Meet the Artists
As part of the EPIC campaign eight new trash bins have been added along portions of Sebastopol Road. Of those newly installed bins, local artwork is featured on four self-compacting big belly trash cans along Sebastopol Road that really make them pop! These trash bins not only serve a purpose as a place for citizens to easily put their trash and keep streets clean, but as a symbol of a resilient and vibrant community filled with forward thinking artists. Something as simple as providing more trash or recycling receptacles for the community is a proven way to decrease trash on streets.
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ARTIST BIOS
Irma Rodríguez
Biografía del artista: Irma Rodríguez es una artesana nacída en San Pedro Taviche Ocotlán, Oaxaca. Aprendío a pintar cuando era pequeña observando a sus papás y tíos haciendo Alebrijes. El Alebrije es un tipo de artesanía originaria de México hecho de cartonería o árbol de Copal, y se pintan con colores alegres y vibrantes. Son seres imaginarios conformados por elementos fisonómicos de animales diferentes, una combinación de varios animales, no solo fantásticos sino también reales que forman un ser alucinante. Este trabajo le a dado a Irma la oportunidad de demostrar su habilidad artística en el Condado de Sonoma y como una herramienta para auto saneamiento y prevenir la depresión a causa de no tener familia extendida localmente. Ella usa estos talleres de arte para compartir su cultura y crear comunidad.
Irma Rodríguez is an artisan born in San Pedro Taviche Ocotlán, Oaxaca. She learned to paint when she was a little girl watching her parents, aunts and uncles making Alebrijes. The Alebrije is a type of craft native to Mexico made of cardboard or Copal tree, painted with bright and vibrant colors. They are imaginary beings conformed by a combination of several mythical and actual animals. This work has given Irma the opportunity to demonstrate her artistic ability in Sonoma County and as a tool for self-healing and preventing depression because of not having extended family locally. She uses art workshops to share her culture and to create community.
Raizes Collective came together to offer artists and communities of color the resources of space, programming, events, shows and activities to affect social and political change through art and community building. We believe this facilitates healing of the divisions within our diverse communities. Raizes uses culturally responsive curriculum and is home to critical and culturally competent artists of color that lead programs, events, and the organization.
A lived experience lens allows the collective to understand and share with one another as they navigate issues of injustice in the communities where they live.
Programming reflects the needs shared by the communities receiving the service/program.
Dawn Thomas
Artist Bio: The child of Lutheran Missionaries, Dawn Thomas spent her childhood in Liberia, Argentina and Chile. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Visual Fine Art at UC Santa Cruz. Dawn has been a painter for most of her career, earning a living in Advertising and Education. She has been teaching Art at Santa Rosa Middle School for the last 20 years and will be showing her work in this year's Art At The Source.
About the Artwork: Last year, a Paletero showed up outside my classroom after school, with his rainbow-colored umbrella, I went out and started taking photos of the gorgeous colors and delicious snacks he was offering from his cart. My students love the spicy chips, ice cream, paletas and chicharrones that the food vendor sells. Food is a joy we all share, and when we enjoy it together, we become a community. I enjoyed painting the after-school tableau that the bike cart created, because it is an iconic part of our community here in Santa Rosa.
Artist website and/or Social Media links:
Website: www.dawn-thomas.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dawnthomasartist/
FURRY TRASH MONSTER BY Kirsten Doernberger
Artist Bio: Kirsten Doernberger lives with her husband, Bill, and son, William, in Santa Rosa. She has a Bachelor of Science in Art from the University of Wisconsin- Madison. After teaching art classes for children in Chicago, Illinois, she decided to pursue a career in occupational therapy.She completed a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at Boston University and thenmoved to Santa Rosa to be closer to family. She currently works as a pediatric occupational therapist, where she is able to apply skills from her background in art to her treatment sessions for children with special needs. She draws inspiration from her son and all the other incredible children she is so lucky to spend time with.
About the Artwork: Furry Trash Monster is inspired by how my 4-year-old son William looks at the world with wonder, excitement and a silly sense of humor. Even throwing trash away is an exciting event! It was made with soft pastels and colored pencils.
Native Flowers of Sonoma County by Windsor High School Advanced Art class
Gabrielle Gamboa is a Santa Rosa-based artist and arts educator. She teaches Visual art at Windsor High School. In collaboration with her Advanced Art class, they designed artwork for the Big Belly Trash Can project that features the native flowers of Sonoma County.
Redd Plumb is a 17 year-old artist who focuses mainly on character art and multimedia pieces. His website is www.sites.google.com/view/reddportfolio/
Senior Anthony Lopez wanted to express the more calming aspect of life and keep it with a more mellow feeling. “Using fairies dancing with their mates just added a more magical feel to the piece that I thought would be really nice.”
