Luther Burbank Center Art Collection Archives

101.1 Springload Series Painting PIECE | 101.1 Springload Series LOCATION | Upstairs Hallway Gallery South at LBC DESCRIPTION | 2012 Wooden Birch Panels ARTIST | Roberto Santo (b. 1953) See map for location. LBC Permanant collection Sculpture artist Roberto Santo’s “Springload Series,” on display at LBC, includes two site-specific pieces he created for the Arts Center. Santo distinguishes himself as a painter of balanced, abstract compositions with an attractive, almost touchable skin.

LBC Permanent Collection

Dennis Leon (1933 1998) was born in london, england, and received his bfa, bs, and mfa from temple university in philadelphia, pa. An artist and educator, leon consistently explored the subject of the natural landscape. He was first inspired as a child by the moors of yorkshire and then by his subsequent travels throughout the united states and abroad. His body of work includes site-specific installations, collage, drawings, pastels, and sculpture in wood and bronze. In each case, the landscape, natural forms and textures, and the artists relationship to them were of central focus. Leons work deals with the themes of surface and physicality, timelessness and monumentality, memory and imagination, and mystery and surprise. Dennis leon died in 1998 at the of 65. Luther burbank center for the arts is pleased to include five of dennis leons works as part of its permanent collection. In addition to the artwork displayed here, two pieces can be found along the sidewalk on the south side of the center and another in the sculpture courtyard. This work is the generous gift of Joan Leon and Ramon Jimenez and their daughters, Ann Leon and Susan Peterson.

Arch Tworain Sculpture PIECE | Arch Tworain LOCATION | Where entrance driveway splits DESCRIPTION | 1981 Painted Welded Steel DIMENSIONS | 28’ x 23’ x 6’ See map for location. LBC Permanent collection Photo by Vi Bottaro Born in Detroit, Robert Ellison (1946-2012) had three decades of art experience with permanent and temporary installations. His work can be found in the collections of prominent citizens worldwide and he launched many exhibitions in the U.S. and abroad. Ellison created large public sculptures fabricated from steel, aluminum, concrete, neon and clockworks.

Aurora III Sculpture PIECE | Aurora III LOCATION | Sculpture Garden DESCRIPTION | 2014 Plexiglass, Aluminum, Powder-coated Steel DIMENSIONS | 96″ x 30″ x 75″ ARTIST | Catherine Daley “Inspired by nature, Aurora III alludes to the Aurora Borealis’ curtain of light while loosely referencing a riverine shape. It plays with the ideas of musical scales or chimes, juxtaposed to elements in nature: water, wind, light and ice.” – Catherine Daley See map for location. LBC Permanent Collection

About the Artist

Catherine Daley’s art is inspired by the environment, by people and by concepts, and from these sources of inspiration, her artworks usually come to her in fragmented dreams. Catherine describes one of her works, Aurora III, as “inspired by nature, alluding to the Aurora Borealis’ curtain of light while loosely referencing a riverine shape. It plays with the ideas of musical scales or chimes, juxtaposed to elements in nature: water, wind, light and ice.” Catherine Daley is an interdisciplinary artist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She works in sculpture, photography, and painting. After working as a photojournalist for 10 years in Sacramento, she turned her creative eye to sculpture. After graduating from Sonoma State University in 2013, the University purchased her artwork in 2015 for permanent display on campus. While the impetus for her artwork is centered on the environment, Daley also creates works that are deeply personal and relate to current events. A member of Pacific Rim Sculptors, most recently she was selected for the ZonaMaco MÉXICO, a curated, digital exhibition for the local chapter of the International Sculpture Center, in February, 2018, and for the Forms and Sequences show at the Siskiyou Arts Museum, August 11–October 6, 2018. Her works have been featured at the Napa Art Walk from 2015–2017 and at the Sculpture Garden at Paradise Ridge Winery. When not making art, Daley enjoys teaching an art class at Sonoma Academy in Santa Rosa.

LBC Permanent Collection

Sculpture artist Roberto Santo’s “Springload Series,” on display at LBC, includes two site-specific pieces he created for the Arts Center. Santo distinguishes himself as a painter of balanced, abstract compositions with an attractive, almost touchable skin.

