Petaluma
Swap-A-Luma
Forget “retail therapy.” Take a sustainable turn instead at Swap-A-Luma, Petaluma’s community-minded clothing swap that treats fashion less as consumption and more as circulation. Hosted by Swap Nation, the event invites participants to refresh their wardrobes by trading pieces instead of buying new—diverting hundreds of pounds of clothing from landfills in the process while turning reuse into a social experience. Expect a curated, boutique-style setup with a fashion show woven into the afternoon and a steady undercurrent of environmental awareness. The idea is simple: Swapping extends the life of garments, reduces demand for new production and builds a sense of community around style and sustainability. Proceeds from this edition benefit Cool Petaluma. Noon–3pm (fashion show 2pm), Saturday, April 4, Life on Art, 133 Copeland St., Ste. C1, Petaluma. Tickets at bit.ly/swapaluma.
Novato
Pioneer Park Cemetery Tours
History gets a little more interesting at Pioneer Park, where the Novato Historical Guild resumes its seasonal cemetery tours—walking visitors through the stories, lives and legacies that shaped early Novato. Led by guild board member Sharon Azevedo, the guided experience offers a grounded way to connect with local history, moving beyond plaques and dates into the human narratives tucked among the headstones. The tour traces the roots of Novato Township through those buried there, offering context, color and the occasional surprise. It’s a reminder that local history isn’t distant—it’s right underfoot. 9–10:30am, Saturdays April 11, May 9, June 13, July 18, Aug. 15 and Sept. 19, Pioneer Park (meet near playground), 1007 Simmons Ln., Novato. $10 suggested donation; register at novatohistory.org.
Glen Ellen
Spirit Guides
Mythical creatures take root among oaks and pathways at Sonoma Botanical Garden with Spirit Guides: Fantastical Creatures from the Workshop of Jacobo and María Ángeles. Inspired by Zapotec cosmology, the exhibition installs eight monumental, vividly patterned sculptures across the landscape—hybrid animals imagined as protectors, reflections of personality and carriers of story. The Oaxaca-based artists draw from the idea of the tona and nahual—spirit companions tied to birth and identity—translating those traditions into bold, contemporary forms rendered in color-saturated geometric patterns. Set against a newly expanded native plant garden, the show creates a dialogue between culture and landscape, past and present. Exhibit runs April 10–Sept. 7, Sonoma Botanical Garden, 12841 Hwy. 12, Glen Ellen. Admission $17 adults; discounts available; free for children 4 and under.
Mill Valley
Visual Journalism
Architecture gets a human read in this hands-on workshop at the Studio at MYSTIC, where participants are invited to paint building façades as if they were portraits. Led by creative technologist and artist Michael Scherotter, the session explores line-and-wash watercolor techniques that translate structure into expression—turning windows, lines and shadows into something more personal and interpretive. Part of an ongoing visual journaling series, the class emphasizes process over perfection, offering tools and repeatable exercises designed to keep a creative practice alive long after the session ends. All levels are welcome, with participants encouraged to bring a sketchbook, supplies and a reference photo of a building to work from. The goal is less architectural accuracy than discovery—finding character, mood and story in the built environment. 6–8pm, Thursday, April 2, the Studio at MYSTIC, 31 Sunnyside Ave., Mill Valley. $75. Ages 15+. bit.ly/mysticmv-journo.
