Sarah Lam: Beyond Formalities
2026-01-07 - 2026-02-07 | John Natsoulas Gallery, 521 1st St, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Beyond Formalities – Sarah Lam
January 7 – February 7, 2026
This body of work portrays the psychological state of the individual that goes beyond traditional portraiture. Use of color, symbolism, cast shadows, semi-three dimensional elements, and embedded shadow boxes are meant to reveal the inner thoughts and character of the model. There are recurring themes in the work which include nature, the state of the planet, human connection to animals, youth, and mental health. The subjects for my artwork are people I have a connection to; family members, students, and friends.
The paintings are created using a combination of oil paints and mixed media techniques on wood panel. Acrylic mediums were employed for textural effects including gritty, cracked, and sculpted areas. A laser cutter was used to add and remove elements within the panel in order to achieve added depth and multi-layers. Matte medium and other adhesive techniques were applied to attach cloth and paper to the works. In addition poured Epoxy was used to replicate the effects of water in some paintings.
The opening reception will coincide with the Downtown Davis 2nd Friday ArtAbout January 9, from 7-9pm. It will feature live music and free refreshments.

Call for Artists! Pence Gallery Emerging Artist Award 2026
2026-01-07 - 2026-04-09 | Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Pence Gallery Emerging Artist Award 2026
Open now at www.callforentry.org
Deadline: April 9, 2026
The Pence Gallery Emerging Artist Award 2026 is now open for applications via www.callforentry.org. This award supports the creation of new work by emerging artists in California and the opportunity to share that work through an exhibit and an artist talk in January-February 2027 at the Pence.
Artists must use the award of $4000 to further their work in a significant direction, and may work in any medium, except for video or sound art. ‘Emerging’ is defined as an artist early in their art career, who has limited experience exhibiting, but not an extensive solo exhibit history. The artist’s submitted work must be of high caliber, original, and completed within the past five years.
Applications must include a resume, an artist statement, and 10-15 digital images of current work, by 9 PM PST on April 9, 2026. The application fee is $40 ($35 for Pence Members). The winner will be announced by April 29.
This award is sponsored by Rosa Marquez & Yatish Mishra.
Questions? Email Natalie Nelson at penceartdirector@gmail.com.

Sahar Khoury: Weights & Measures
2026-01-07 - 2026-06-20 | Manetti Shrem Museum (Shrem), 254 Old Davis Rd.
Sahar Khoury’s largest solo exhibition to date, Sahar Khoury: Weights & Measures, expands on her 2023 solo exhibition, Sahar Khoury: Umm, at the Wexner Center for the Arts in Ohio. The Oakland-based artist is inspired by familial and global histories, food, music, and mourning. The exhibition features a reconfigured clock tower sculpture that alludes to market structures in the Eastern Mediterranean Levant region, and new works in ceramic and bronze that speak to familial and cultural ties across time.
Curated by Susie Kantor, associate curator and exhibition department head
On view January 7–June 20, 2026

Vases & Steins
2026-01-07 15:30 - 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Davis Arts Center, 1919 F St, Davis, 95616, United States
Learn how to make a vase or stein in this two-day workshop! Students will create functional artwork by rolling out slabs and sculpting their own custom pieces. Whether you want a unique decoration for your home or a handmade gift, this workshop will guide you through the full process from forming to finishing.
This is a two-day workshop, and attending both days is required. All materials will be provided.
Day one: Sculpting vase or stein
Day two: Glazing
Instructor: Vex Rios (They/Them/Theirs)
AGES 16+
Price: $60
Time: 3:30-5:30pm
Workshop dates:
Wednesdays, January 7 & 14

Beginner French Adults
2026-01-07 17:30 - 18:30 | Davis Language Academy, 231 G St, suite 23, Davis, ca
Beginner French Adults
FREE IN JANUARY
Registration required by emailing: davislanguageacademy@gmail.com
Ages- Adults
Days – Wednesday 5:30-6:30 pm
Description: Beginner French class focused on basic and practical conversational skills.
Address: 732 Third St, suite B

Stacey Pelinka, Flute
2026-01-08 12:00 - 13:00 | Recital Hall, Ann E. Pitzer Center, Hutchison Dr. & Cushing Way, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Stacey Pelinka and Zhanar Zheltyrguzova, flutes
Joe Edelberg, violin
Marc Teicholz, guitar
Works by Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, Hendel Almétus, Béla Bartók, Wil Offermans, and Sérgio Assad.

