SEPTEMBER ARTS & CULTURE NEWSLETTER
September invites us to experience our region through the imagination of its artists. This month, Downtown Modesto comes alive with art, cultural memory and shared creativity through the Modesto Art Walk and The History of Low Riding Holiday. We are also pleased to share new artist opportunities, updates on the Arts Council's work and a collection of arts happenings from organizations throughout our broader creative community.
Whether you join us to discover an artist, cast a vote, make something of your own or simply spend time in a space shaped by creativity, there is a place for you in the arts this September.
September at the Stanislaus Arts Council
Modesto Art Walk Returns Thursday, September 17
Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. | Downtown Modesto
Spend the evening exploring Downtown Modesto through the work of local artists. The Modesto Art Walk offers a free, relaxed way to meet creatives, visit participating galleries and businesses, enjoy downtown dining and discover original artwork available for purchase. Move at your own pace and let the art lead the way.
Local artists are invited to participate. Sign-ups close Thursday, September 10 at 5:00 p.m. The participation fee is $10 per artist, and no payment is due when you sign up. Reserve your Art Walk space.
Meet local Artists at the Art Walk!
Analaura Jocol, one of our many talented Art Walk artists at the August Art Walk inside of The State Theater.
A Free Create Station for Every Kind of Creative
Our September Art Walk Create Station is designed to give ideas room to take shape. Stop by for a free sketchbook and sketching pencil, then stay and create with us or take your materials home and find inspiration wherever it meets you.
For those who enjoy a playful prompt, we will also have Art Dice available. Roll the dice, follow the unexpected direction and see where your imagination takes you. Our goal is simple: to inspire creativity and offer one small spark that helps your next idea begin.
New Exhibition Opening Soon:
The History of Low Riding: Culture, Community, and Legacy exhibition opens Tuesday, September 8 in the Stanislaus Arts Council Gallery and Visit Modesto Visitor Center. Through the perspectives of local artists, the exhibition honors creativity as an expression of cultural identity, craftsmanship, resilience, tradition and intergenerational storytelling.
Visit the exhibition Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and weekends from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 1315 J Street in Downtown Modesto.
While you are here, cast your vote for the artwork that speaks to you most. The Community Choice Award will be announced after the History of Low Riding Holiday on Saturday, September 26.
History of Low Riding Holiday
Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. | J Street and 10th Street, Downtown Modesto
Presented by the Stanislaus Latino Chamber of Commerce, this free, family-friendly celebration brings Downtown Modesto together through lowrider artistry, music, vendors and cultural pride. The Arts Council gallery will remain open throughout the event so visitors can engage with the exhibition, meet local artists and experience the creativity and living traditions that make our community vibrant.
Building the Future of Arts and Culture
VIVA Initiative
The VIVA Initiative, Visibility & Investment for Vibrant Arts, is being developed to strengthen the visibility and sustainability of Latino and Hispanic arts organizations and cultural groups throughout Stanislaus County. Through bilingual communications, marketing support and community-centered storytelling, VIVA will help participating organizations connect with broader audiences while preserving the distinct voice and identity of their work. Applications for the inaugural cohort are open through September 25, with programming beginning in October.
Learn more about the VIVA Initiative.
Our Strategic Plan
The Stanislaus Arts Council has released a forward-looking Strategic Plan to guide our next chapter of service, leadership and impact. The plan reflects our commitment to supporting artists, expanding equitable access, strengthening community partnerships and positioning arts and culture as essential to the vitality of Stanislaus County.
Visit our News page to read A Creative Future for Stanislaus County: Our Strategic Plan.
Community Partnership Spotlight
Bookish 24-Hour Art Competition
Bookish is launching a spirited new challenge for the region's visual artists, created with support from the Modesto Artists Movement. Artists age 18 and older who live in the 209 area may enter, with participation limited to 50 artists. The competition welcomes hangable visual artwork in a range of mediums and requires each entry to be created by the artist without artificial intelligence.
