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Discover Calaveras: An Art Gallery Guide

Looking to explore art in Calaveras? Calaveras is a haven for creators and lovers of the arts of all different mediums. Surrounded by never-ending natural inspiration and art events throughout the year, art lovers from everywhere come to experience and explore our art galleries, live theatre performances, and ceramic, painting, and poetry/writing workshops.

Summer/Fall Art Lovers Tip: Farmers markets are a great way to meet artists in person, and sometimes even see them at work. Available from late Spring through early Fall, you can explore local Calaveras farmers markets here.

1. Angels Camp

Prestidge Gallery

124 S. Main Street Angels Camp, CA

Located in charming, historic downtown Angels Camp next to Crusco’s Ristorante, Prestidge Gallery and framing shop features local photography and art. Bring in your photos, prints or art to be framed and choose from their wide variety of mats and framing styles.

Calaveras Art Gallery Guide
Prestidge Gallery I Courtesy of Kaedence Eaton

Hide & Barrel

301 Demarest, Angels Camp, CA – Hide and Barrel offers high quality, solid wood home furnishings that are built to last. They specialize in those one of a kind pieces you won’t find in those big box stores. Everything is hand-crafted from the ground up with a meticulous eye for detail. Have an idea for a unique piece? Email them today for a quote on a custom piece!

2. Arnold

Millworkz

2599-A, Highway 4, Arnold, CA

This environmentally responsible wood mill has a myriad of wood pieces for your next DIY project. New logs arrive to their location often, and instead of being wasted and burned, Millworkz repurposes the slabs of wood into art, or you can choose to make your own artistic interpretation from their vast inventory. A leader in their industry, Millworkz uses beetle-killed trees, naturally fallen trees, or trees that PG&E has deemed a danger to power lines, and turned this wood into beautiful works of art. Millworkz says “When trees are cut down, not only does carbon absorption cease, but also the carbon stored in the trees is released into the atmosphere as CO2 if the wood is burned or even if it is left to rot after the deforestation process. We are repurposing what most of the industry is disposing of into the environment”. Open every day 10:00 to 5:30 except Sundays and Tuesdays (which are available by appointment).

Lackler Ceramics

7278 Highway 4 Arnold, CA I 209-432-3092 I Find even more to do in Arnold here.

Lackler Ceramics provides a welcome space for potters of all levels to create beautiful pieces in a warm, nurturing environment.  Local artist, Katie Lackler, offers workshops for those artist looking for a place to create plus, you can purchase artwork from the gallery including dinnerware, mugs, planters, and gifts. See something you like? May as well buy it now because it probably won’t be there long, and everything here is one-of-a-kind beauty.

Lackler Ceramics

Artsy Parts 

1004 Hwy 4 Suites 2 & 3 Arnold, CA 95223 I 1-209-600-1565 I Find even more to do in Arnold here.

Part art studio, learning center, gallery, and art supplies store, Artsy Parts in Arnold, CA does a little bit of everything art related. The newest addition to Calaveras County’s thriving arts community, discover all of the art-related opportunities and services Artsy Parts provides by reading more about Artsy Parts here. 

Artsy Parts
Artsy Parts artisan handmade jewelry I Courtesy of Artsy Parts

3. Mokelumne Hill

Petroglyphe Gallery

8317 Main St. Mokelumne Hill, CA I 209.286.1387 I Find even more to do in Mokelumne Hill here.

Set amid the intimate township of Mokelumne Hill, a charming historic gold mining town, Petroglyphe Gallery is known as one of the finest boutique art galleries in Northern California. The gallery represents leading California and nationally known award winning artists in a wide variety of subject matter and mediums.

A perfect setting for art, Petroglyphe Gallery is filled with natural light and elegant architectural detail.  Admire unique handcrafted jewelry as well as original contemporary works of art in oil, acrylic, watercolor, ceramic and glass.  Petroglyphe Gallery also features monthly artist demonstrations and workshops as well as seasonal classical music concerts.

Petroglyphe Gallery, Mokelumne Hill
Petroglyphe Gallery, Mokelumne Hill

ART Lives Here

8367 Center Street, Mokelumne Hill, CA – Artist Sue Smith, a long time local Calaveras County artist, has branched out to realize her dream project of showcasing local artists’ works as well as her own in downtown Mokelumne Hill across from Renegade Winery. She offers studio space to artists as well as a small area for special antiques. Next door, at Moke Hill Miscellany, owners Sloane Dell’Orto and her son, Christopher Dell’Orto Hefner, you can find locally created art and crafts, custom Moke Hill merchandise, and more. Be sure to stop in and say hello!

4. Murphys

Independent Mercantile

237 A Main St. Murphys, CA I 209.728.8963 I Find even more to do in Murphys here.

Independent, in historic downtown Murphys, serves to nurture the pursuits of artists and artisans carrying thoughtfully crafted, beautifully designed, functional, well priced, one-of-a-kind, long lasting, environmentally conscious products that tell a story.  Here, you can find hand-crafted jewelry by Linda Trent, sculpture by Staria Stine and ceramics by Jill Compton, among others.  BONUS: Head down Main Street Murphys to Allegorie Wines. The building is easily identified by the beautiful mural created by local artist Staria Stine and has become a popular landmark in Murphys.

