Exhibitions

UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Main Entrance Terrazzo

Exciting News!

The Grand Theatre Center for The Arts is undergoing some much needed and wonderful renovations to our facility’s main entryway off of Central Avenue.

The facility will remain open for our normal operating hours, however the main entrance will be closed for the next few days. The 7^th street entrance will be open and community members will be able to enter the facility there.

We apologize for any convenience this has cause and we cannot wait for you to see the newly restored Terrazzo entryway once it is completed!

Be sure to check our socials and website for any additional updates on our season and upcoming shows.

GRANDfest

OUTDOOR CONCERT

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 6:00PM
Ticket Price(s): FREE & open to the public
Venue: Downtown Tracy between 10th and 7th Street along Central Avenue

Celebrate the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts’ 20th Anniversary and kick off the 2026/27 Season at GRANDfest, a FREE outdoor concert and community celebration!

As our way of saying thank you to the Tracy community for 20 incredible years of support, GRANDfest brings together live music, local flavor, and a day of celebration for all ages.

The festivities begin with a performance by the Youth Battle of the Bands winner, followed by local favorites Young Guns, high-energy tribute band The Purple Ones, and an unforgettable headlining performance by A Flock of Seagulls.

Bring a lawn chair, a blanket, or your dancing shoes and enjoy an evening of great music under the open sky. Come hungry, too—local food trucks will be on-site serving up a variety of delicious eats, making it the perfect opportunity to support some of our community’s favorite tastemakers.

Join us as we celebrate 20 years of inspiring creativity, building community, and creating memorable experiences together. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

DOWNTOWN TRACY ART WALK

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
FREE & open to the public

The Artwalk is a free, self-guided public event featuring local visual and performing artists, community organizations, and vendors in downtown venues and on the sidewalks of Central Avenue near/around the Grand.

The City of Tracy and the local business district collaborate to create a network of creative displays and activities. This annual event series is always fun, interesting, and draws thousands of visitors each summer to historic downtown Tracy!

We invite you to meet the artists of our creative community, experience and purchase art, visit with local merchants, enjoy the hospitality of downtown eateries, and be a participant in one of the unique, artful events that make Tracy special. The Artwalk is perfect for a family outing, adventure with friends, or shopping excursion!

+ Interested in becoming a Vendor during our Artwalk?

Click the “Vendor Interest Form” button to apply.Selected vendors will be notified in September.

Vendors are required to bring their own table, chairs, and pop up/tent.
No vendor fee required.

Parking will be extremely limited, please be prepared to haul items several blocks.

Handicapped Parking will not be available.

ARTS EDUCATION CLASSES

Date: Saturday, September 26, 10:00 – 2:30 PM
FREE! Pre-registration is required.

Join a free class taught by our Arts Education Instructors!

Acrylic Painting: Students will follow a step-by-step guide to painting that covers techniques such as brush stroke, color theory, scale, value, shapes, and composition. Students will develop confidence and skill in their paintings.

Fused Glass – Plant Stake: This introductory workshop is perfect for students new to fused glass. Students will be taught the basics of working with glass, including how to cut and arrange glass pieces to create a one-of-a-kind plant stake. Pieces will be fired and may be picked up the following week.

Beginning Salsa: Learn basic salsa steps and attain a fundamental knowledge of basic patterns. Students will learn concepts to lead and follow. No experience necessary.

Preschool Drawing: This class is for preschool students who want to have fun while being introduced to ways of learning through hands-on activities. Their motor skills will be developed while exploring new ideas and ways to expand their creativity with visual techniques as they draw. The most important part of this class is discovery for your child. Come have fun, draw and color with us. All materials are provided, and your child will get to bring their art projects home for everyone to admire!

Drawing with Pastels: This introduction to pastels is a wonderful experience for students as they learn and use their imagination, express creativity with vibrant colors, and expand their skills. The instructor will spend time with each student and provide a step-by-step learning process to achieve success, while learning in a fun environment. Working with vibrant pastel colors allows each child to tell a story through a world of bright colors, learn art history, and talk about famous artists.

Hula & Tahitian Dance: Students will learn Hula and Tahitian dance movements and choreography in this class perfect for beginner and intermediate students. Dancers will learn to tell a story through their hands and body movements.

Americana – The Art of Rowing: Join the Arts Education Program for an exclusive workshop taught by John Giehl, Ed.D. Take a peek at American popular culture/ social history from the mid-1800s to mid-1900s. Our “knothole” will be the work of Thomas Eakins, Norman Rockwell, Currier & Ives as they take “snapshots” of the recreational activity “Rowing.”

Ceramic Hand Building: This introductory workshop is perfect for students new to ceramics. Students will be taught the basics of working with clay, including how to wedge and form a handmade dish. Pieces will be fired and may be picked up the following week.

GALLERY EXHIBITION

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
FREE & open to the public

Enjoy a special gallery exhibition celebrating the people, performances, and moments that have shaped the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts over the past 20 years. Explore captivating photography by Bogdan Condor, whose work highlights our 20th Anniversary Season, alongside Zoe Del Prete, whose images beautifully capture the energy of the Grand’s performances and community events.

