Growing art scene in Lodi highlights wine country charm
On a quiet street in the quaint downtown of the Central Valley’s wine country, a slow but steady art resurgence is underway.
Lodi, known for its small-town charm and 85 wineries, is home to a handful of galleries, including School Street Gallery, Lodi Community Art Center, Segale’s Double Dip Gallery and Barrigas Fine Arts, all within walking distance of the city’s downtown. Artists and art curators there say the art scene is growing and worth exploring.
“It’s a cultural experience,” said Michael Montanez, co-owner of School Street Gallery. “There aren’t a lot of galleries so it’s unique for the area, and a lot of the pieces reflect the culture of Lodi and what we do here.”
For example, the walls of School Street Gallery boast paintings of vineyards, fused glass fills shelves and custom furniture made out of repurposed wine barrels speak both to the artists’ backgrounds and the local wine scene.
On the first Friday of each month from 6-8:30 p.m., the streets fill with residents and visitors alike for Lodi’s monthly First Friday Art Hop. Permanent and temporary gallery spaces open to the public for a chance to view art, meet artists, sample local wines and snack on appetizers.
In 2006, local artist and Segale’s Double Dip Gallery owner Tony Segale, brought together local artists to paint nine murals throughout Lodi he calls “advertorials” — pictures and lettering that tell a community-centric message. After the initial set was finished, Segale painted the remaining three, creating a collection he’s dubbed “Head West Walldogs” after the colloquial term “walldog,” another name for a muralist. Many of the murals are historic in nature, and 11 can be seen walking around downtown. (A Walldogs walking tour brochure is available at
the Visit Lodi! Visitor Center, 25 N. School St.)
Headed to Lodi? Don’t miss any of these galleries or upcoming events.
HUTCHINS STREET SQUARE
Located in the heart of downtown, Hutchins Street Square is a performing arts, community and conference space. The square hosts a variety of art classes throughout the year for children and adults, live theater and music performances and community events, including the Sandhill Crane Festival in November. The annual event offers dozens of tours to see the birds in their natural habitat and activities for all ages at the Square.
SEGALE’S DOUBLE DIP GALLERY
Tony Segale started the Double Dip Gallery after working for more than three decades in and around Lodi as a hand-lettering artist. The gallery features his watercolors alongside handcrafted jewelry and other work from local artists. Double Dip is also home to a full ice cream counter where Segale sells Sacramento-based Gunther’s Ice Cream to patrons so they can “enjoy some ice cream while you’re checking out the art.”
SCHOOL STREET GALLERY
Started in 2015, the School Street Gallery features work from more than 20 artists in Lodi — paintings, fused glass, custom furniture and more. Most pieces feature statements from the artists and Montanez says the gallery is hoping to host art classes in the near future.
BARRIGAS FINE ARTS
Artist and owner Daniel Barriga’s gallery space features paintings he’s done exclusively using an airbrush. In addition to the art hanging in the gallery, Barriga does custom work for homes, businesses and vehicles throughout California. A Lodi native, Barriga said said his goal is to become a greater artist and help improve the community.
LODI COMMUNITY ART CENTER
Part gallery, part work space, the community art center is a 100 percent volunteer-run organization of local artists who create everything from watercolor and acrylic to painted fabric and handmade cards. Typically, the walls of the gallery space feature work from a variety of artists, but once a month during Lodi’s Art Hop, one artist is featured with 10 to 15 pieces on one wall. Volunteer Joyce Costa said the center is worth visiting for anybody who loves art and wants to see work created locally.
“I come every month to look at all the pieces and be inspired,” she said. “If you like to create and be around art, this is the place to be.”