By: Hollie Malamud, Pence Gallery
Image: Aniko Kiezel
Art is the heart of everything we do at the Pence Gallery. For nearly five decades, the Pence Gallery has been at the core of the Davis and Yolo County arts community—a place where creativity thrives, friendships grow, and art inspires connection and conversation. As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2026, we’re celebrating the incredible artists who have filled our galleries over the years and the members, donors, and sponsors who make everything we do possible.
The Pence is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit art gallery that depends upon the public for support. We do not receive any funding from our local, regional, or state government. Our goal is to advance the arts and serve the public. Our mission is to serve the community by showcasing high-caliber art exhibits, supporting the development of local and regional artists, and providing informative programs for visitors of all ages. Every exhibition, program, and educational experience we offer is supported entirely through community generosity, through people like you who believe that art enriches lives. Memberships, exhibit sponsorships, and donations are the lifeblood of the Pence. Community generosity ensures that our doors remain open to all and that our exhibitions and programs continue to inspire, educate, and connect.
For the past seven years, we’ve kept our membership rates the same because we believe that art should be for everyone. By keeping membership affordable, starting at $65 a year, we invite families, students, and neighbors from all walks of life to experience the joy of art firsthand, meet artists, learn, be inspired, and share in the magic that happens when people come together around creativity. When you join, you’re helping sustain a place where imagination is celebrated, ideas are shared, and the arts remain a vital part of our community, making a lasting difference for today and for the next fifty years.
When you become a member of the Pence, you’re joining a larger community of art enthusiasts and lovers who value creativity, expression, and connection. Members enjoy early access to exhibitions and events, invitations to special receptions, and discounts on workshops, programs, and at the Pence Gallery gift shop. More importantly, however, you become part of something bigger: a committed and shared communal effort to keep the arts alive and thriving in our community.
With the holidays just around the corner, so is one of our most-loved traditions—the Pence Holiday Market, opening November 14th! Each year, the gallery transforms into a festive showcase bursting with creativity, featuring handcrafted art, jewelry, textiles, and other unique treasures made by local and regional artists. It’s the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gifts. Every purchase supports the Pence Gallery and the talented artists who make our region so vibrant. Members enjoy early access, giving them a head start on their holiday shopping!
If you’re looking for a meaningful and distinctive gift this season, consider giving the gift of a Pence membership, an experience that lasts long after the holidays are over. An annual membership opens the door to creativity, connection, and inspiration all year long, while supporting a well-loved community institution that brings people together through art.
Looking ahead to our 50th anniversary in 2026, we’re reflecting on what has made the Pence such a beloved organization. Over the years, our gallery has grown into an energetic hub that brings people together—through exhibitions that spark conversation, educational programs that nurture creativity, and events that remind us of the power of art to connect and inspire.
We’re deeply grateful for the support that has sustained us for nearly fifty years, and we’re excited to continue building a future where art is accessible to all. Every membership, exhibit sponsorship, and donation directly supports our exhibitions, community programs, and the artists who share their vision with us.
If you haven’t joined yet—or if it’s time to renew—now is the perfect moment to find your peeps at the Pence Gallery! Together, we will continue building community through art, ensuring that the Pence Gallery remains a place of creativity, inspiration, and belonging for the next fifty years and beyond.
Visit pencegallery.org to learn more about membership, sponsorships, and upcoming events, or email Development Manager Hollie Malamud at pencedevelopment@gmail.com. She will happily welcome you to the Pence family!
