Past Exhibitions

September 23, 2026 – November 4, 2026

22421 Market St, Newhall, CA 91321

The City of Santa Clarita is pleased to present its latest art exhibition, “Hispanic Heritage Month,”on display at the Newhall Community Center (22421 Market Street) now through November 4, 2026. This juried exhibition features artwork inspired by the rich cultures, traditions and histories of Hispanic and Latin American communities. Through a variety of artistic perspectives and mediums, participating artists celebrate the experiences and cultural connections that continue to shape and inspire generations.

Among the featured artists is Laura Ledesma, whose piece “Busy at Work” was inspired by a Quechua woman she met in the village of Chinchero in Peru’s Sacred Valley. The work depicts the woman hand-weaving vibrant, intricate textiles that reflect generations of cultural tradition and artistry. Through the piece, Ledesma captures not only the woman’s likeness, but also the spirit of a quiet moment and the continuation of a craft passed down through generations.

Also featured is Ashley Theresa Hines, a Latin American artist whose three-dimensional painting explores the relationship between music and those who have passed. “Music holds memories, emotions and vitality. It can preserve a voice, a feeling or a moment long after someone is gone,” Hines shares. Through the piece, she explores how rhythm and sound can “create a bridge between the living and those we have lost,” using music as a vessel for memory and a way of maintaining a connection with those who came before us.

The photo attached to this press release is “Busy at Work” by Laura Ledesma

August 18, 2026 – October 28, 2026

Canyon Country Community Center, 18410 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91351

The City of Santa Clarita is pleased to present Beyond the Horizon: An Exploration of Earth, Ocean and Space by Karen Nguyen, on view now through October 28, 2026 at the Canyon Country Community Center (18410 Sierra Hwy). This exhibition features contemporary landscape paintings inspired by the beauty and vastness of the natural world, taking viewers on a visual journey across sweeping landscapes, vibrant coastlines and the mysteries of outer space. The community is invited to a special reception on Wednesday, September 9, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at The Canyon Country Community Center, offering an opportunity to meet Nguyen and experience the exhibition firsthand.

Drawing inspiration from her travels to more than 60 countries, Nguyen captures the atmosphere, movement and character of the places and environments that have shaped her artistic perspective. Her work combines landscape realism with a more intuitive approach to painting that she describes as “going with the flow”. From the movement of ocean waves and expansive natural vistas to scenes inspired by the cosmos, Beyond the Horizon explores the sense of wonder and discovery found when looking beyond the familiar.

Karen Nguyen is a Vietnamese-American contemporary artist, landscape realist, entrepreneur and educator based in Costa Mesa, California. In 2016, she founded Inspired Art Wine, a creative studio and gallery where she has taught more than 20,000 students through workshops in oil, acrylic and watercolor painting. A double alumna of UC Irvine, Nguyen continues to draw upon travel, nature and exploration to create artwork that encourages curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the world around us.

The artwork attached is titled “Astronomical” by Karen Nguyen.

July 22, 2026 – September 30, 2026

Valencia Public Library, 23743 Valencia Blvd, Valencia, CA 91355

The City of Santa Clarita is pleased to present Outdoor Explorer, a solo exhibition by Hannah Thoreson on display at the Santa Clarita Public Library Valencia Branch (23743 Valencia Boulevard) now through September 30, 2026. This exhibition features a collection of watercolor and mixed media landscapes inspired by outdoor environments throughout the United States. Through scenes ranging from expansive deserts to vibrant coastlines and quiet oases, the exhibition invites viewers to experience the natural world through curiosity, exploration and a deeper connection to the environment.

Rather than depicting nature from the perspective of a distant observer, Thoreson’s work embraces the viewpoint of those who actively engage with the landscape through activities such as hiking, swimming, farming and exploring the outdoors. Blending artistic expression with scientific observation, her paintings reflect a growing appreciation for the environment while celebrating the diverse landscapes that shape our experiences. Each piece encourages viewers to see nature not only as a place of beauty, but as something to be experienced firsthand.

Hannah Thoreson is a software developer, artist and explorer based in Los Angeles, California. Raised on a working farm in rural North Dakota, she developed a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors that continues to inspire her artwork today. Through Outdoor Explorer, Thoreson encourages viewers of all ages to discover the beauty of the landscapes around them and reflect on their own relationship with the natural world.

