The Firehouse Arts Center, located in the heart of downtown Pleasanton, serves as an inviting community space for the visual and performing arts. Tucked inside the center is Harrington Gallery, which includes two exhibition rooms totaling approximately 2,000 square feet of exhibition space. Harrington Gallery hosts group shows with artists from organizations such as the Pleasanton Art League and California Watercolor Association. The atrium lobby also displays work from local and regional artists. 

“For the Firehouse lobby, I invite local artists from the greater Bay Area to hold solo exhibitions and try to find creatives whose work inspire and hopefully excite the many visitors who visit our historic building,” says Sydney Tang, who has been Curator for the Firehouse Arts Center since October 2021. 

In late September, the lobby exhibition space will debut a solo show by Kiana Honarmand. “Tapestry of Remembrance” features a new body of work comprised of woven photography. Concluding the year will be an exhibition from early November to mid-December by contemporary glass mosaic artist Chieko Shimizu Fujioka.

Upstairs, the Nancy Thompson Memorial Wall exclusively features work by members of the Pleasanton Art League. The exhibition space is dedicated to the late watercolor and pastel artist Nancy Thompson, who was a senior member of the organization. Artwork of all mediums are shown on the memorial wall year round. Each Wall exhibition is typically six-weeks long. The featured artist on the Pleasanton Art League Wall for September and October 2022 is Christine Bourg, who is exhibiting works in pencil and pastel.

“We are lucky to have so many talented and versatile members in the Pleasanton Art League,” according to Tang, who notes that Nancy Thompson Memorial Wall  Coordinator Lynda Briggs helps organize the line-up of artists.

Currently, the main exhibit at Harrington Gallery is Transitions: The Beauty of Life’s Journey, which was guest curated by Ellen Howard and runs until October 22, 2022. Featuring 20 nationally known artists from California, the exhibition “revolves around each artist’s interpretation of transitional elements in our lives,” according to gallery officials. “Interpretations range from transitional elements in the landscape by season or the time of day, while figurative works encompass life’s changes. Also included in this exhibition are a selection of still lifes reflecting the organic qualities of the world as other works focus on the changing elements of our land and landmarks over time.”

Upcoming Live Artist Demonstrations associated with the exhibition include Nancy Seamons Crookston on Saturday, October 8 from 1 pm to 3 pm and Paul Kratter on Saturday, October 15 from 1 pm to 3 pm. The next main exhibit will be the Pleasanton Art League’s 15th Annual Fall Member’s Show, which opens on October 29 and runs until December 17. 

The Firehouse Arts Center is operated by the City of Pleasanton. There is no charge to visit Harrington Gallery, which is open to the public on Wednesdays through Fridays from 10 am to 5 pm and on Saturdays from 11 am to 3 pm. Additional times are available by appointment only. 

“The diversity of art that is fostered at the Firehouse Arts Center is truly something remarkable,” notes Tang. “From a thriving youth theater program, art classes available to adults and children, and exhibitions featuring world-renowned artists, there is something for everyone who steps foot through our doors."

For more information about the Harrington Gallery at the Firehouse Arts Center, please visit www.firehousearts.org, www.instagram.com/firehousearts, or www.facebook.com/FirehouseArtsPleasanton.