As part of the exhibition, we invite you to become part of the celebration by adding your own memories and reflections to this interactive showcase.

Refuge – Paintings by Caleb Dowdell

Refuge features a series of paintings that delve into the ways people discover and cultivate safety in times of adversity. Vivid portraits capture moments of peace, solace, silent prayer and reflection. The collective imagery evokes a convergence of cultures, symbolizing the journey of refugees who contribute to the ever-evolving mosaic of the United States of America.

Caleb Dowdell (Tracy, CA) is an emerging studio artist, performer and educator. Mr. Dowdell holds a Certificate in Graphic Design and Associate Degrees in Studio Arts, Humanities and Art History from Modesto Junior College, and a BFA in Pictorial Arts from San Jose State University. He has been exhibiting professionally since 2020, and was featured in the 2024 exhibition Artists by Artists: Tracy’s Creative Community Past and Present, with his contribution held in the permanent collection of the Tracy Historical Museum. In addition, he has been a youth educator since 2017 and a performance artist combining song and painting since 2023.

“My hope is to offer a space where visitors can pause, and just breathe. As I dealt with difficulties – such as recovering from a housefire, seeing family struggle with health issues and coping with the stress of life – I found solace in family, music, making art and in quiet, private times with myself. I want my work to foster a sanctuary for inward rejuvenation, honest reflection and meaningful conversations about culture, identity and what it truly means to belong. In honoring these stories, I pray this work stirs a longing for the United States of America to live up to the promise of refuge for all – every culture, every background. As for now, within these walls, everyone is invited.” – Caleb Dowdell

Influence & Inspiration: from the Studios of Artists

Influence & Inspiration: from the Studios of Artists is a unique and rare exploration into the things that provide influence and inspiration within the creative process. Five artists were invited, representing three generations and working in a variety of media. They were challenged to let us see their work in an entirely new way. The results range in emotion, perspective and reference; compelling, deeply personal, surprising and funny!

Ilena Finocchi (Stockton, CA) is a celebrated multidisciplinary artist, educator and curator. Ms. Finocchi holds an M.F.A. in Ceramic Sculpture from Rochester Institute of Technology (NY) and a B.F.A. in Studio Art and Graphic Design from Youngstown State University (OH). She works in numerous media and outlets including illustration, sculpture, public art, animation and filmmaking, and has exhibited nationally for over 30 years.

“With over three decades of creative exploration, I weave together threads of memory, nature, and the shifting tides of technology into my work. Rooted in the echoes of childhood and the enduring memories of family, my art serves as a way to process and express the world I inhabit. The work aims to create a bridge between inner reflection and the collective resonance.” – Ilena Finocchi

Mark Knize (Tracy, CA) is a full-time artist after a career as a research scientist. Mr. Knize works primarily in wood, but also in clay, metal and concrete. His geometric work is available in galleries, online and privately, and has been featured in juried exhibitions nationally. In addition, Mark has been published articles in American Woodturner magazine in 2010, 2012 and 2016.

“I enjoy trying to achieve the perfect form with a beautiful material, like wood. I see my work functioning as a key visual point within a room, inviting a look and a touch. Preparing for this show has been a mildly painful exercise in examining my art and motivation. Digging through my documents and objects is like seeing old friends, but some were lost in bouts of de-cluttering.” – Mark Knize

Cory Morrison (Manteca, CA) is a mixed-media artist and high school educator from California’s Central Valley. At San Joaquin Delta College, Mr. Morrison developed an appreciation for education, studying anthropology and botany alongside drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. He became influenced by artists of the Minimalist, Land Art, Process Art, and Conceptual Art movements while studying at California State University, Stanislaus. Natural processes and Earth-human relationships inform his creative practice, which includes exploring local ecosystems, foraging for organic materials and experimenting with unconventional techniques.

“The exhibit’s concept made me reflect not only on what inspires and influences me, but also on what truly drives me to create. In response, my work won’t be about the final product, but a visual representation of my creative process. I hadn’t fully realized until now how important it is for me to have a tactile, hands-on relationship with texture. Nature offers a unique, multi-sensory experience that keeps me curious and engaged – something I hope the viewer feels as well.” – Cory Morrison

Susan Richardson (Tracy, CA) is an educator, poet and mixed-media artist working in calligraphy, letterform, printmaking and artist’s books. Ms. Richardson holds a B.A. from Simmons College (MA), M.A in English Education from Boise State University (ID) and Ph.D. in Education in Language and Literacy from U.C. Berkeley (CA). She curated the exhibition Transforming the Written Word presented at the Grand in 2014, and has been exhibiting professionally for over 20 years.

