I love putting together this newsletter because it consistently fills me with a sense of hope, optimism, and connection. It can be easy to fall into the trap of despair, but when I see that so many people are spending their time, resources, and talents to create art, to foster community, and to fight for a better future, I don’t want to. You’ve probably seen this Fred Rogers quote many times, but it is profound advise: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
Meanderings is one of my ways of helping. By supporting it, whether through subscribing, sharing it with a friend, attending an event or exhibit, or leaving a tip, you are helping too.
Sacramento
Deconstructing Trauma: A Creative Blueprint For Wellness at the African Marketplace Holistic Wellness Festival
VENUE: Sojourner Truth African Heritage Museum - 2251 Florin Rd. Suite 126 Sacramento, CA, 95822
DATE/TIME: Opening August 2nd 12-2pm (festival goes until 6pm on both days), Artist Conversation August 3rd 12pm -2pm
COST: FREE for Festival, Conference Tickets at yahkievents.com (I didn’t see the event posted, check back here for an update)
Artist Alana Enfinity shares her work in person at the Wellness Festival with an Artist Conversation on Sunday. The Festival itself will have other artisan vendors, food samples and workshops. Saturday Evening there is a conference starting at 5 PM for Dr. Yahki Rapha Elohim’s keynote at Luther Burbank High School (3500 Florin Rd).
over under & through: a group photo exhibit
VENUE: Timeless Thrills - 3714 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95816
DATE/TIME: through Saturday, August 9th
COST: FREE
It’s high time I included Timeless Thrills Gallery in the monthly roundup! They’ve been part of the Sacramento creative scene since 2011, and a full-fledged gallery since 2023. This group show of over twenty local photographers is on my must-see list for the month!
30th Annual Sacramento Pow Wow
VENUE: O’Neil Park, 715 Broadway Sacramento, 95918
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 8th-10 times vary depending on the day
COST: General admission $7, under 18 $4, seniors and kid under 5 are free
Attending a Pow Wow has been on my bucket list for a while now… especially after I’ve become more and more interested in indigenous economics and environmental activism. The dancing is guaranteed to be beautiful! There will be food vendors, arts and crafts, gourd dancing, and contest dancing.
20th National Juried Exhibition Reception
VENUE: Axis Gallery - 625 S St, Sacramento, CA 95811
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 9th, 5:00-8:00PM
COST: FREE
Juried by Nancy Lim, Associate Curator of Painting and Sculpture at SFMOMA, this group showcase of contemporary work from artists across the States is going to be a good one. The exhibition includes photography, sculpture, painting, and more.
Tomato Tastings
VENUE: find out farms - 4712 Parker Avenue Sacramento, CA 95820
DATE/TIME: Monday, August 11th, 6:30PM
COST: $55
Every summer I vow to revel in the joy of tomato season and every summer I feel like I could have done more! An in-season, local heirloom is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and find out farms knows it. Enjoy an evening reveling in the glory of summer produce all while supporting local farmers.
Out the Way Soiree: 2 Year Anniversary
VENUE: Out The Way On J - Mahogany and Rose Hair Studio, 2612 J St #5, Sacramento, CA 95816
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 16th, 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM
COST: $25-$35
How has it only been two years since Out The Way On J’s launch? They’ve so quickly become an integral part of the Sacramento creative community. Their anniversary celebration includes two back-to-back shows. Tickets are super limited!
4th Annual Festival Del Mole
VENUE: Casa de Espanol - 1101 R St, Sacramento, CA 95811
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 23rd, 6:00PM-10:00PM
COST: $75
I love a Casa de Espanol event! This year’s Mole Festival will include a tasting of eight different mole, as well as art, music, food, drinks, and an artisan market.
Made in SAC
VENUE: 200 N. 16th Street, Sacramento, CA 95811
DATE/TIME: through October 28th
COST: FREE
I recently featured FORMA, the new gallery space from ALMa Designs in my latest article for Comstock Magazine. I love their beautiful work and this new concept. MADE IN SAC is a group exhibition “celebrating object design as a key part of Sacramento’s creative identity.”
East Bay
Window Seat - Opening Reception
VENUE: Johansson Projects - 2300 Telegraph Ave. Oakland, CA
DATE/TIME: Friday, August 1st, 5:00-8:00PM
COST: FREE
I’d call myself a Johansson Projects fangirl at this point. It’s such a great woman-owned gallery. The CJ Chueca ceramic airplane windows in Window Seat are hand-built and draw on the artist’s experiences of migration between Mexico, Peru, and the United States.
Oakland Vintage Market
VENUE: 222 Jefferson Street Oakland, CA 94607
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 2nd, 10:00AM-3:00PM
COST: FREE
I think we can all agree that a Saturday stroll through the vintage market is one of the finest ways to spend a summer morning. Every first Saturday, Narrative Oakland hosts a popular vintage market featuring 50+ vendors.
