El Dorado Arts Council – El Dorado Arts Council promotes a lively arts ecosystem, connecting local artists and organizations throughout the county. Check out their community arts & culture calendar for upcoming studio tours, art walks, poetry readings, music festivals, gallery exhibitions, living history reenactments, and more.
Thomas Kinkade Hometown Gallery
The original art gallery that helped launch the distinguished career of artist Thomas Kinkade, “Painter of Light,” is located on Placerville’s Historic Main Street. Kinkade grew up in Placerville in the 1960’s and 1970’s, and in 1984 was commissioned to paint original art for the Placerville Public Library. Kinkade’s works were designed to evoke nostalgia, warmth, and security and were almost certainly heavily influenced his early years in Placerville.
Art on the Divide
A cozy gallery in a historic brick building richly filled with the work of local artists on a tree-lined main street in the northern region of El Dorado County. The Art on the Divide Gallery is a cooperative, with new work added monthly including new cards, jewelry, and art works small and large. Visit the rose garden behind the gallery while enjoying the art in historic Georgetown. Gallery events, directions and hours listed at www.artonthedivide.com.
Quilt Trail
Barn Quilts are hand-painted public works of art that adorn locations such as barns, historic buildings, farms, and gardens. They offer a splash of color and charm to historic locations throughout El Dorado County. Each barn quilt has a story waiting to unfold. Download an El Dorado County Quilt Trail Map to get started.
Live Performances and Concerts
Olde Coloma Theatre
380 Monument Road Coloma, CA 95613
(530) 626-5282
oldecolomatheatre.com
Cheer the Hero…Boo the Villian… in a charming & historic theatre. Interact with your actors — who reply in character! Enjoy the rare art of melodrama — it’s one of only three such theatres in California!
Imagination Theatre
Ticket Hotline (530) 642-0404
imaginationtheatre.net
Voted “Best theater in the region,” Imagination Theater continues to bring award-winning performing arts to our community.
The Movie Lover’s Guide to El Dorado County
It’s a little-known fact that the scenic foothills and dramatic high alpine scenery of Lake Tahoe are in many Hollywood films. Here is a handy guide to all the films produced in the region.
Valhalla Tahoe
The Valhalla Art, Music & Theatre Festival is a unique celebration of music, theatre and the visual arts. The festival is set against the magnificent backdrop of Lake Tahoe and the Tallac Historic Site.
The Festival begins in mid-June with events and activities that continue throughout August. Events occur in the Boathouse Theatre, The Valhalla Grand Hall, and the Grand Lawn.
Tahoe Public Art
Tahoe Public Art (TPA) enhances the cultural landscape of the Tahoe region by providing dynamic art experiences inspired the Lake Tahoe Basin’s natural beauty and heritage to create momentum towards local environmental preservation efforts.
Upcoming Events › Arts & Culture
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52nd National Mother Lode Art Exhibition
Don't miss the 52nd National Mother Lode Art Exhibition in Placerville, California, August 5-19, 2018. The Placerville Arts Association is sponsoring this juried and judged show with entries from the foothills and across the country. It will feature diverse two dimensional and three-dimensional works from realism to experimental, in watercolor, oil, pastel, charcoal, acrylic, pencil, photography, and mixed media.
Find out more »Placerville Antique Street Faire and Vintage Marketplace
The Placerville Downtown Association presents the 30th Annual Antique Faire on Historic Main Street on August 26 from 8 am - 3 pm, featuring an open-air market, antiques, and vintage vendors, along with food, refreshments, and more. It's fun for the whole family!
Find out more »WINEderlust Renegade Wine Festival
Join renegade winemakers and musicians on the river at WINEderlust, the El Dorado Winery Association's second annual celebration of renegades, rebels, and rabble-rousers.
Find out more »Gold Rush Live
It wasn't just gold seekers that headed to California for the Gold Rush. Hot on the heels of the first rush of gold seekers were merchants, gamblers, and saloon keepers who helped establish the town of Coloma. Join docents and staff at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park as they recreate the town of Coloma in 1850.
Find out more »Placerville Art and Wine Festival
The Placerville Art & Wine Festival features local wineries, artists, and live entertainment on Historic Main Street. Explore local unique small businesses and art galleries where wineries will be pouring samples. Merchants will be offering food pairings designed to highlight the wines they serve and our local restaurants will be available for dinners as well.
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