Joy of the season
The holiday season is here, and the North Bay is aglow with glimmering lights. Santa Rosa based company, Shades of Green Holiday Design, offers holiday installations for businesses—from luxurious hotels, to modern corporate headquarters to sprawling shopping centers. The Santa Rosa Plaza, Exchange Bank and several North Bay Kaiser Hospitals and medical facilities have been custom decorated for the
holidays. “We love what we do, and it shows,” says Alyssa Romano, owner of the design group. “We believe that Christmas brings people together and inspires hope, peace, faith and joy.”
holidays. “We love what we do, and it shows,” says Alyssa Romano, owner of the design group. “We believe that Christmas brings people together and inspires hope, peace, faith and joy.” Focusing on holiday installations that compliment workspaces, Shades of Green’s hard working holiday elves create custom designed color schemes and an endless selection of themes, down to the smallest detail.
“Our mission is to infuse your corporate atmosphere with a bit of magic that will make your holiday season truly memorable,” says Romano.
For more information, visit their website at www.shadesofgreenholidaydesign.com
Resources for Artists
To kick-start the rebuilding process of Sonoma County, Creative Sonoma, a division of the County of Sonoma’s Economic Development Board, is offering fire recovery resources for the creative community. “The members of Sonoma County’s artistic and creative community work every day to make our lives a little more beautiful, a little more thought provoking and a lot more interesting,” says Kristen Madsen, director of Creative Sonoma. “There’s no question that our artistic community will be in the second wave of
responders, working with students, seniors and community groups of all kinds to help us build back better.”
responders, working with students, seniors and community groups of all kinds to help us build back better.”Creative Sonoma offers recovery funds specifically for members of the creative community such as musicians, artists, designers and more. Emergency resources and a list of organizations providing cash assistance to those who have experienced loss through a natural disaster are available as well as a creative recovery exchange, where members of the creative community can post their needs and those with resources to offer can donate.
Contributions are 100 percent tax deductible and 100 percent will go to eligible recipients. For more information, go to www.creativesonoma.org
Innovations in Art
When Rami Batarseh purchased a run-down building on River Road four years ago, he had no vision of what it would become. As an investment opportunity, the building, a former chicken slaughterhouse and circus animal-housing facility (dating back to the 1800s), needed a revamp. Today, it’s the home of Fulton Crossing, an artisan center with more than 23 studios, 35 artists, a large main gallery with three showrooms and two warehouses featuring the work of many local Sonoma County artists.
“I bought the building for investment purposes,” says Batarseh. “It looked like a war zone.” After years of renovation, Batarseh created a space he is proud to share with the North Bay community. “Our goal is to bring awareness to why it’s important to buy original art directly from artists,” he says.
The gallery is a perfect stop for Wine Country visitors. “We’re the gateway to the Russian River wineries. They pass us to get there,” says Batarseh. He also works with local wineries, blending the two industries.“We collaborate with local wineries for social events. The two go well together. Creating artwork and creating wine—they’re both forms of art.”
Art at Fulton Crossing ranges in price from $100 to the most expensive piece by famed artist, Tony Speirs, for $15,000.
The gallery is open to the public Saturday’s and Sunday’s from noon to 5 p.m. and every third Friday of the month from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. where guests can come for free, sip wine, eat food and enjoy local art. For more information, go to www.fultoncrossing.com