Competition: October 2 at 5:30 p.m. through October 3 at 6:00 p.m.
Entry fee: $10, supporting prize awards for the top three adjudicated works
Reception and blind judging of ten finalists: Tuesday, October 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Bookish
Community voting at Bookish throughout October, with the top three announced November 2
We cannot wait to welcome the ten finalist artworks to the Stanislaus Arts Council Community Gallery and Visit Modesto Visitor Center in November. Their exhibition will remain on view through December 4, offering the wider community another opportunity to celebrate the imagination, focus and creative courage behind each work.
Learn more about the competition and register through Bookish.
More Arts Happenings Across Our Region
The following opportunities are shared as a service to our creative community. Unless specifically stated above, these events and programs are presented by the organizations listed and are not produced by the Stanislaus Arts Council.
Opera Modesto: The Barber of Seville
September 11 at 7:30 p.m. and September 13 at 2:00 p.m. | Foster Family Theater, Gallo Center for the Arts
Opera Modesto opens its 2026-27 season with Rossini's sparkling comedy of disguise, romance and memorable bel canto music.
Odd Eights — “Nice Try…” Music Video Premiere + Exist/Enough Album Release
September 11, 2026
Doors: 7 PM | Show: 8 PM
Queen Bean Coffee & Social House
1126 14th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
$15 Presale | $20 at the Door | All Ages
Friends of the Fox Presents Casablanca
Sunday, September 20, 2026 | Doors open at 1:00 p.m.; film begins at 2:00 p.m. | Bob Hope Theatre, 242 E. Main Street, Stockton
Experience the romance, intrigue and enduring cinematic power of the 1942 classic Casablanca on the big screen inside Stockton's historic Bob Hope Theatre. Presented by Friends of the Fox as part of its Classic Movie Series.
Carnegie Arts Center: Garden Party at the Greenery
Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. | The Greenery Nursery & Garden Shop, 742 E. Olive Avenue, Turlock
After a ten-year hiatus, one of the region's beloved arts gatherings returns in celebration of the Carnegie Arts Center's 15th anniversary. Guests will enjoy regional art, live music, food and beverages among the gardens. Tickets are $55 for general admission and $50 for Carnegie Arts Center members, with proceeds supporting the Center's arts education and community programming.
Purchase tickets or learn about participating as an artist or sponsor.
Gift of the Nile
Gift of the Nile
Saturday, November 7 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 8 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. | Denair Gaslight Theater
Journey along the Nile through local artist Stephanie Chiang's interpretation of modern Egyptian music and dance. Designed for audiences of all ages, Gift of the Nile brings belly dance, visual storytelling and cultural exploration together in a theatrical celebration.
Opera Modesto Education Opportunities
Opera in the Schools brings teaching artists into classrooms for students in grades 2 through 12. Programs typically include two to three visits per week over three to four weeks, with age-appropriate sessions that connect music, movement, character and storytelling. Spring and summer scheduling is available, with program costs ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on scope. Educators may contact Opera Modesto General Director Roy Stevens at RStevens@operamodesto.org or 209-204-8276.
Opera Modesto's Story Into Song Literacy Initiative will also present school performances of The Little Prince at The State Theatre in Modesto from January 19 through 22, 2027. Based on Antoine de Saint-Exupery's beloved book, the opera is designed for students in grades 2 through 12 and includes standards-based curriculum guides. Public performances are scheduled for January 16 and 17 at 2:00 p.m.
Explore The Little Prince booking information.
Come Be Part of the Creative Life of Stanislaus County
The arts become essential to everyday life when people have meaningful opportunities to create, experience and belong. We invite you to join us this month, bring someone new into the experience and help local creativity continue to flourish across Stanislaus County.
Stay connected through stanislausarts.org, subscribe to our updates and follow the Stanislaus Arts Council on social media for new artist opportunities, exhibitions and community news.