The artwork attached to this press release is titled “Turbulent Waves” by Hannah Thoreson.

Social Media: @hannah_space_penguin (Instagram)

Website: www.brickstackr.com

June 10, 2026 – July 8, 2026

The MAIN, 24266 Main St, Santa Clarita, CA 91321

The City of Santa Clarita is proud to announce its latest art exhibition, “Nature’s Narrative” by Zony Gordon on view at The MAIN (24266 Main Street) now through July 8, 2026. This exhibition explores the natural beauty and landscapes found throughout Santa Clarita and the California coast, featuring florals, scenic vistas and recognizable local landmarks seen through Gordon’s signature contemporary impressionist style. The community is invited to a special reception on Thursday, June 18 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at The MAIN, offering a unique opportunity to engage with the artist and explore the exhibit firsthand.

Inspired by the abundance of gardens, open spaces and wildlife that surround the community, Gordon’s work captures moments of beauty and discovery through expressive color and movement. “There’s always a great abundance of beautiful scenery, gardens and exotic wildlife in Santa Clarita and around the California Coast which provide inspiration and zest for my art,” Gordon shares. “I paint with an openness and readiness to be surprised with all I find, and interpret it with candor.” Through watercolor and mixed media, she transforms familiar scenes into vibrant reflections of nature’s wonder and vitality.

​ A longtime Santa Clarita resident, Gordon is an active leader in the local arts community. She previously served two terms as President of the Santa Clarita Artists Association and currently serves on the boards of both the Santa Clarita Artists Association and Women Painters West. In addition to her work as a full-time artist, she is a dedicated art educator, volunteer and mentor, teaching students of all ages and supporting local arts programs throughout the community. Through “Nature’s Narratives,” Gordon invites viewers to slow down, appreciate the beauty of their surroundings and reconnect with the natural landscapes that inspire her work.

The featured artwork attached to this release is entitled “A Pleasant Neighborhood” by Zony Gordon.

May 14, 2026 – July 22, 2026

Valencia Public Library, 23743 Valencia Blvd, Valencia, CA 91355

The City of Santa Clarita is pleased to present “Rooted in Wonder,” a solo exhibition by Tesha Smith on view at the Valencia Library (23743 Valencia Boulevard) now through July 22, 2026. This invites viewers into a vibrant world of flowers, foliage and fauna, celebrating the beauty, emotion and quiet wonder found within the natural world.

“Rooted in Wonder” features a collection of mixed-media works that explore nature as both sanctuary and storyteller. Through layered expressive color and organic forms, Tesha transforms petals, leaves and creatures into symbolic reflections of memory, resilience and personal connection. Inspired by childhood curiosity, time spent outdoors and observations gathered through travel, her work balances realism with imagination, creating scenes that feel both familiar and dreamlike. Each piece encourages viewers to slow down, notice small details and reconnect with a sense of awe and reflection often overlooked in everyday life.

Tesha Smith is a mixed-media artist whose creative practice has been shaped by her travels and studies across different countries. Working primarily in acrylic, watercolor, and charcoal, she often combines mediums to capture movement and atmosphere. Influenced by botanical gardens, sacred architecture, public murals and the beauty of ordinary moments, Tesha’s work explores themes of connection between people, cultures and the natural world. Through both large-scale murals and intimate works on paper, her art creates spaces for joy and transformation.

The artwork attached to this press release is titled “Peonies” by Tesha Smith.

Social Media: @artbytsmith

May 6, 2026 – June 3, 2026

The MAIN, 24266 Main St, Santa Clarita, CA 91321

The City of Santa Clarita is proud to announce its latest art exhibition, “Circle of Life: Sea to Land” by Jayme Sun Thomas on display at The MAIN (24266 Main Street) now through June 3, 2026. This exhibition features a collection of wildlife photographs captured between 2022 and 2026, highlighting amphibians, mammals and birds in their natural environments.