Astronomy on Tap Davis
2026-01-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Sudwerk Brewing Co., 2001 2nd St, Davis, CA, 95618, United States
Hey AoT Davis fans!
Our second event will be on January 8th from 6-8pm at Sudwerk Brewing!
We will have two talks from members of the UC Davis Physics & Astronomy department.
Sam Schmidt will talk about:
Mapping the Universe in Six Colors with The Rubin Observatory
and
Emilija Pantic will talk about:
Searching for Particle Dark Matter Underground
As always, there will be good food and beer. See you all there!
The AoT Davis Team

AI & Your Brain: Davis Parent University Hosts Jacob Ward
2026-01-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Richard Brunelle Performance Hall, 315 W 14th Street, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
AI & Your Brain: Davis Parent University Hosts Jacob Ward on January 8, 7 PM
AI is changing our world at a dizzying, unsettling pace – in ways most of us don’t understand.
How can we unpack AI’s risks, separate out our anxiety, and work to amplify the best parts of being human?
How can we grapple with AI in ways that are informed, clear-eyed, and ethical?
If you’re eager for deeply-researched answers to these questions, then please join Davis Parent University on Thursday, January 8th at 7 PM at Brunelle Theater for a fireside chat about AI between Jacob Ward, former NBC News correspondent and author of The Loop: How AI Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back, and Pamela Wu, Director of News and Media Relations for UC Davis Health.
A veteran journalist covering the intersection of technology, human behavior, and social change, Jake explores the big, invisible forces like AI that are acting on us every day. Jake and Pam will share the stage at Brunelle for a 50 minute moderated conversation followed by a 30 minute audience Q&A and then a book signing. Jake welcomes high school students to attend!
Check out Jake’s quick video about his event HERE.
FREE tickets HERE.
When: Thursday, January 8th, 7 – 8:30 PM PST
Where: Brunelle Theater, 315 W. 14th St, Davis (on the Davis High School campus)
LISTEN. LAUGH. LEARN.
Davis Parent University
davisparentuniversity.com

Worn
2026-01-09 - 2026-02-08 | Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Worn
Exhibit: January 9 – February 8, 2026
Reception: Friday, January 9, 6-9 PM (free)
Clothing that we wear often reflects our personal identity, our culture, or both. Participating artists in Worn explore this theme, illustrating how clothing is a large part of how we see ourselves and how ordinary garments can hold memories and meaning.
Participating artists include Ren Allathkani, José Arenas, Federica Armstrong, Karthika Baiju, Alaine Blaise, Pinar Brummer, Sue Bradford, Yi-Chuan Chen, Raquel Cox, Katie DelaVaughn, John Fortes, Nola George, Jori Jori, Katherine Klein, Cheryl Lobenberg, Ro Mottsmith, Joanne Tepper Saffren, Deziree Seidner, Susan Silvester, Melanie Walas, Susan Broadhurst Werrin, and Patricia Whang.
This exhibit is sponsored by Joe & Haven DePietro.
Image: Jori Jori, “Scraps”

Charlene Will: Here for a While
2026-01-09 - 2026-02-28 | Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Charlene Will: Here for a While
Exhibit: January 9 – February 28, 2026
Reception: Friday, January 9, 6-9 PM (free)
Charlene Will’s work is rooted in a reverence for nature. Through her abiding interest in exploring the depths of California’s remote wilderness areas, she seeks to reaffirm basic universal truths, from an interest in beauty and nature’s rebirth, to the duality between chaos and order. Working with oils on canvas, she uses traditional and self-taught brushwork, glazes, and the removal of layers to reveal the ephemeral qualities of light and color found in various natural ecosystems.
Artist Talk with Charlene Will
Saturday, January 31, 2-3:30 PM
$10 (Free for Students & Members)
The artist will give a walk-through of her work, covering her favorite locations to paint, how color and light inspires her, and the noticeable effects of climate on the natural world. Walking, observing, and moving through wilderness areas are paramount to her process, and she’ll provide glimpses into how her work evolves.
Charlene Will is the recipient of the 2025 Pence Gallery Emerging Artist Award. The Award and exhibit are sponsored by Rosa Marquez & Yatish Mishra.
Image: Charlene Will, “Anza Borrego”

Live@DCC Free Noon Concert Series - TriMusica!
2026-01-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Davis Community Church (DCC), 412 C Street, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
TriMusica, with clarinetist Sandra McPherson, cellist Susan Lamb Cook, and pianist John Cozza, presents two centuries of clarinet trios – an engaging program of works by Ludwig van Beethoven, French composer Louise Farrenc, and Bay Area composer Durwin Hsieh.