LBC Permanent Collection

Renowned sculpture artist Roberto Santo is one of only a few artists eligible for commissions for the Vatican. Santo, who works roughly half the year at his studio in Tuscany, Italy, and half the year at his home on Sonoma Mountain, created two site specific pieces for the Arts Center. All of the work on display is from his “Springload Series.” In this series, Santo distinguishes himself as a painter of balanced, abstract compositions with an attractive, almost touchable skin.

LBC Permanent Collection

Sculpture artist Roberto Santo’s “Springload Series,” on display at LBC, includes two site-specific pieces he created for the Arts Center. Santo distinguishes himself as a painter of balanced, abstract compositions with an attractive, almost touchable skin.

Donut Diorama Sculpture PIECE | Donut Diorama LOCATION | South parking lot DESCRIPTION | 1980 Painted Welded Steel DIMENSIONS | 14’ x 22’ x25’ See map for location. LBC Permanent collection Born in Detroit, Robert Ellison (1946-2012) had three decades of art experience with works including permanent and temporary installations. His work can be found in the collections of prominent citizens worldwide and he launched many exhibitions in the U.S. and abroad. Ellison created large public sculptures fabricated from steel, aluminum, concrete, neon and clockworks.

Four Seasons: A Celebration Of Community And Environmental B... Mural

PIECE | Four Seasons: A Celebration of Community and Environmental Beauty

LOCATION | Sculpture Courtyard DESCRIPTION | 2023, Acrylic on canvas DIMENSIONS | 8′ x 20′ ARTIST | Maria de Los Angeles See map for location. LBC Permant collection

As a gift to the North Bay, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts commissioned renowned artist Maria de Los Angeles to install two large-scale outdoor murals for free, year-round public viewing. The striking, vibrant murals represent the artist’s intricate and colorful celebration of community, cultural diversity, and education—values that also reflect LBC’s commitment to the community. The mural project is LBC’s second collaboration with de Los Angeles, a former long-time resident of Santa Rosa, who also partnered with LBC on some of its early arts camps. Four Seasons: A Celebration of Community and Environmental Beauty is impressionist in style and includes a community component as part of the design. Taking inspiration from LBC’s tagline, Connecting Our Community Through the Arts Across Schools, Homes, and Stages, de Los Angeles integrated community ideas and feedback into the mural design. Participants represent members of valued organizations within Sonoma County, including Latino Service Providers, Sonoma County Pride, CHOPS Teen Club, and multiple local wildfire survivor and resiliency groups.

The murals project was made possible with generous support from the following:

Susan and Alan Preston Steve and Nancy Oliver Sherry and Pete Swayne Karen and Mike Bergin Jack Leissring Chris and Amy Hunsberger Robi McMinn, honoring Bobbi Gardner Lauren and Bruce Morrison Rick Nowlin and Don Strand Robin Seltzer and Bill Wertzberger Ellen and Chuck Wear Anita Wiglesworth

About the Artist

An American artist focusing on drawing, painting, printmaking, and wearable sculptures, Maria de Los Angeles (@delosangelesart) was born in Mexico and raised in Sonoma County. She is the full-time Critic and Assistant Director of Painting and Printmaking at the Yale School of Art.

Artist Statement

My multidisciplinary studio practice includes drawing, painting, installation, performance, and muralism. The main themes in my work are about exploring belonging and identity at the intersection of the personal and universal. It is rooted in my immigrant experience in the United States. Growing up undocumented had a transforming impact on my sense of belonging and worldview. My two-dimensional works convey social commentary, personal stories, and universal experiences using narrative and abstraction. Some of my work is autobiographical, others are inspired by the community, family, and the news. I begin by drawing from my imagination and then, later, from photographs, combining the two to create layered narratives. I like the meaning in my work to unfold slowly, with people discovering elements and moments they didn’t see at first. I think about time, and the time needed to fully take in the emotional and psychological impact of a painting and its story. My images are layered with a combination of myth, actual situations, culture and political symbols, spirituality, and sometimes humor. I often contemplate how myth, allegory, and individual experience merge to create our perspectives. I’m highly influenced by magic realism, the feminist movement, and political art. Mixed media drawing installations have become a way to see a mural before it has been composed. The idea of many voices coming together is how I think about the collaboration. When projects are being created in collaboration with community, the process is similar. A mural is community and proof that we can do something together and bring our range of experiences to the piece.

