AntiquesArtGalleries

Petaluma is full of historic buildings in the Downtown and has become a regional center for antiques shopping More than 150 antiques dealers in 32 shops have a variety of tempting items including antiques, collectibles, dolls and jewelry,

Check the Calendar of events for Petaluma's Downtown Antique Faires held in April and September and featuring about 200 vendors against an outdoor backdrop of historic buildings and colorful rolling hills.

Local art galleries often feature works by nationally and internationally known artists as well as more regional works in a wide variety of mediums. Petaluma has a thriving artists community and a strong community commitment to the arts,

Petaluma's Art and Garden Festival in July in Historic Downtown offers an afternoon of fine wines and delicious delicacies, good music and art.

The Petaluma Arts Council (PAC) offers summer art classes taught by professional artists and are designed to appeal to people of all ages on subjects that are interesting and fun like Couples Cartooning or unusual like Feng Shui for the Garden. The classes run May through August at Room for Art4 E. Washington St. For a full listing of all the classes to be offered this summer visit www.PetalumaArtsCouncil.org or call 766-5200 for information.

During September the annual Art in the Park outdoor art show and sale celebrates 50 years and features a diversity of media from painting to photography in a picturesque setting at Walnut Park on Petaluma Boulevard South and D Street.

Area artists open their studios and d isplay new works during the Sonoma Countywide ARTrails Open Studio Tours set for two weekends in October. See the Calendar of Events or w ww.sonomaarts.org for details about these and other art events throughout the year.