2nd Friday ArtAbout reception: Lorie Topinka
2026-01-09 17:00 - 19:30 | Logos Books, 513 2nd Street, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Here’s To The Memories From San Miguel de Allende
Lorie Topinka
Watercolor
January 6 to January 31
2nd Friday ArtAbout Reception: January 9, 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Logos Books, 513 Second Street, Davis, CA, 95616
San Miguel de Allende (Guanajuato, Mexico) is a magical place and it didn’t take long for Lorie Topinka to fall under its spell after moving there in 2012. While the town of San Miguel is a world class tourist attraction, the enduring magic for her was in the surrounding countryside. For many years she explored the countryside with paint brush in hand and focused on the abundant capillas (chapels) and historic ruins (haciendas, dams, bridges) in the area.
Our exhibit features paintings from these books and paintings from Topinka’s private collection highlighting the people and festivals of San Miguel de Allende.
– The Capillas of San Miguel de Allende: A Legacy of Faith
– Traveling the Back Roads of San Miguel: Snippets of Paintable History
“As a watercolor artist, I am drawn to bold colors and iconic images. Whenever I am painting, I get lost for a time in the looking and seeing. There is no time, nor distance, nor separation between me and the object or scene. This creative process is joyful and I try to represent, with color, this joy.”
Contact Topinka about her work and to purchase pieces at topinka.lorie@gmail.com. You can purchase her books at Amazon.com.
Meet Lorie Topinka at her 2nd Friday ArtAbout reception on January 9 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Friday Evening at the Winery
2026-01-09 17:00 - 20:00 | Great Bear Vineyards (Great Bear), 24800 County Rd 101A
🍷 Friday Evenings at Great Bear Vineyards 🍷
January 9th | 5–8pm
Ticket includes your first glass of wine
Kick off your weekends the cozy way. Join us for relaxed winter Friday nights at Great Bear Vineyards—perfect for unwinding, catching up, and savoring great wine as the sun goes down.
While live music takes a seasonal breather in January & February, our tasting room stays open from 5–8pm with plenty of wine, warm vibes, and space to linger. Enjoy wine by the glass or bottle, wine tastings, and snacks available for purchase. You’re also welcome to bring your own picnic or favorite “to-go” dinner and make it an easy, unhurried evening at the vineyard.
Whether you’re easing into the new year or just craving a laid-back Friday night out, these winter evenings are all about good wine, good company, and a little Great Bear magic.
Winter Hours:
• Thursday: 5–8pm
• Friday: noon–8pm
• Saturday: noon–5pm
Grab a friend, grab a glass, and start your weekend with us 🍷✨

2nd Friday ArtAbout
2026-01-09 17:00 - 21:00 | Downtown Davis Various Locations
New year, new art adventure! Check out art receptions, pop-ups, open studios, live music, and more in Downtown Davis & beyond the evening of January 9. This is a great free event to enjoy with friends and family each month. Participating venues:
Arboretum Art Works, 17 Arboretum Dr, Suites G & H | 5:30-7:30 PM
Sit for a portrait by Daniela Lares & visit the artists
The Artery, 207 G St | 6-9 PM
Perfectly Square group show
Davis Community Church, 412 C St | 12-1 PM
LIVE@DCC: Second Friday Free Noon Concert by TriMusica
Logos Books, 513 2nd St | 5-7:30 PM
Here’s to the Memories from San Miguel de Allende by Lorie Topinka
The Paint Chip, 217 F St | 6-8:30 PM
Ann Privateer: Beginnings
Pence Gallery, 212 D St | 6-9 PM
Charlene Will: Here for a While
Worn group show
Maris Kaplan: Amateur
Maryann Steinert-Foley & Diane Williams: The Realm of Possibility
Third Space Art Collective, 17 Arboretum Dr, Unit C | 5-8 PM
El Común group show
[OFF-MAP EVENT]
Circle A Studio, 1930 5th St | 5:30-8 PM
The Book as Art group show
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The ArtAbout is coordinated by the Pence Gallery and sponsored by Signature Sponsor Willowgrove and the Davis Downtown Business Association. To support this free community offering as a sponsor, please visit https://pencegallery.org/events/artabout/.
Images:
Jori Jori, “Scraps” (Pence Gallery)
Phil Gross, “Tree” (The Artery)
Tom Corbett, Untitled (Circle A Studio)
Amy Teutemacher, Untitled (Arboretum Art Works)