Gaia PIECE | Gaia LOCATION | G.K. Hardt Conference Room Suites Hall DESCRIPTION | Walnut DIMENSIONS | 8’x4’6″x3’4″ ARTIST | Connie Butler (1936-2022) See map for location. LBC Permanent collection Connie Butler created figurative sculpture, using wood, bronze, stone, plaster, and clay. She strived to bring out the spirit of the material by sculpting it. The result is a compromise between the original image and the resistance of the wood to take shape.

Geometry In Art - Sculpture Garden Exhibition 2023-2025 Sculpture Geometry In Art

September 2023 – August 2025

Geometry In Art celebrates the intersection of geometry and artistic expression through the works of nine extraordinary artists, each presenting a unique perspective and aesthetic through their exploration of form, line, and negative space. In these sculptures, repetition reveals patterns that mirror the rhythmic cadence and beauty of nature. The passage of time adds another dimension, as changing light and shadows cast intricate geometric designs, bringing the sculptures to life. This interplay between form and space creates a mesmerizing energy. Through their work, these artists invite us to immerse ourselves in a world where aesthetics and mathematical principles harmoniously converge. Where the language of shapes, rhythms, and repetition speak to your senses, inspire contemplation, and foster a deeper appreciation for the inherent beauty of geometry that permeates our world. Curated by Anita Wiglesworth More information here.

Kali Sculpture PIECE | Kali LOCATION | North Parking Lot DESCRIPTION | Cypress and Copper DIMENSIONS | 13’ x 5’ x 4’ ARTIST | Bruce Johnson See map for location. LBC Permant collection Photo by Vi Botaro Kali by Bruce Johnson was selected for LBC’s permanent collection to replace “Five Elements,” the sculpture that was destroyed by the October 2017 wildfires. Given that Kali now stands as testament to a treasure we lost in the fires, LBC dedicates this particular art piece to our community, which lost so much as a result of the fires. Our hope is that this sculpture, like all the art we present, will be a source of healing and inspiration as we move forward together after the fires. Kali is not a memorial sculpture but it is an energetic affirmation created in the wake of the fire that incorporates salvaged elements from the fire. LBC dedicates Kali, to the resilience and strength of our community.

LBC Permanent Collection

About the Artist

To commemorate the LBC’s commitment to bringing world-class live performances to the North Bay region, we have installed a photography exhibit in the balcony and vestibules around the theater. The images represent the work of our house photographer Steve Jennings and spans nearly 20 years of performances here at the LBC. Steve Jennings started photographing concerts in 1976. Combining his love of music and photography he captured his favorite musicians on stage. His archive continued to grow and he eventually turned his passion into a livelihood. His work has been published internationally, in such publications as Rolling Stone, Time, Newsweek, Entertainment Weekly, Guitar Player, People, Vogue, leading trade magazines as well as for music CD’s, DVD’s, Concert Tourbooks, calendars and posters. Tour photographer clients include Carrie Underwood, Kiss, Aerosmith, The Pixies, Joe Satriani, The Tenors, Natalie Cole, The Pretenders and Oingo Boingo, just to name a few. Other clients have included Columbia Records, Sony, MCA, Epic, Warner Bros., Lucasfilm, and Disney. For fifteen years he resided as house photographer for San Francisco’s Fillmore Auditorium and Warfield Theater. In addition Steve also works for WireImage Photo Agency. Known for capturing “behind the scenes” moments, among his specialties is his relationship with clients in the production world of concert lighting, audio, video and special effects. Steve is based in the Bay Area in Northern California. Visit Steve Jennings Photography for more information.

Lookout Sculpture Lookout by Bruce Johnson Photo by Vi Bottaro

About the Artist

Dennis Leon (1933 – 1998) was born in London, England, and received his BFA, BS and MFA from Temple University. Artist and educator, Leon consistently explored the subject of the natural landscape. He was first inspired as a child by the moors of Yorkshire and then by his subsequent travels throughout the United States and abroad. Leon’s art emerged from the observations and memories of his experiences within these various environments. His body of work includes site-specific installations, collage, drawings, pastels, and sculpture in wood and bronze.

