While not considered a hotbed of exhibitionism, the local area does boast a number of notable artistic talents working in every conceivable medium.But wherefore art thou, you ask?

Easel does it. Brush up on where to go, what to see, and what to know, with Style’s gallery guide.

Hang It Up

This fine art gallery and framing shop in El Dorado Hills Town Center, owned by Dave Williams and his wife, Susie Baggett, offers fine art and custom craftsmanship. Hang It Up primarily displays the work of northern California artists, but cumulatively represents more than 30. By carrying art of all mediums in all styles, including oils, acrylics, watercolors, mixed media, photography, and wood, Williams’ mission – “To provide the community and the surrounding region with a high-quality experience, through both framing and art” – has been “mission accomplished” since Hang It Up opened its doors in 1997.

Picture this: Featured artwork from highly regarded local artists, including Dennis Nagasaki, Bettie Smith and Gayle Rappaport-Weiland, and a huge selection of quality frames. Exhibit A: This October, Hang It Up will exhibit the art of a yet-to-be named premier Sacramento artist.

Gallery4

The Placerville-based, 1,000-square-foot Gallery4, owned and operated by oil painter Debbie Pond-Heide, watercolorist Lu Lobue, and contemporary jewelry designer Ron Runtenelli, is a fascinating artistic hive. Together the trio showcases unusual photography, sculpture, art glass, and contemporary jewelry, all of which accomplish the gallery’s goal to “bring beautiful, affordable art to our community and to encourage the artistic spirit,” says Pond-Heide. This commitment to artistry makes Gallery4 a popular stopover for every Third Saturday Art Walk, an event that gives art lovers the chance to socialize with Gallery4 artists.

Picture this: Fine art, contemporary jewelry, and two- and three-dimensional artwork. Exhibit A: Gorgeous art glass.

Auburn Old Town Gallery

This fantastic artist collaborative located in the Old Livery Stable Building in Old Town Auburn, features and sells the works of 60 local artists. Artists-in-residence – some nationally and internationally known – work at the gallery so that visitors can chat them up about artistic technique and inspiration. Participation in scheduled events includes, the Auburn Art Walk, member shows, the Auburn Wine and Food Festival, the city’s annual Fall Antiques Street Fair, and the Auburn Art Studio Tour.

Picture this: A variety of pastels, oils and watercolor paintings; etchings; pen and ink renderings; metal and wire sculpture; ceramics and pottery; jewelry; photography; blown and fused glass; painted silk textiles; decorated eggs and more. Exhibit A: Rotating collections depending upon who is in residence at the time, but there is always something for everyone.

The Gallery at 48 Natoma

A public art center owned and operated by the City of Folsom’s Community and Cultural Services Division of the Folsom Parks and Recreation Department, “The Gallery at 48 Natoma, which is free and open to the public, brings art to the community that it otherwise might not have an opportunity to experience,” says Cindy Abraham, gallery coordinator. This multifunctional space houses two separate exhibition galleries, the first of which is the Fine Art Gallery at 48 Natoma, which showcases the works of dynamic regional artists, area museum collections, and nationally traveling exhibits. The second of these spaces is the Community Gallery, which provides first-time exhibitors, and local and emerging artists with a venue to show their work.

Picture this: Paintings, pastels, sculpture, photography, glass, textiles, wood, and jewelry. Exhibit A: Beginning September 17, and continuing through November 5, the Gallery will exhibit The World Around Us, a collection of travel photorealistic paintings and photographs from three nationally acclaimed artists. An opening reception with wine, food and music is planned for September 17, from 6-8 p.m. The gallery will also host “Folsom Focus,” the city’s annual photography competition, staring November 13.

Bennett Gallery

Bennett Gallery, located in historic El Dorado, houses a diverse collection from various artists, mostly family and friends, whose lives and work are specially connected. “This union is visually proclaimed in an interwoven collection of art like no other in the world. Our focus is on local artists. We don’t carry syndicated or mass-distributed art that is available at other galleries across the country,” says Bob Bennett, co-owner of the gallery with his wife Debi.