The Book as Art
2026-01-09 17:30 - 20:00 | OmSoft Technologies (OmSoft), 1930 5th St.
Following on the Content Artist Book Show, Circle A Studio is proud to host a group exhibition of mind bending, soul enriching explorations on the concept of what is a book? Artists books have a particular license to embody both art as a book and books as art. This one-day, pop-up exhibit offers the opportunity for the public to be able to discuss books with their local makers. Book artists include Nikki Thompson, Marie-Thérèse Brown, Tom Corbett, Adele Louise Shaw, and others!

2nd Friday ArtAbout at the Pence Gallery
2026-01-09 18:00 - 21:00 | Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Join us at the Pence Gallery for our 2nd Friday ArtAbout reception on January 9, 6-9 PM. Enjoy browsing multiple art exhibits, complimentary wine, and an art-themed scavenger hunt. Free admission!
Maryann Steinert-Foley & Diane Williams: The Realm of Possibility | Dec. 12 – Feb. 1
Diane Williams and Maryann Steinert-Foley’s exhibit explores the persistence, generosity, and unseen forces that sustain both nature and humanity. View layered mixed-media paintings by Williams and sculptural works by Steinert-Foley.
Charlene Will: Here for a While | Jan. 9 – Feb. 28
View a solo exhibit by Charlene Will, the recipient of the 2025 Pence Gallery Emerging Artist Award. Her work is rooted in a reverence for nature. Working with oils on canvas, she uses traditional and self-taught brushwork, glazes, and the removal of layers to reveal the ephemeral qualities of light and color found in various natural ecosystems.
Worn | Jan. 9 – Feb. 8
Clothing that we wear often reflects our personal identity, our culture, or both. Participating artists in Worn explore this theme, illustrating how clothing is a large part of how we see ourselves and how ordinary garments can hold memories and meaning.
Maris Kaplan: Amateur | Jan. 9 – Feb. 18
With a focus on sustainability, Maris Kaplan’s work often incorporates secondhand materials such as thrifted fabric, upcycled clothing, and found objects. On display along the stairway, this series showcases experimentation with new techniques and materials, embracing wobbly lines, crooked stitches, unexpected shapes, and random color combinations.
Scavenger Hunt: Join us for a fun, art-themed scavenger hunt at the Pence during the 2nd Friday ArtAbout. Complete all of the clues by exploring our exhibits for the chance to win a special prize.
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Visit the Pence and other venues in Downtown Davis for the 2nd Friday ArtAbout artwalk. We will have printed ArtAbout guides available that week. Follow the ArtAbout’s Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/davisartabout.
Images:
Diane Williams, “A Quiet Red” (detail)
Charlene Will, ”Creekside”
Joanne Tepper Saffren, “Sincerely Blue”
Maris Kaplan, work from “Purge Trio”

Legally Blonde
2026-01-09 19:30 - 22:30 | Davis Musical Theatre Co. (DMTC), 607 Pena Dr.
Legally Blonde – January 9 through February 1, 2026
Underwritten by Michael & Alice Smith
Fabulously fun and based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde The Musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. This action-packed musical explodes on the stage with memorable songs and dynamic dances. Equally parts hilarious and heartwarming, this musical is so much fun it should be illegal.
Recommended for ages 11 and up
Directed by Kyle Jackson
Choreographed by Kyle Jackson