Migration Sculpture PIECE | Migration LOCATION | Outside of Patron Services DESCRIPTION | Bronze and Steel DIMENSIONS | Variable 20’ X 12’ X 8’ ARTIST | Diana Meehan See map for location. LBC Permanent collection My sculptural work is an exploration of techniques through the experimentation and manipulation of various materials. – Diana Meehan A self-proclaimed collector of all objects of all sorts, local artist Diana Meehan is motivated to reform the found items into new possibilities and distinctive pieces of art.

LBC Permanent Collection

About the Artist

A German native, Frank Schueler studied electromechanical engineering before moving to the U.S. in 1955. He took a class in creative wood design a decade later, and that led to a career as a sculptor specializing in metal, wood, and plastic. The majority of his materials come from discarded or found objects, and his finished pieces take inspiration from the out-of-doors. Visit: www.frankschueler.com

Red Jazz PIECE | Red Jazz LOCATION | Sculpture Courtyard, LBC DESCRIPTION | 2013 Painted Aluminum DIMENSIONS | 11’ x 9’ x5’ ARTIST | Kati Casida See map for location. LBC Permanent collection "I’m influenced by images in the landscape and how movement changes these images. Rhythms of various Greek and Cypriot dances and my study of modern dance patterns help me to realize how I want to cut through space with my materials and colors." – Kati Casida Purchased for the permanent collection with generous donations from Nancy and Steve Oliver and Sutter Medical Center.

Remembering Sculpture PIECE | Remembering LOCATION | Sculpture Courtyard ARTIST | Doug Unkrey See map for location.

LBC Permanent Collection

About the Artist

On October 8, 2017, thousands of homes, businesses, and other structures were destroyed throughout Sonoma County in two of the state’s most destructive fires. The Tubbs Fire roared from Calistoga over the Mayacamas Mountains into northern Santa Rosa via Mark West Springs, while The Nuns Fire raced along ridgelines and through Sonoma Valley. While first responders and some citizens tried to alert those in the fires’ paths, many lives were tragically lost. Twenty-four people died in Sonoma County in these terrifying infernos. Their names are etched on the stone. In loving memory, we dedicate this tribute to our children, siblings, parents, spouses, friends, and neighbors who sadly lost their lives. Second Anniversary, October 2019 Leadership Santa Rosa, Class I Voigt Family Sculpture Foundation Luther Burbank Center for the Arts

LBC Permanent Collection

About the Artist

Interested in art at an early age, Thomas Walsh studied at the University of Michigan and went on to participate in the American metal-casting renaissance. Walsh pioneered the adaptation of the ceramic-shell investment process to art metal casting. He also helped promote and facilitate the first art metal conferences in the country. He currently works out of the foundry at San Jose State University.

Sphaera, Sphaera PIECE | Sphaera Sphaera LOCATION | Atrium DESCRIPTION | Ferro Cement DIMENSIONS | 45” diameter ARTIST | Daniel Oberti (1945-2009) See map for location. LBC Permanent collection Ceramic sculptor Daniel Oberti blended Japanese form with his Mediterranean heritage. His work embodies mythological symbolism, figurative characters, and old-world craftsmanship, which were inspired by his global travels and his unique perspective on ancient wisdom. Universal concepts about time, space, reverence, and beauty are evident in his work. In loving memory of Gary French and his legendary smile. From the collection of Paula French.

LBC Permanent Collection

About the Artist

I first began to explore sculpture by learning garden statuary in the mid-1980s. I sculpted my designs in clay and made molds to cast statuary. During that time, I also explored painting with acrylics and oils, though my love of solid materials led me deeper into sculptural work. I began working with alabaster, basalt, granite, and marble. In 1995, I began to work in metal-welded sculpture in bronze, mild steel, and stainless steel. I added fused glass created by local artist Branka Harris to the work in 2000. In a process known as direct carving, I carefully and patiently study a stone until the shape and color inspires the image I ultimately pursue. All of my sculpture is equally divided between figurative and abstract work. For me, it is the ever-renewing process of exploration working through to the completion of a piece that drives my work.– Aaron B. Poovey

LBC Permanent Collection

Sculpture artist Roberto Santo’s “Springload Series,” on display at LBC, includes two site-specific pieces he created for the Arts Center. Santo distinguishes himself as a painter of balanced, abstract compositions with an attractive, almost touchable skin.

