20 years; others are new – like painter Cecilia Hallanan, who was screened in October.
Foot traffic is crucial to the success of the Guild and they credit their current location with much of their ongoing success. “Being so close to Reader’s Books and Café LaHaye is tremendously helpful in getting locals and tourists in our doors,” says Trygstad. “We were so fortunate to get this space and Barney LaHaye has been incredibly good to us, keeping our rent virtually unchanged in the 16 years we’ve been here.”
The Guild just finished a facelift including the design of a new logo and a full palette of events planned to celebrate the fresh new look of the space. On Feb. 5, their newest exhibit opens and it includes a tribute to late Guild artist Juliet Terr. The Guild typically hosts a reception the first Friday of the month to herald new exhibits.
The Guild is devoted to supporting the arts through educational outreach efforts in area schools. They sponsor a “Recycled Art Program” with the Sonoma Ecology Center and work closely with Jessica Glatt and Rebecca Bozelli on a program for students at the Sonoma Community Garden each summer as well as offering periodic small “Gourd Workshops” for students, ages 7-13.
Part of the proceeds they receive from the Plein Air event goes toward programs at Sonoma Valley High School, thanks to a close relationship with Owen Tuttle’s art department. The “Summer Mentor Program” matches Sonoma Valley High School students with working artists in different mediums and their annual “Small But Grand” program enables 100 students to create a project which is later displayed at the Arts Guild. Janis Kobe, a Guild artist, started as a mentor and teaches her students regularly in the Guild space. The Guild also provides two scholarships each year to area seniors.
For the March “Repo Art Show” fundraiser, artists donate pieces made of found and reclaimed objects.  Through a month-long silent auction and a spirited evening live-auction event, the Guild raises funds critical to their ongoing operations. The highlight of the closing night party on March 27 is a recycled costume contest.
Still ahead are new “Topics in Art” discussions, workshops like October’s “Paper Arts” program and a new “Art Movies” series. These are open to all and the Arts Guild offers annual community memberships starting at $30. “Sonoma is well-known as a city that supports and embraces the arts in every medium,” says Lynn Brede, Guild gallery coordinator. “We’re proud that the Guild played an early role in building that reputation and continues to this day.”
Lorna Sheridan serves as chair of Sonoma’s Cultural and Fine Arts Commission. She teaches journalism at The Presentation School and is active with the Sonoma Education Foundation providing college counseling support to area high school students.