As a professional wildlife photographer, Thomas focuses on capturing the beauty, innocence and behavior of animals as they interact with their surroundings. Many of the works in this exhibition were photographed at the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve  and Placerita Canyon, where she has served as a Docent Naturalist since 2023. Her images reveal intimate moments within the food chain, offering insight into the balance and complexity of nature.

​ Thomas shares a deep commitment to wildlife conservation, drawing attention to the challenges animals face globally, including habitat loss, climate change and human impact. Her background in biochemistry and fine arts photography, combined with years of field observation, allows her to document wildlife with both scientific awareness and artistic sensitivity. Through her work, she strives to capture the “Circle of Life” and inspire a greater respect and understanding of the natural world. Thomas encourages viewers to connect with the subjects of her work and recognize the importance of safeguarding these species for future generations.

Website: sunpuperwolfwildlife.com

Social Media: @sunpuperwolf.photography

May 5, 2026 – July 29, 2026

Canyon Country Community Center, 18410 Sierra Hwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91351

The City of Santa Clarita is pleased to present “Flowing into Familiar” by Olga Shiller, on view now through July 29, 2026 at the Canyon Country Community Center (18410 Sierra Hwy). This exhibition features richly textured acrylic and oil works that balance expressive movement with recognizable subjects, inviting viewers into a visual experience where abstraction and representation meet.

Through thick, layered surfaces and dynamic brushwork, Shiller creates compositions that feel both energetic and grounded. Rough, high-contrast textures create stimulation and visual rhythm, while smoother passages offer focus and breath. Blurred horizons and partially rendered figures drift in and out of focus, suggesting landscapes and portraits that are at once external observations and internal weather. The work asks how memory thickens, how nostalgia takes on texture and how the act of looking is never separate from the act of feeling.

Born in Siberia, Olga Shiller is a multidisciplinary artist whose work draws from global influences and personal experience. Her practice blends techniques of the old masters with contemporary approaches, using oil and acrylic painting as well as photography to explore themes of nature, memory and the human condition. Through her work, Shiller creates a dialogue between tradition and expression, inviting viewers to engage with both the physical and emotional layers of each piece.

Website: www.olgashiller.com

Social Media: @olga.schiller

March 30, 2026 – May 27, 2026

Old Town Newhall Library, 24500 Main St. Santa Clarita, CA 91321

The City of Santa Clarita is pleased to present the Youth Art Exhibit, now on view at the Old Town Newhall Library Branch (24500 Main Street) through May 27, 2026. This exhibition features original artwork submitted to the Youth Art Contest, showcasing the creativity, passion and hard work of local students in grades TK–12. Inspired by this year’s theme, “The World Needs Art,” each piece reflects the unique perspectives of public, private and homeschooled students from across the community in celebration of Youth Art Month. Originally displayed at Art Hop, this collection now continues at the library, offering the community an extended opportunity to experience and celebrate the incredible talent of these young artists.

April 1 – May 6, 2026

The MAIN, 24266 Main St, Santa Clarita, CA 91321

The City of Santa Clarita is proud to announce its latest art exhibition, “The Art of the Cut” by James McGuire on view at The MAIN (24266 Main Street) now through May 6, 2026. This exhibition features intricate; hand crafted scroll saw works that highlight the natural beauty and character of wood through detailed patterns and precise craftsmanship.

For James McGuire, woodworking is both a craft and a conversation with the material itself. Each piece begins as a simple board and is transformed through careful cutting and thoughtful design into complex forms. His process requires patience, focus and meticulous attention to detail, resulting in works that invite viewers to slow down and appreciate the artistry found in small, deliberate moments.

​ McGuire shares, “I enjoy scroll sawing because it requires patience and focus. Each piece comes together one cut at a time, and concentrating on the pattern allows me to slow down and block out everything else.” His work reflects this meditative approach, where craftsmanship and creativity come together to reveal the hidden potential within each piece of wood.

James McGuire has practiced the art of fretwork for nearly 50 years, developing a style defined by precision and dedication. His work has evolved from simple designs to highly intricate compositions featuring hundreds of individual cuts, often taking weeks to complete. Today, he shares his work at craft fairs throughout the region and continues to explore the expressive possibilities of wood through his detailed creations.

The featured artwork attached to this release is entitled “Two Wolves” by James McGuire.