The Muses: A Celebration Of A Blossoming Imagination Mural

PIECE | The Muses: A Celebration of a Blossoming Imagination

LOCATION | Art Walk DESCRIPTION | 2023, Acrylic on canvas DIMENSIONS | 19′ x 19′ ARTIST | Maria de Los Angeles See map for location. LBC Permanent collection

About the Mural Project

As a gift to the North Bay, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts commissioned renowned artist Maria de Los Angeles to install two large-scale outdoor murals for free, year-round public viewing. The striking, vibrant murals represent the artist’s intricate and colorful celebration of community, cultural diversity, and education—values that also reflect LBC’s commitment to the community. The mural project is LBC’s second collaboration with de Los Angeles, a former long-time resident of Santa Rosa, who also partnered with LBC on some of its early arts camps. The Muses: A Celebration of a Blossoming Imagination uses a modern fresco process and celebrates the artistic spirit by incorporating elements highlighting the performing arts—music, dance, theater, speakers, and comedy. It is the largest of the artist’s murals installed in Sonoma County to date.

The murals project was made possible with generous support from the following:

Susan and Alan Preston Steve and Nancy Oliver Sherry and Pete Swayne Karen and Mike Bergin Jack Leissring Chris and Amy Hunsberger Robi McMinn, honoring Bobbi Gardner Lauren and Bruce Morrison Rick Nowlin and Don Strand Robin Seltzer and Bill Wertzberger Ellen and Chuck Wear Anita Wiglesworth

About the Artist

An American artist focusing on drawing, painting, printmaking, and wearable sculptures, Maria de Los Angeles (@delosangelesart) was born in Mexico and raised in Sonoma County. She is the full-time Critic and Assistant Director of Painting and Printmaking at the Yale School of Art.

Artist Statement

My multidisciplinary studio practice includes drawing, painting, installation, performance, and muralism. The main themes in my work are about exploring belonging and identity at the intersection of the personal and universal. It is rooted in my immigrant experience in the United States. Growing up undocumented had a transforming impact on my sense of belonging and worldview. My two-dimensional works convey social commentary, personal stories, and universal experiences using narrative and abstraction. Some of my work is autobiographical, others are inspired by the community, family, and the news. I begin by drawing from my imagination and then, later, from photographs, combining the two to create layered narratives. I like the meaning in my work to unfold slowly, with people discovering elements and moments they didn’t see at first. I think about time, and the time needed to fully take in the emotional and psychological impact of a painting and its story. My images are layered with a combination of myth, actual situations, culture and political symbols, spirituality, and sometimes humor. I often contemplate how myth, allegory, and individual experience merge to create our perspectives. I’m highly influenced by magic realism, the feminist movement, and political art. Mixed media drawing installations have become a way to see a mural before it has been composed. The idea of many voices coming together is how I think about the collaboration. When projects are being created in collaboration with community, the process is similar. A mural is community and proof that we can do something together and bring our range of experiences to the piece.

LBC Permanent Collection

Sculpture artist Roberto Santo’s “Springload Series,” on display at LBC, includes two site-specific pieces he created for the Arts Center. Santo distinguishes himself as a painter of balanced, abstract compositions with an attractive, almost touchable skin.

ART RIGHT HERE

LBC Permanent Collection

LBC Permanent Collection

LBC Permanent Collection

LBC Permanent Collection

The murals project was made possible with generous support from the following:

About the Artist

Artist Statement

LBC Permanent Collection

About the Artist

LBC Permanent Collection

About the Artist

LBC Permanent Collection

About the Artist

LBC Permanent Collection

About the Artist

LBC Permanent Collection

About the Artist

LBC Permanent Collection

About the Mural Project

The murals project was made possible with generous support from the following:

About the Artist

Artist Statement

LBC Permanent Collection