Miako Pizzorno is a senior. Besides currently completing an Advanced Placement Art Portfolio, she is team captain of the girls wrestling team, teaches judo and self defense at a local judo club in Sonoma County, and trains in Muay Thai kickboxing.
Mia Blonski is a senior. She has been making art since she was in preschool, often working with her grandma, local artist Marilee Ford. Illustration has always been her passion, so she hopes to continue to invest in that as well as practice and study the art of tattooing.
Abby Stephens is 17 and makes lots of art, mostly digital, and mostly focusing on character and environmental design. They are also very involved in theater. To see more art or to commission them: www.sites.google.com/view/abbystephens-digitalportfolio
Antonio Apineru is 17 years old. He likes to do a little bit of everything: art, music, etc. “I saw the flower as something that could contain something inside of it so I decided to use Samoan tribal tattoos, it made me clear because both are beautiful things and I wanted to get my culture involved to show what people have been missing.”
Senior Grace Balzer has been doing art since a young age, but started to take it more seriously in 2020. She mainly does digital art but enjoys exploring different mediums and being able to express herself through art. She is currently completing an AP Art Portoflio. Her Instagram: www.instagram.com/po.taido?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Elijah Santos is a senior who loves collecting things. I specifically collect toy animals called Littlest Pet Shops, which gave me inspiration for my art piece. The hamster references one of the toys I own, and he's having a little dance party with a Bitter Root flower on his head.
MARTIN ZUNIGA
La Esencia (The essence ) by Martin Zuniga
About the Artwork:
The essence that is produced by the cactus that gives us life Hope and resiliency.
The Heron by Martin Zuniga
About the Artwork:
After school Shepherd elementary the Heron with freedom of expression
MONARCH BY WINTER HOLDER
Artist Bio:
Winter is an art student based in Santa Rosa California. His art is frequently inspired by nature and spirituality. He loves painting, ceramics, and functional art. Since December 2023, Winter has been making jewelry for various clients and took up candle making as a hobby in February 2025.
About the Artwork:
"Monarch butterflies symbolize the souls of the departed returning to the world of the living to visit loved ones. I wanted to showcase this beautiful representation of the cycle of life because our society undervalues connection to our ancestors. Monarch butterflies represent the ever present change and transformation in our lives. I hope that observers of my art will learn to embrace change."
Santa Rosa Wildlife by Brittany Rankin
Artist Bio:
Brittany Rankin is a digital artist based in her hometown of Windsor, California. She studied art at Santa Rosa Junior College, and earned a Bachelors degree in Design from UC Davis. Brittany loves creating whimsical and dynamic compositions and experimenting with shape and color. Nature and animals are some of her favorite subjects to draw and paint.
About the Artwork:
“I wanted to celebrate the natural beauty of Santa Rosa and Sonoma County by creating a pattern featuring the native plants and animals of the area. My hope is that viewers will stop to consider how their participation in proper waste disposal helps to preserve and protect our local wildlife."
Social Media: @brittrankinart.bsky.social
Alex goosief, artquest
About the Artwork:
This follows the principles of bauhaus with various shapes and patterns. The goal for this was too make it feel fun, playful, and lighthearted or at least make someone chuckle as they walk past it or while they throw something away. There was an attempt to carry your eyes through the work as some bits stayed within the confines of the space and while some of it strayed off.
Kaleidescope Kingdom by Desiree Trombla
Artist Bio:
Desiree Trombla, known as DejaVoo, is a dynamic artist whose creative expression spans across a diverse range of mediums and styles. Originally from Humboldt County, currently residing in Sonoma, Desiree aims to cultivate an artistic practice that engages her community, merging the traditional with the contemporary for a fresh, artistic approach. Desiree has participated in gallery shows, solo exhibitions and runs an art business called Studio DejaVoo. Working with paint, ink, digital design, clay and product manufacturing - diversity and experimentation is a hallmark of her work. Desiree’s use of vivid, saturated color palettes aim to create an immersive experience, offering her audience a chance to escape into an imaginary world of vivid storytelling.
About the Artwork:
This hand illustrated digital art piece bursts with a playful, cartoon-like charm, blending whimsical colors with a spunky outlaw theme. Set against the backdrop of vast desert landscapes and the open road, this piece captures a sense of distant horizons and adventurous freedom, evoking the spirit of the wild west.
Woven Blessings for the People by Joe Salinas
Artist Bio:
Joe Salinas is a Kashia Band of Pomo Indians enrolled tribal member who was born and raised in Santa Rosa. In his free time, he is a dance group leader, a cultural presenter, and enjoys cleaning up the city with Native Art. Art has always been a passion of his since he was in High School.