February marked a groundbreaking partnership between the Stanislaus Arts Council and California State University, Stanislaus, with the presentation of The Stanislaus Art Exchange, a dual exhibition showcasing the talents of both BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) students and Stanislaus Arts Council artist members.

This first-of-its-kind collaboration fostered a dynamic artistic dialogue, offering emerging and established artists the opportunity to exhibit in new spaces and engage with broader audiences. The exhibition was a resounding success, with the community turning out in full support for both receptions and actively participating in artist talks. This initiative not only strengthened cultural connections but also laid the foundation for future collaborations, reinforcing our commitment to fostering a thriving arts community in Stanislaus County.

During the Stanislaus Art Exchange Exhibition at the SAC Gallery, we had 94 votes placed in the Community Choice jar. The community’s first place winner is the artwork titled Anticipation by Stanislaus State Student BFA Artist, Elizabeth Hernandez, pictured below. Congratulation to Elizabeth! And to all of the artists for such an amazing display of talent.

Thank you to all in the community that came in, enjoyed the exhibition and voted for their favorite. We welcome all to come in each month to vote for their favorite artwork in each exhibition we host for the Community Choice Award! We also want to thank our SAC Reception sponsor, Mocha Magic Cafe & Bakeshop, for the beautiful and delicious sweet treats they provided for the event.

Community Collaborations: Celebration in Black, a pop-up exhibition at Gallo Center for the Arts, celebrating Black History Month

The Stanislaus Arts Council (SAC) and Gallo Center for the Arts (GCA) proudly partnered to bring the community a stunning collection of paintings, photography, mixed media art, and poetry—all created by talented local artists—to honor and celebrate Black History Month.

We are incredibly fortunate to collaborate with dedicated arts organizations that help create meaningful opportunities for both artists and the community to engage with and experience art in its many powerful forms.

Our deepest gratitude to the Gallo Center for the Arts for their partnership in making this vibrant and essential cultural experience possible for Stanislaus County!

Art Walk Report: February 2025

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us for February 2025’s Art Walk! It was a fantastic evening with beautiful weather, vibrant energy, and a special visit from CBS 13, who highlighted our message of community and collaboration on the 5 PM news.

Seven talented artists participated in the event, and we are thrilled to see even greater enthusiasm for March’s Art Walk, with more than twice that number already signed up to take part. We appreciate each and every artist that signs up to share their practice and passion with the community during this event.

The Create Station featured a Friendship Bracelet Making station, and it was a huge hit, engaging visitors of all ages and generating nearly $10 in donations to support our free community activities. Looking ahead, March’s Art Walk Create Station will feature a fun, kid-approved bookmark-making activity—be sure to stop by and get creative!

We also want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible team at Visit Modesto for their invaluable support in making Art Walk a professionally organized, free event for our community. Meaningful collaborations like these are at the heart of the Stanislaus Arts Council’s mission, and we couldn’t do what we do without partners like Visit Modesto!

Follow this link to see the CBS 13 news report.

FUNdraising in the Gallery: Bottle Painting Update and March’s Events

We are thrilled to share that our recent FUNdraising event raised $500 for the Stanislaus Arts Council! A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors, Sciabica Family California Olive Oil & Gourmet Foods and The Save Mart Food Company, for their unwavering support of the arts in Stanislaus County. We also deeply appreciate everyone who purchased a ticket and joined us in the gallery—your creativity and enthusiasm made the event truly special! See their beautiful work pictured below.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to bring back the beloved 6x6 FUNdraiser this March! On March 8, 15, and 22, from 12 to 5 PM, stop by the gallery to participate—donate $10 to receive a 6x6-inch canvas panel, which you can paint in the gallery or take home. We’ll provide paint, brushes, easels, and space for you to create. Once finished, we ask that you donate your artwork back to the gallery to be displayed and sold in April during California’s Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month—which will also coincide with our Emerging Artists Exhibition.

Every 6x6 painting sold will directly support gallery programs and events, ensuring we continue to provide creative opportunities for our community. We can’t wait to see the incredible artwork this FUNdraiser will inspire!

Upcoming Exhibitions and Calls for Art

The Young at Art Exhibition—celebrating the incredible talents of artists aged 3 to 18 from across Stanislaus County—opens to the public on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 12 to 5 PM at the SAC Gallery.

Join us for Art Walk on Thursday, March 20th, and don’t miss the Young at Art, Artists’ Reception and Awards Ceremony on the exhibition’s final day, March 29, 2025, from 12:30 to 2 PM.

This exhibition is designed to provide young artists with the invaluable experience of showcasing their work in a professional gallery setting—offering exposure, confidence, and a moment to shine. It’s also a special opportunity for our community to celebrate the artistic excellence of our next generation of creatives.

We are deeply grateful to The Save Mart Food Company, whose generous support as our main exhibition sponsor has made artist awards possible. Additionally, as part of our March fundraising efforts, the Stanislaus Arts Council will offer printed art cards featuring the work of these talented young artists, available for purchase in the gallery.

Your support helps keep programs like this thriving—join us in celebrating and uplifting the voices of young artists in Stanislaus County!

Stanislaus Arts Collective Impact Workshop: Collective Collaboration is Our Path Forward

The Stanislaus Arts Collective Impact Workshop, hosted by the Stanislaus Arts Council in partnership with the Stanislaus County Community Foundation, brought together leaders from the region’s major arts organizations for a collaborative discussion on the successes and challenges facing our arts community.

Facilitated by Tracy Hudak of CA for the Arts, and with the California Arts Council in attendance, the workshop focused on fostering trust and collaboration, positioning the Stanislaus Arts Council as an advocacy leader, and identifying key opportunities for growth. Participants explored strategies to educate the public, business leaders, and government officials on the immense cultural and economic value of the arts—highlighting the need for collective marketing, policy advocacy, and a Creative Economy Impact Report.

Additionally, the California Arts Council is aware of our efforts and our desire to become one of California’s newest designated Arts Regions, recognized by the state. As we work toward this initiative and many others that support the arts, promote creativity, and elevate our community, the Stanislaus Arts Council is seeking donations and sponsorships to cover travel expenses for this year’s State-Local Partnership Convening, the Californians for the Arts Summit, and Arts Advocacy Day at the Capitol. Our Executive Director will lead a group of advocates to educate legislators about our community’s needs concerning the arts. To support this vital effort, we need to raise at least $1,500 to cover travel, lodging, and summit registration. If you would like to contribute, your support will help ensure that Stanislaus County’s vibrant arts community has a strong voice at the state level. Click the link below to donate towards this effort today, thank you!

Donate

The Board and staff of the Stanislaus Arts Council are thrilled to be planning our biggest fundraising event of the year and kindly ask that you SAVE THE DATE for our— 2nd Annual Celebration of the Arts Gala, happening on June 14, 2025, at the Modesto Silos!

Exciting details will be shared in the coming weeks, but we are actively seeking donations, sponsors, and vendors to help make this event a spectacular success. If you’re interested in supporting this vital fundraiser for the SAC, please reach out to our Executive Director, Dominique Johnson, at djohnson@stanislausarts.org or call the SAC Gallery at (209) 529-3369. Your support helps us continue to support, promote, and elevate the arts in Stanislaus County—we can’t wait to celebrate with you!