A new exhibition titled “Etched in Sonoma: A Living Legacy” has opened at the Sonoma Community Center, showcasing the art of printmaking through works by 16 local and international artists. Curated by Simon Blattner and Barbara Wells, the free exhibition runs through May 24 in Gallery 212 and includes an opening reception on May 1 with curator talks and live music. The show features prints from Eastside Editions alongside new works created at the center’s Print Studio, which houses the historic Griffin etching press. A public discussion on art collecting, led by Blattner, gallery owner David Keaton, and artist Chester Arnold, is scheduled for May 21.
This exhibition matters because it highlights printmaking as an accessible, high-quality fine art medium that has quietly thrived in Sonoma Valley for decades. By bridging the region’s artistic past with its creative future, the show reinforces the Sonoma Community Center’s role not just as a gallery but as a living workshop where professional techniques are passed down to the community. The event also supports local artists and educates new collectors, emphasizing how buying local art sustains Sonoma’s creative workforce.