“After 40 years of artmaking, I want it to be fun again. I had let a desire to succeed in ‘the art world’ cause me to focus on results and recognition. What a mistake! I’m now reconnecting with the joy that comes from creating without expectations.” – Susan Richardson

Henrietta Sparkman (Modesto, CA) is an artist, educator and arts administrator. Ms. Sparkman holds a B.A. and Lifetime Teaching Credential from Fresno State University (CA). Across mediums including painting, printmaking and sculpture, she is celebrated for en plein air, monotypes, figurative and abstract works alike. Henrietta has exhibited extensively and is a well-known arts advocate in our region.

“Participating in this exhibit opened the door to take a serious look at my creative life, and how I’ve evolved as a person and an artist. I’ve realized how early the importance of the arts became an integral ingredient in my life’s work. Eclectic in subject matter and mediums, this allowed me to develop deeper insights into my humanity. As a toddler to schooling and career, each step along the way with casual and pronounced influences have developed my visual voice for who I am today.” – Henrietta Sparkman

William Wilson is an interdisciplinary artist, educator, arts administrator, consultant and curator with 35 years of experience working in the arts, education, entertainment and government. Mr. Wilson holds a B.F.A. in Studio Art and Graphic Design from Youngstown State University (OH), and has collaborated with thousands of artists in hundreds of exhibitions and events. He has served the City of Tracy – Cultural Arts Division as Cultural Arts Manager/Supervisor since 2006.

“To ask an artist to share what’s most important, absolutely personal and perhaps even secretive, in their creative process is challenging and uncommon. These five collaborators accepted my invitation to evaluate their influences and inspirations publicly. The result is a time-based project, one-of-a-kind exhibition, and giving engagement about the act of making.” – William Wilson, Curator

The View in Front of Us: Four Interpretations

The View in Front of Us: Four Interpretations presents an on-location and plein air painting project by Chella Gonsalves, Chad Hunter, Rick Ingraham and Vince Walsh. The collective collaborated to select locations across the region for an exploration of creative interpretation, including the use of different mediums and unique painting processes. The result is a comparative body of work which coveys a unified grandeur.

As a collaborative project, the artists challenged themselves to seek both well-known and undiscovered locations within an hour’s drive from Tracy. While the selected sites offered scenes of interest, they were also chosen for qualities that would present challenges. Often working side by side, each artist was intent on contributing their best work, working in a variety of mediums including acrylic, oil, watercolor and mixed-media.

Chella Gonsalves (Modesto, CA) has painted extensively throughout her life. Ms. Gonsalves taught art in the Modesto City School District for 27 years. As an accomplished artist, she has worked in a variety of mediums and styles. Chella is drawn to the familiar scenes of the Central Valley including homesteads, farming and landmarks, striving to immortalize what is disappearing.

“I find many different and unusual details of the buildings, alleys and downtown structures. Along with the paintings come pieces of the sounds, sights, and smells of the surroundings. I hope the viewer feels some of the same soul-searching vibes.” – Chella

Chad Hunter (Manteca, CA) is a graphic designer, muralist, illustrator and plein air painter. Mr. Hunter grew up in the East Bay area feeding a love of nature, Star Wars and art. He holds a BFA in Illustration from BYU (Brigham Young University), and an MFA in Visual Arts from MU (Marywood University). Chad has received numerous awards in exhibitions throughout California.

“I strive to paint what cannot be painted: the energy, the poetry, or the interpretation rather than a literal representation. To me, plein air painting must be more than a simple copy of a scene. Yes, it should capture the light, shadow, texture and color, but in the end, it must be an emotional response by the artist.” – Chad Hunter

Rick Ingraham (Carmel, CA) is a plein air and studio artist who was first introduced to plein air painting in an intensive, on-location painting course while attending the University of the Pacific. Throughout Mr. Ingraham’s professional career as a clinical psychologist, he continued his arts education. Rick is a member of the American Society of Marine Artists, The Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association and The Valley Sun Catchers.

“I look for subjects with interesting design elements and stories that resonate with me. My motivation goes beyond simply documenting subjects at different locations. Capturing the general atmosphere and mood is always a welcome challenge. Using a loose painting style, I leave some elements vague and undefined, prompting viewers to draw from their own life experiences to complete the story.” – Rick Ingraham

Vince Walsh (Tracy, CA) has painted and exhibited across the region for over 40 years, working in a style that blends realism and impressionism. As an arts educator, Mr. Walsh teaches acrylic and oil painting at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, and for the We Heart Art Academy in Central California Correctional Facilities. Vince is a member and past-president of the Tracy Art League, and a member of several regional plein air painting groups including The Valley Sun Catchers, Friday Painters and Da Group.

“My goal in painting has never been to merely reproduce what I see, but to interpret what I see in a personal way. Exhilaration comes from the act of painting. Creative expression is magic.” – Vince Walsh

Primary Filter: Exhibitions

UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Main Entrance Terrazzo

UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Main Entrance Terrazzo

GRANDfest

GRANDfest

Refuge – Paintings by Caleb Dowdell

Influence & Inspiration: from the Studios of Artists

Influence & Inspiration: from the Studios of Artists

The View in Front of Us: Four Interpretations

The View in Front of Us: Four Interpretations

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