Olio Nuovo Olive & Cheese Box Pairing
2026-01-10 12:00 - 17:00 | Great Bear Vineyards (Great Bear), 24800 County Rd 101A
🫒 Olio Nuovo Olive & Cheese Box 🧀
Saturday, January 10th | 12–5pm
Ticket includes Olio Nuovo Olive & Cheese Box
Optional add-on: glass of wine for $15 🍷
It’s Olio Nuovo season—and if you know, you know. Join us at Great Bear Vineyards to celebrate this just-pressed, ultra-fresh olive oil at its most vibrant and delicious.
Our Olio Nuovo is bold, grassy, and beautifully alive—glowing green with aromas of fresh-cut herbs, artichoke, and green almond. On the palate it’s silky yet peppery, with that signature gentle bite that lingers (hello antioxidants 👋). This is olive oil at peak freshness: expressive, nourishing, and meant to be enjoyed right now.
Your Olive & Cheese Box is thoughtfully curated to let the oil shine:
Marin French Cheese Company Round – creamy, soft, and lightly tangy
Rustic bread for generous dipping
Sweet apricots & fig jam to balance the oil’s lively edge
Simple. Communal. Utterly satisfying.
Pair it with a glass of Great Bear wine, grab a sunny spot, and savor Olio Nuovo the way it’s meant to be experienced—fresh, expressive, and shared at the table. A delicious way to slow down and taste the season 🫒✨
Limited availability—this is a fleeting seasonal treat you don’t want to miss.

A Conversation with the Artists: Diane Williams & Maryann Steinert-Foley
2026-01-10 14:00 - 15:30 | Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
A Conversation with the Artists
Saturday, January 10, 2-3:30 PM
$10 (Free for Students & Members)
Join us for a fun and stimulating talk with artists Diane Williams and Maryann Steinert-Foley, whose exhibit The Realm of Possibility is currently on display at the Pence. Director Natalie Nelson will facilitate the conversation on their respective processes, layers of meaning in the work, and the balance between art and life.
The Realm of Possibility is on display from December 12, 2025 – February 1, 2026.
Images: Maryann Steinert-Foley (left) and Diane Williams (right) in their studios

The Art of Fermentation: Workshop & Tasting
2026-01-10 15:00 - 16:30 | International House (I-House), 10 College Pk.
Join us for The Art of Fermentation: A Hands-On Workshop & Tasting Experience, led by artist Lorena Rodriguez. This interactive program explores the history, cultural significance, and creative traditions of fermentation across cultures, highlighting how fermented foods and beverages bring people together.
Participants will engage in guided discussion and hands-on learning while discovering fermentation as both a cultural practice and an art form. The experience concludes with a curated tasting featuring traditional fermented beverages such as Chicha de Maíz and Tepache, offering a flavorful way to connect theory with practice.
Designed for curious beginners and food enthusiasts alike, this workshop invites community members to learn, taste, and connect in a welcoming and inclusive setting. No prior experience is required.

Author Talk: Sasha Abramsky
2026-01-10 18:30 - 19:30 | The Avid Reader Bookstore, 617 2nd St., Davis, 95616
About the Book
A gripping narrative of federal workers caught in Trump’s second-term purge, and the devastating consequences for American democracy.
American Carnage follows eleven federal workers, in eight government agencies, from the time they were told they were fired in the early weeks of Donald Trump’s second presidential administration through to the summer of 2025. With Trump having empowered the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, and his Department of Government Efficiency, to make dramatic cuts to many of the country’s most important agencies, what unfolded in these months was a cascading tragedy of historic proportions.
Their stories, which show a country in a profound moment of crisis and dislocation, are America’s stories. What happened to them—the bullying, the intimidation, the deliberate removal of financial stability—also happened to hundreds of thousands of other employees. A fierce reckoning with the intimate and far-reaching effects of these layoffs, both on the individuals who lost their jobs and on the millions of Americans who found their access to basic government services curtailed, American Carnage is the first book-length account of how these cuts dulled and denuded our city on the hill, leaving a morally impoverished landscape in their wake.
About the Author
Sasha Abramsky is The Nation’s Western correspondent and the author of a weekly political column for the magazine. His work has also appeared in The Atlantic, The New Yorker Online, The New Republic, The Village Voice, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, and many other publications. He is the author of eleven books, including The American Way of Poverty: How the Other Half Still Lives, The House of Twenty Thousand Books, Little Wonder: The Fabulous Story of Lottie Dod, the World’s First Female Sports Superstar, and Chaos Comes Calling: The Battle Against the Far-Right Takeover of Small-Town America. Abramsky teaches writing at UC Davis. Follow him on Bluesky at @sashaabramsky.bsky.social.