Allégorie's exterior
Allégorie’s exterior features a mural  open to the public.

Art on Main

466 B Main St. Murphys, CA I 209.728.1888 I Find even more to do in Murphys here.

Art on Main is a contemporary fine art gallery offering original art from local artists and fine art reproductions, including oils, watercolors, pastels, acrylics, etchings, photography, sculpture, glass, textiles, and jewelry. Also featured is a large collection of original and printed note cards, ready for sending or framing. Artists who display their art also meet and greet the public, providing personal knowledge of the artwork and their fellow artists.  Visit often to see the transformation of the gallery: every four months new artwork is displayed and a new local artist’s work is featured.

Art On Main

Serendipity

363 Main Street, Murphys, CA I 209-584-4773

Murphy’s one stop shop for all things handmade, Serendipity is boutique-style arts and craft shop, as well as a local artisan collective. They offer art of many mediums for sale as well as workshops to learn a craft.  Or, if you are just itching to start creating something yourself, they have so many unique crafting supplies for you to really get your creative juices flowing. Whether you are a maker, or you like to support small shop makers, they have you covered!

Quyle Kilns

3353 E. Highway 4 Murphys, CA I 209.728.3562 I Find even more to do in Murphys here.

Quyle Kilns is the oldest family owned and operated production business in Murphys, producing handmade pottery as well as mining and processing raw clays. Featuring beautiful, hand-crafted ceramics available for purchase in their showroom as well as pottery, winery and clay production tours and summer classes in blacksmithing, wheel throwing, mold making, as well as additional guest artist offerings. After  touring the pottery and clay production facility, make sure to checkout the  working blacksmith shop as well as their 1825 Columbian printing press. Afterwards, stroll across the way to award winning sister business, Brice Station Tasting Room and Vineyards for some refreshing nibbles and sips.

Quyle Kilns showroom, Murphys ca
Quyle Kilns Showroom

Visiting during the summer? Keep an eye out for Brice Stations’ Hilltop Summer Concert Series as well as the annual award winning Shakespeare on the Vine Theatre Company productions. With an unofficial connection to the Ashland Shakespeare Festival (through local company Director Tara Kayton’s curriculum vitae), and a 100+ year family connection to Shakespearean Theater, you won’t want to miss their outdoor out-of-this-world annual productions.

5. San Andreas Art Gallery Guide

Calaveras County Arts Council Gallery

22 N. Main St. San Andreas I 209.754.1774 I Find even more to do in the San Andreas area here.

A non-profit collaboration promoting art appreciation throughout Calaveras County, the Calaveras County Arts Council Gallery showcases work by local artists at their rugged and historic San Andreas location. In addition to their beautiful gallery store and public education programs, the Calaveras Arts Council annually sponsors and organizes numerous great events throughout the year. Two of their most beloved events include the annual Music in the Park series during the summer and the Calaveras Artist Studio Tour each fall.

Artist Studio Tour
Photo Courtesy Calaveras Arts Council

Manzanita Arts Emporium

325 Lewis Avenue, San Andreas, CA I 209.728.6171 I Find even more to do in Angels Camp here.

Manzanita Arts Emporium is not only an art gallery and artists co-op, but is also a bustling center for the arts. Featuring everything from storytelling and other literary arts to artisan musical instruments, jewelry and visual arts. Offering monthly and annual events, classes, and workshops, you can also buy Manzanita Writers Press published books by local authors.

Manzanita Arts Emporium

6. Valley Springs

Artworks Studio California

1906 Vista Del Lago Dr. (in front of Suite A), Valley Springs, CA I 209.304.3402 I Find even more things to do in the Valley Springs area here.

Located in the heart of the Valley Springs tri-lake area, Artworks Studio features the work of husband and wife team Rory and Lisa Gage. Featuring decorative, functional art, pottery & sculpture, hand-blown glass, jewelry, and fine art commissions of landscapes, seascapes, portraits and wildlife studies, the gallery is one of the few locations in Calaveras that is open 7 days a week.

Artworks Studio, Valley Springs, CA

Bonus: Annual Art Event

Calaveras Artists Studio Tour

Each fall, local participating artists throughout Calaveras open their studios for you to explore. Save the date for September 2024 and learn more about the Calaveras Artists Studio Tour here.

Art Gallery
Each fall art enthusiasts get a chance to watch local artists at work during the Calaveras Artist Studio Tour, such as Mountain Ranch baseBrownell Ceramics (pictured above).

Love art in all its varieties? Explore the Calaveras music scene and Calaveras farmers markets ( a great place to connect with local makers) here. Did you know many wine tasting rooms throughout the county feature the work of local artists? Explore Calaveras wineries and tasting rooms here. Looking for something in particular? Our office is here to help 7 days a week. We are available by phone at 1-209-736-0049, email at info@gocalaveras.com or in person at 753 S. Main St. in Angels Camp, CA.

Happy art exploring!

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