Creative Presence
October 15–November 1, 2026
Stanislaus Arts Council | 1315 J Street, Downtown Modesto
A vibrant arts community grows through the artists who continue to show up, share their work, and invite others into the creative experience.
Creative Presence is a special invitational exhibition honoring the local artists whose consistent participation in the Modesto Art Walk has helped make downtown a place for discovery, conversation, and connection. Bringing together selections of their completed work, the exhibition offers an opportunity to look more closely at the individual practices and perspectives that contribute to our community’s creative identity.
Accompanying artist statements and reflections on individual pieces invite visitors to explore the stories, ideas, and experiences behind the art. Together, these works celebrate both artistic expression and the dedication that sustains a thriving local arts community.
Opening during the Dos Rios Arts and Cultural District Community Kickoff Celebration, Creative Presence connects this milestone with the artists who help give the district its character. Join us in celebrating their contributions and discovering the creativity taking shape close to home.
Opening Evening: Thursday, October 15
Modesto Art Walk: 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Dos Rios Community Kickoff Celebration: Begins at 6:00 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting: 6:10 p.m. at the Stanislaus Arts Council
Come meet the artists, explore their work, and celebrate the creative presence that enriches our community.
MADE HERE!
Mini Art. Major Creativity.
December 5, 2026 - January 14, 2027
A Community Exhibition Celebrating Local Artistry, Imagination, and the Art of Making
Small works. Boundless imagination. Made right here.
Creativity knows no boundaries, and extraordinary artistry is not measured by size.
The Stanislaus Arts Council proudly presents MADE HERE! Mini Art, a community exhibition celebrating the remarkable imagination, craftsmanship, and creative spirit found throughout Stanislaus County. Featuring original works measuring 12 inches or smaller, this exhibition invites us to discover the extraordinary possibilities of art on an intimate scale while recognizing the diverse talents and traditions that make our region's creative community so vibrant.
From miniature paintings and intricate ceramics to handcrafted jewelry, beadwork, textiles, sculpture, illustration, tattoo-inspired designs, and unconventional artistic expressions, MADE HERE! embraces creativity in all its forms. By welcoming both traditional and contemporary practices, the exhibition challenges conventional definitions of fine art and celebrates the artistry found in the objects we create, the skills we cultivate, and the stories we share.
At its heart, MADE HERE! is about more than small-scale artwork. It is a celebration of place, people, and possibility. Every piece represents an individual perspective, a creative journey, and a connection to the community in which it was made.
Past Exhibitions
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Past Exhibitions 〰️
The History of Low Riding: Culture, Community & Legacy Exhibition
September 8 - October 4, 2026
Through the perspectives of local artists, the exhibition honored creativity as an expression of cultural identity, craftsmanship, resilience, tradition and intergenerational storytelling.
Exhibition Details
This exhibition served as an opportunity to recognize that lowriding is far more than automotive culture. It represents a deeply rooted tradition of artistic innovation, cultural pride, storytelling, family legacy, and community resilience.
Through this exhibition, we sought to celebrate the artists, makers, cultural bearers, and communities who have helped preserve and advance this important cultural movement while creating space for contemporary artists to interpret and honor its lasting impact.
Art, Voice, and Community; Celebrating Stanislaus Young Creatives
July 15 - August 28, 2026
Exhibition Details
Art, Voice, and Community: Celebrating Stanislaus' Young Creatives is a celebration of the creativity, imagination, and diverse voices of the next generation in Stanislaus County. This inspiring exhibition features award-winning works by the Hispanic Youth Leadership Club’s members, awarded at the Stanislaus Latino Chamber of Commerce's Art & Speech Contest, and the Sweet Potato Pie Company CARES Program’s Juneteenth Art Contest winners, bringing together young artists whose work reflects the stories, cultures, and experiences that shape our community.
More than an exhibition, Art, Voice, and Community affirms the importance of investing in young creatives by providing a professional gallery experience that recognizes their artistic achievements and encourages continued exploration of the arts. Through writing, painting, and other creative expressions, these emerging artists invite visitors to experience their unique perspectives while fostering dialogue, understanding, and a deeper appreciation for the richness of our community.
At the Stanislaus Arts Council, we believe that creativity has the power to inspire, connect, and transform communities. By celebrating and supporting young artists today, we are helping cultivate the creative thinkers, storytellers, and cultural leaders who will shape the future of Stanislaus County for generations to come.
On exhibition from July 15- August 28
Admission is free, donations are always appreciated.
2026 Youth in Bloom Reception & Awards Ceremony. Photo of some of our young participating exhibition artists
May 20, 2026
California Native
Flora & Fauna
This exhibition will celebrate the beauty, diversity, and significance of the native plants and animals of our region.
June 4, 2025 - June 27, 2025
This exhibition will celebrate the beauty, diversity, and significance of the native plants and animals of our region and the natural beauty and ecological significance of Central California’s native species. This a unique opportunity to celebrate and support local art while drawing attention to the incredible natural world around us. We encourage artists of all backgrounds to participate and share their perspectives. The exhibition will be held at the Stanislaus Arts Council Gallery.
Fragments of the Mind; The Healing Power of Creativity
This powerful exhibition will explore the intersection of art and mental health, fostering awareness and promoting the healing power of creativity.
May 7, 2025 - May 29th, 2025
We invite artists to submit work for an upcoming exhibition focusing on Mental Health, Art, and Healing. The exhibition will run alongside "To Whom it May Concern," a special project by SAC Grant Recipient Andi Palma, which highlights the lived experiences of individuals dealing with mental health challenges.
