Petaluma Arts Center Education Programs

Petaluma Arts Center Education Programs are part of a broader arts center that presents rotating exhibitions featuring local, regional, and national artists. The programs include educational classes and workshops, as well as community events and performances. The center also provides professional development and support for artists through its membership programs.

• Schedule: HOURS Thursdays - Sundays 12:00pm - 4:00pm
• Price: $200/hr • 2-hr minimum (for space rental)

Petaluma Arts Center began in June 1998 as a grassroots community initiative known as the Petaluma Arts Council and has operated in its permanent home since 2008. Its mission is “Building Community Through Art.” The center is described as a vital hub and inclusive creative community center for all ages and is recognized for fostering connection through creativity, education, and community-focused programs. It generates six shows a year and focuses on concepts or themes that support more local and Bay Area artists rather than a single artist, and it features a Gallery Boutique with ceramics, jewelry, textiles, note cards, and other work created by member artists. Petaluma Arts Center states a commitment to inclusivity, engagement, and the celebration of diverse artistic voices throughout Sonoma County, and it holds an annual review of its diversity, equity, and inclusion goals by examining its board, staff, volunteers, and programming.

The leadership team includes Executive Director Doreen Aviv; Board President Lisa Lightman; Board Treasurer Alan Federman; Board Secretary D’Lynda Fischer; Board Members Bill Kane, Amy Eldridge, Pari Azari, and Matt Knight; Board Member Emeritus Pat Martin; Volunteer & Memberships Manager Chris Alexander; Program Manager Maggie Parr; and Gallery Manager Kim Lampi. Doreen Aviv has over twelve years of experience in the arts, film, and nonprofit sectors with a focus on arts management, marketing, fundraising, and community engagement. Alan Federman is a Certified Public Accountant and Vice President of Finance at Canvas Construction, Inc., with prior finance leadership roles at companies including Patreon and ClassPass. Lisa Lightman studied art at the Massachusetts College of Art and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts and has combined work in art with a career in state government, including twenty years in San Francisco. D’Lynda Fischer holds degrees in Business, Urban Planning, and Sustainability, and Gallery Manager Kim Lampi is an artist with a Fine Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Board Member Bill Kane has received two NEA Fellowships and several other grants and is listed in Who’s Who of American Art.

Last updated March 28, 2026.