Second Sunday Bingo
2026-01-11 12:00 - 16:00 | Davis Odd Fellows
Odd Fellows Bingo (LH)

When: Second Sunday of the month
Where: 415 2nd St, Davis, CA 95616, USA (map)

Description: Second Sunday Bingo at the Lodge. Doors open at noon and Bingo begins at 1 p.m. Open to all adults.
Davis Odd Fellows Bingo! is a wonderful way for the community to support the many needy non-profit organizations here in Davis. Each month, Davis Odd Fellows Bingo! connects with a local organization that needs assistance. Community members, friends, and family are encouraged and welcomed to come to the Davis Odd Fellows Lodge for an afternoon of to fun playing Davis Bingo. For as little as $12, you can sit with friends and chat or meet new people while helping people in our community.

Living Originally
2026-01-12 16:00 - 17:30 | Zoom
Over five weeks, we’ll explore powerful spiritual practices—from Radical Self-Awareness to Forgiveness and Reclaiming Your Creative Power—that guide us beyond the “false self” into authentic wholeness and inner freedom.
This highly experiential class includes spiritual teaching, guided meditation, journaling, and sacred conversation in a supportive virtual community.
OPTION 1: Mondays | January 12 – February 09, 2026 | 4:00–5:30 PM (PT)
Love Offering | On Zoom (link provided after registration)
Book: Living Originally by Robert Brumet (available at Unity.org, Amazon, or your favorite bookseller)
Questions? info@unityofdavis.org

Watercolor Painting with Misuk Goltz (6-sessions)
2026-01-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Watercolor Painting with Misuk Goltz
Tuesdays, 10 AM – 12 PM | Jan. 13, 20, 27 & Feb. 3, 10, 17
$195 Members | $215 Non-Members (Materials not included)
In this 6-week workshop, artist Misuk Goltz will guide students on how to create harmonious compositions, value studies of various subjects, and painterly watercolors using a limited palette. Watercolor references will be chosen from photographs taken during the artist’s recent travels to China, Korea, and Japan. For this workshop, participants should be familiar with the basics of drawing, watercolor painting, mixing colors, and gray scale. The use of good-quality watercolor supplies is recommended.
Register at https://pencegallery.org/education/programs/workshops-and-classes/.
Any questions? Email pencegallery@gmail.com.

Figure Drawing at the Pence
2026-01-14 18:30 - 21:00 | Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Figure Drawing Session
Wednesday, January 14, 6:30–9 PM
$15 Members, $22 Non-Members | Limited to 10 participants
Registration & payment is required in advance through the Pence’s website.
We hold self-guided figure drawing sessions with a nude model every 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month, from 6:30–9 PM. This group is for both experienced artists and amateurs to have an opportunity to draw from the nude model. If you have never drawn from a live model before and would like to join us, you are very welcome! People of all skill levels, ages 18 and up, are welcome and encouraged to join.
This is not a class, and no instruction is provided. The atmosphere is relaxed and non-competitive. Bring your own art materials, and we’ll provide a comfortable place to sketch or paint live models in our upstairs classroom space. Participants will work independently through a warm up with shorter poses and longer, twenty-minute poses. A staff member will be on-site to facilitate the group and to answer questions.
Register here: https://pencegallery.org/education/programs/figure-drawing/
Join the Meetup group: https://www.meetup.com/davisfigure/
Image: drawing by Deziree Seidner