Picture this: A broad tapestry of paintings, prints, sculpture, glasswork, ceramic art, and jewelry; custom sculpture awards, wedding sculpture and cake toppers, and monumental sculpture and public art. Exhibit A: Bennett Sculpture is featured in public and private collections throughout the world.

Roseville Arts!
Blue Line Gallery

The vibrant Blue Line Gallery is made up of three distinct spaces: the 2100-square-foot Coker Family Gallery, equipped with substantial moveable walls for flexible exhibit installations, is dedicated to more prominent exhibits; the 1,077-square-foot WestPark Workshop Gallery is a themed exhibition space for member artists and workshops, while the 525-square-foot Eli and Edythe Broad Children’s Gallery gives the area’s youngest artists a professional gallery setting to showcase their creations. All three spaces frequently host free hands-on art activities for children every Saturday, from 1-4 p.m., and interactive activities for all visitors.

Picture this: Forward-thinking exhibits of all mediums. Also, fine art pottery, jewelry and other original gift items. Exhibit A: Opening September 19, in the gallery’s main space, is “The Art of the Pop-Up Book,” featuring intriguing paper pop-ups from Red Dot book artist David A. Carter, and weaved into the Blue Line’s fall line-up will also be a children’s art poetry workshop, “Dia de Los Muertos,” a member artist exhibition of abstract art, and for the holidays, “Small Gems.”

The Crocker Art Museum

The gold standard of all area art galleries is The Crocker Art Museum in downtown Sacramento, which stages a variety of artistic and cultural events that complement its premier collection of California art, International ceramics and Old Master drawings, as well as 15 annual rotating exhibits, all of which fulfill the Crocker’s mission, “To promote an awareness of and enthusiasm for human experience through art.”

Picture this: Traditional, abstract, sculpture, and photography exhibits housed inside Sacramento’s most beautiful example of Victorian architecture. Exhibit A: On display through October 18, is Soaring Voices: Contemporary Japanese Women Ceramic Artists, featuring majestic works of ceramic clay.

American Visions Art Gallery

This Sutter Street gallery and shop, located in the heart of Folsom’s historic district, is a spectacle of visual art, stocked with compelling curios and creations, including those from several local artists whose work features iconic regional landmarks. Complementing this arty showcase is American Visions’ slate of events, including a Second Saturday of the Month Artist Meet-and-Greet with wine and appetizers, and a First Saturday of the Month Brunch, featuring the newest works from Thomas Kinkade.

Picture this: All manner of fine art from both regional and out-of-region artists creatively spotlighted in an eclectic, fanciful gallery. Exhibit A: A signature showcase of Thomas Kinkade artwork.

Sandidge Fine Art

This gorgeous Diamond Springs gallery features the work of noted plein air artist Robert Sandidge, who, together with his gallery co-owner and operator Jackie, exhibit his work in a 150-year-old building where he also resides. Beyond living an “artful life,” Sandidge has made a name for himself by providing the “best possible product at a reasonable price.” He adds, “By painting the local scenery, I make the average person more aware of the visual world around them.”

Picture this: Plein air scenes of landscapes and seascapes, still lifes, figures, portraits and large studio pieces. Exhibit A: Because its namesake painter creates every day, Sandidge consistently exhibits new works.

ArtiFACTS

American Visions Art Gallery
avartgallery.com, 916-351-1623

Auburn Old Town Gallery
auburnoldtowngallery.com, 530-887-9150

Bennett Gallery
bennettgallery.net, 530-621-1164

Blue Line Gallery
rosevillearts.org, 916-783-4117

Crocker Art Museum
crockerartmuseum.org, 916-808-1184

The Gallery at 48 Natoma
folsom.ca.us, 916-355-7285

Gallery4
gallery4.net, 530-295-0209

Hang It Up
hangitupgallery.com, 916-939-1845

Sandidge Fine Art
sandidgegallery.com, 530-621-3936

Want to explore more galleries in our area?  Click here for an extensive list!