Our goal is to create a platform for meaningful dialogue on mental health. This exhibition will bring together artists whose works shine a light on the profound connection between mental health and creativity, fostering understanding and promoting healing within our community.
“Emerging Artist “
This exhibition will highlight the exceptional work of emerging artists within Stanislaus County.
April 2, 2025 - May 2, 2025
This is an incredible opportunity to showcase your talent, engage with the community, and gain visibility in a professional gallery setting. Open to all artists in Stanislaus County, California. Artists must be within their first 5 years of exhibiting artwork, or have not shown work in an exhibition previously.
The theme is open to any subject matter and style. We welcome works that reflect your personal journey as an emerging artist and resonate with contemporary artistic practices. This exhibition celebrates the diversity, creativity, and unique perspectives of artists who are shaping the future of the arts in Stanislaus County.
“Young At Art “
An Exhibition by Stanislaus Arts Council for Young Creatives
March 5, 2025 - March 29, 2025
The Stanislaus Arts Council is thrilled to announce our upcoming exhibition, "Young at Art," celebrating the talent and creativity of young artists aged 2 to 18 years old in Stanislaus County!
This exhibition aims to highlight the creativity, imagination, and talent of our youngest community members.
We invite parents and guardians of young artists to submit their child's artwork for this special annual exhibition!
All young artists are welcome to submit to this show but young Members with a student or are part of a Family membership can submit their first entry for free with their members code. See our membership page if you would like to become a member.
Celebration in Black
An Exhibition that Honors African American Life and Culture
February 5, 2025 - March 2, 2025
The Celebration In Black exhibition honors African American life and culture, showcasing visual art that explores themes from history, civil rights, and culture to music, poetry, and politics. This powerful exhibit is intended to provoke thought, foster dialogue, and celebrate often-overlooked artists and contributions.
This open call invites all artists to submit works exploring African American themes. While African American artists are encouraged to submit, the exhibition welcomes all artists regardless of ethnicity or SAC membership status.
The Stanislaus Art Exchange Exhibition
The Stanislaus Arts Council is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with California State University, Stanislaus, to present "The Stanislaus Art Exchange," a dual exhibition set to take place in February 2025. This innovative collaboration marks the first of its kind, showcasing the artistic talents of BFA students alongside the exceptional work of our member artists.
February 5, 2025 - February 28, 2025
The primary aim of The Stanislaus Art Exchange is to foster a vibrant artistic dialogue between emerging and established artists within our community. By providing a platform for BFA students to exhibit their work at the Stanislaus Arts Council Gallery and for our member artists to showcase their creations at the University’s gallery,
Not a Member yet, but want to participate? Join today at stanislausarts.org/membership
Our Collective Spirit
January 8, 2025 - January 31, 2025
This exhibition is intended to be a vibrant celebration of our member artists, showcasing the rich diversity of creativity and talent within our community. We invite all member artists to contribute their unique voices and perspectives to this collective homage to the art we create together.
Not a Member yet, but want to participate? Join today at stanislausarts.org/membership
Member Artists accepted into this exhibition will be invited to participate in one of three Artists Talks to be held on
Friday, January 10, 2025 from 5:30-7:30PM
Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 3-5PM
Friday, January 24, 2025 from 5:30- 7:30PM
A Year of Reflection: An Exhibition about Life and World Events
The Stanislaus Arts Council invites artists to join A Year of Reflection: Life and World Events, an exhibition from November 20th to December 19th, 2024, exploring the significant personal, social, community impacts, and personal stories of the past year. In a broader perspective of anything you have reflected on this year: a family trip, a birth or death in the family, personal growth as an artist or individual.
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If our theme does not resonate with you, we would like to open submissions to all works of art. This has been a year of change for the Gallery, the Stanislaus Arts Council, our SAC Members and our artist community. We would love to see your work displayed in the Gallery as 2024 comes to an end. Submit a new or favorite piece for A Year of Reflections.
Finding Peace
An exhibition of inspirational art and writing created by cancer survivors and caregivers of the complimentary therapy programs.
Exhibition Dates: October. 16th - November 15th, 2024
October 16: Exhibition Opens
1800 Coffee Road
In the hallway between the Infusion Center and the Cancer Services offices
These programs are made possible by a grant from Memorial Medical Center to the Stanislaus Arts Council and generous donations made to the Memorial Hospital Foundation. For more information about these programs call 209-535-2226
Dia de los Muertos Exhibition
Oct 16, 2024 – Nov 21, 2024
The Stanislaus Arts Council invites you to participate in the Dia de los Muertos exhibition, celebrating the vibrant and culturally rich Mexican tradition of honoring deceased loved ones. This exhibition, running from October 16th through November 21st, 2024, at Showtime Studios (1313 J St., Modesto, CA), will feature artwork that embraces themes of remembrance, cultural traditions, and the joyful celebration of life. Artists are encouraged to submit works that pay tribute to ancestors and explore the rich symbolism associated with Dia de los Muertos. All mediums are welcome.
Autumn Art Exhibition
September 3rd - October 11th
Join us for an inspiring journey into creativity and innovation at the Autumn Art Exhibition, presented by the Stanislaus Arts Council. This esteemed exhibition, once exclusive to members, now welcomes submissions from artists of all backgrounds and mediums from all over California. Held at our new location at 1315 J Street, Modesto, CA, this juried showcase invites artists working in water media, oil, pastel, graphics, mixed media, and sculpture to share their unique perspectives. Celebrate artistic excellence and community spirit with us from September 3rd to October 11th, 2024. Join us for Art Walk on September 19th from 5-8pm. Additionally, this exhibition will host an invitation only artist reception for the participants of this exhibition and its sponsors.