Summer Night Market
VENUE: Piedmont Ave
DATE/TIME: Thursday, August 7th, 6:00PM-8:00PM
COST: FREE
Piedmont Ave is home to some amazing shops, books and record stores, and art spaces. The list of participating businesses for the August 7th market is long and many are offering great discounts.
Force of Nature
VENUE: GearBox Gallery - 770 West Grand Ave. Oakland, CA 94612
DATE/TIME: through Saturday, August 9th
COST: FREE
This show features large-scale oil paintings by Tamera Avery and torn paper constructions from TaVee McAllister Lee.
Gather In: Art & Community Night
VENUE: ARTogether Center - 1200 Harrison Street, Oakland, CA 94612
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, August 13th, 4:00PM-7:00PM
COST: FREE
Each month, ARTogether hosts a community art & craft night. This month’s theme is collage, and will feature a collage demo from artist Martin Rodriguez Serrano. ARTogether provides supplies, but you can also bring your own, as well as any creative project you’d like to work on while in community.
Sunday Summer Jazz at Golden Gate
VENUE: Doyle Hollis Park - 1327 67th Street, Emeryville CA 94608
DATE/TIME: Sunday, August 17th, 3:00PM-5:00PM
COST: FREE
Every Sunday, The Oakland Public Library hosts an afternoon of jazz. The performance on the 17th is a special one, featuring Melba's Kitchen Big Band, an all-women’s band that celebrates Black female jazz geniuses.
San Francisco
Pine Needle Weaving Workshop
VENUE: SCRAP SF - 2150 Newcomb Avenue San Francisco, CA 94124
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 2nd, 11:00AM-3:00PM
COST: sliding scale starting at $55
You can weave with pine needles?! Incredible. Please go to this and then send me photos of what you create. I’m so curious!
Minnesota Street Project Summer Party
VENUE: Minnesota Street Project Atrium - 1275 Minnesota St, San Francisco, CA 94107
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 2nd, 5:00PM-8:00PM
COST: FREE
Celebrate the newest gallery on the Minnesta Street Project campus, di Rosa SF, with an opening exhibition of Northern California artists. Recology will be celebrating their 35 Year Anniversary Artist in Residence program with an exhibition, and several of the other galleries are holding opening receptions! The party includes food, drinks by Lady Victory, and dance music provided by NO BIAS.
Community Art Market
VENUE: Heron Arts - 7 Heron St, San Francisco, CA 94103
DATE/TIME: Saturday, August 9th, 12:00PM-5:00PM
COST: FREE
This one day pop up features 20+ artists, ceramicists, and jewelry artisans selling small to medium pieces of art at accessible prices. I’m passionate about empowering quote, unquote normal people to become art collectors. This is a great opportunity to begin or add to your collection!
55 Years: Isn't That Long Enough?
VENUE: Berggruen Gallery - 10 Hawthorne St, San Francisco, CA 94105
DATE/TIME: through Thursday, August 14th
COST: FREE
Berggruen Gallery is celebrating 55 years in SF with a group show of “museum-quality works by contemporary and historical artists,” including rarely-seen pieces that are on loan from private collections.
FORECAST 2025
VENUE: SF Camerawork
DATE/TIME: through Saturday, August 23rd, Fort Mason Center, 2 Marina Blvd, Building A, San Francisco, CA 94123
COST: FREE
The photographers and the work chosen for this show looks so cool!
“Each year SF Camerawork invites an esteemed jury of artists, curators, and critics to select and showcase the work of emerging imagemakers, with an eye toward current movements, trends and concerns in contemporary photography.”
Collaborating With the Muses: Part Two
VENUE: 500 Capp Street - 500 Capp Street, San Francisco, CA 94110
DATE/TIME: through Saturday, August 23rd
COST: FREE
The Bay Area is having a real moment with 2025 Guggenheim Fellow, Mildred Howard, and I am too. Following last years shows at Pt. 2 Gallery, Anglim/Trimble, and 500 Capp Street, Howard has returned with a never-before-seen suite of new works titled Untold Histories/Hidden Truths.
Noelle Phares: Salty and Dark
VENUE: COL Gallery - 887 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94109
DATE/TIME: through September 6th
COST: FREE
If I could, I’d buy every single one of these paintings. Truly, every single one.
This guide was written in collaboration with my friend and editor, Mallory Taylor. To learn more about Mallory and her work, visit her Substack: This Could Be Embarrassing.
Are you an artist who’d like to be spotlighted in a future newsletter? Or perhaps you know of a fantastic, upcoming arts event? For press inquiries of all kinds, please email hello@melissaluvisi.com