Seraph Brass: Thursday Concert
2026-01-15 12:05 - 13:00 | Recital Hall, Ann E. Pitzer Center, Hutchison Dr. & Cushing Way, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Seraph Brass
Mary Elizabeth Bowden and Raquel Samayoa, trumpets
Layan Atieh, horn
Lauren Casey-Clyde, trombone
Robyn Black, tuba
Works by Edvard Grieg, Kevin Day, Gala Flagello, Franz Liszt, Teresa Carreño, Jeff Scott, Catherine McMichael, and Reena Esmail
Seraph Brass, now in its 12th season, was founded by trumpet soloist Mary Elizabeth Bowden with a mission to showcase the excellence of women brass players and highlight musicians from marginalized
groups, both in personnel and in programming. Winners of the American Prize in Chamber Music, the group has been praised for its “beautiful sounds” (American Record Guide), “fine playing” (Gramophone), and “staggeringly high caliber of performance” (Textura).
The ensemble tours nationally and globally, and its 2025–26 highlights included the premiere of Steven Juliani’s new concerto for Brass Quintet and Wind Ensemble alongside Jerry Junkin and the Dallas Winds, performances in Japan and across the U.S., as well as residencies at universities such as the University of Texas in Austin. Members of Seraph Brass are passionate about music education and hold faculty positions at Shenandoah Conservatory and Texas State University. In each of their tours, the group works to provide educational outreach to local schools.
Seraph Brass performs a diverse body of repertoire, ranging from original transcriptions to newly commissioned works and core classics. Seraph Brass is passionate about commissioning and premiering new works, and has released two albums showcasing these works, Asteria (Summit Records) and Showcase (Tower Grove Records).
Seraph Brass is a Yamaha Performing Group.

The Betty Jean and Wayne Thiebaud Endowed Lecture: Teju Cole and John Gossage
2026-01-15 16:30 - 18:00 | Manetti Shrem Museum (Shrem), 254 Old Davis Rd.
In a conversation format, the acclaimed photographers Teju Cole and John Gossage discuss their art during their appearance at the 2026 Betty Jean and Wayne Thiebaud Endowed Lecture at UC Davis. Cole is a novelist, essayist, and photographer. He was the photography critic of the New York Times Magazine from 2015 until 2019. He is currently the Gore Vidal Professor of the Practice of Creative Writing at Harvard and a contributing writer to the New York Times Magazine. Gossage is a photographer and bookmaker. Over the course of his nearly five-decade-long career, Gossage’s work has been featured in numerous exhibitions, and he has published over 30 books. In 2002, Gossage started his own publishing company, Loosestrife Editions. In 2021, he received the Guggenheim Fellowship.

Martin Luther King's Fight Against Poverty
2026-01-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Friends Meetinghouse, 345 L St, Davis, 345 L St, Davis, CA, 95616
Historian Rick Moniz will provide a retrospective of Martin Luther King’s work to alleviate poverty in the rural south and urban ghettos, and his legacy fighting for the poor. Following Rick Moniz’ talk, will be a discussion of the present housing crisis particularly as it applies to the unhoused in our community. Our hope is that we will be able to agree upon a plan to address the needs of the unhoused that is workable for the Davis community.

Photography Club of Davis
2026-01-15 19:10 - 20:45 | Mary L. Stephens Davis Branch Library Blanchard Room, 315 E 14th St, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
The Photography Club of Davis will meet on Thursday, January 15, at 7:10pm in the Blanchard Room of the Mary L. Stephens Library at 314 East 14th Street in Davis. The meeting will feature a photo critique of member-submitted images. Critiques tend to be positive learning experiences for both submitters and the general audience. Participants discuss “why does this image work” as well as “why does this image not work” and how the image may be improved. Attendees also learn about the techniques involved. The Photography Club of Davis meets every month on the third Thursday of the month (except July and August) and welcomes members of the public to attend.
“This event is not sponsored by Yolo County Library and the presence of this group in the meeting room does not constitute Yolo County Library’s endorsement of the policies or beliefs of this group.”

Healing Arts One-Time Workshop
2026-01-16 10:00 - 11:45 | Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis, CA, 95616, United States
Healing Arts One-Time Workshop
Friday, January 16, 10-11:45 AM
$5 Members, $10 Non-Members (all materials included)
Registration is required through the Pence’s website.
Part of the Pence’s Healing Arts Program and run by facilitator Amy Vidra, this one-time workshop focuses more broadly on themes related to depression, anxiety, or major life changes. Through the process of art making, participants will have opportunities for discussion, education, and connecting with peers in a safe and supportive space.
Space is limited to the first 8 participants who register through our website (REQUIRED). Participants must be 18 or older, and no art experience is necessary. This program is generously sponsored by Bob & Joanne Andresen.
REMINDER: Registration is required in advance through the Pence’s website at https://pencegallery.org/education/programs/workshops-and-classes/.
*If you register for this session and are unable to attend, please let us know in advance.
Any questions? Email pencegallery@gmail.com.
