35: Thirty-Five Artists for Thirty-Five Years

Now Available Online!
December 22, 2020-October 31, 2021

Curated by Jeff Nathanson

The Museum of Sonoma County (MSC) has a large and extensive permanent collection of 18,000 objects and artworks. While selections from the collection are frequently rotated into our exhibitions, many works often wait years to be exhibited. Now, on the occasion of the Museum’s thirty-fifth anniversary, we are pleased to present a sampling of artworks from the collection in this new exhibition.

The Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, was founded in 1985 and began building its collection of historical objects, archival materials, photographs, and original art well before MSC’s official grand opening. The overarching mission during these past thirty-five years has been a focus on Sonoma County and the North Bay. Now, more than three decades later, MSC has built its collection from its humble beginnings to the largest existing comprehensive overview of the history, art, and culture in the region. Artworks make up a significant part of this collection and the building of the art collection is ongoing.

Over the years, the MSC collection has grown to include artworks ranging from works on paper, to photographs, paintings, sculpture, ceramics and crafts, spanning over a century of art-making, from the 19th to the 21st Century. With this in mind, the artworks selected for 35: Thirty-Five Artists for Thirty-Five Years explore a broad range of media and styles. Of particular interest are themes that are recurring in MSC’s collecting practices, such as landscape and the environment, social commentary, mixed media experimentation, and abstraction.

While our collection may reflect a variety of media and styles, we acknowledge and regret that it does not properly celebrate the full range of artists who have lived and worked in this region. With refocused collecting priorities and a keen eye on works by artists of all genders and artists of color, our aim is to ensure that all members of our community will see themselves reflected in our collection.

MSC’s collection has grown because of the support of collectors, artists, and donors, and we are grateful for their generosity. We are proud of the art we have accessioned to date, and are pleased to share this sampling with the public. We hope these excellent works provoke inspiration, conversation, and creativity.

Artists included in 35: Thirty-Five Artists for Thirty-Five Years:

This exhibition is presented in virtual form, with the ability to be viewed in-person when the Museum of Sonoma County is permitted to reopen.

Sponsorship inquiries: development@museumsc.org

Virtual Experience

Explore the exhibition through 360° imaging! 

"35: Thirty-Five Artists for Thirty-Five Years" is presented concurrently with "Artistry in Wood."

This virtual experience is generously provided by Steve Vargas, VARGAS XR "Mind Over Matter."