Opening Reception: The Fabric of Democracy
2026-06-25 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 20 4th St, Petaluma, CA, United States
Explore how quilts have served as powerful tools for civic expression for more than two centuries.

Thursday, June 25, 6-8 PM
Petaluma Historical Library & Museum
20 4th Street (Corner of 4th & B Street)
Admission Free, Reservations Requested
Join the Petaluma Museum for the opening celebration of The Fabric of Democracy: Quilts and the Power of the People, a landmark exhibition exploring how quilts have expressed civic ideals, personal stories, and social change throughout American history.
Presented as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary, the exhibition features historic and contemporary quilts that illuminate the ways individuals and communities have used textile art to advocate for justice, build community, preserve memory, and imagine a better future.
The evening will include:

First look at the exhibition
Remarks from the curators
Meet-and-greet with participating artists and lenders
Light refreshments
An opportunity to participate in Common Threads: A Community Quilt Project, a collaborative quilt inspired by the Museum’s annual July 4 Wish Wall

From abolition and suffrage to civil rights, environmental advocacy, and contemporary community-based projects, The Fabric of Democracy highlights the enduring power of quilts to tell stories, inspire dialogue, and connect people across generations.
Celebrate the opening of this unique exhibition and join us in reflecting on the values, voices, and experiences that continue to shape our shared future.
About the Exhibition
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, The Fabric of Democracy invites visitors to explore how quilts have served as powerful tools for civic expression for more than two centuries. Featuring works by artists, collectors, and community partners, the exhibition examines the intersections of art, history, identity, and democracy through the lens of quiltmaking. The Exhibit will run through Sunday, August 2.
Special thanks to the City of Petaluma for supporting this exhibition and its related public programs.

Annual July 4th Celebration and Bell Ringing
2026-07-04 10:00 - 12:00
An uplifting morning of music, history, community, and the ringing of the historic Korbel Bell.
Saturday, July 4 • 10 AM – 12 PM
Petaluma Historical Library & Museum
20 4th Street (Corner of 4th and B St.)
On sale Jun 14, 2026
Free – Reservations Requested

Join us for the Petaluma Museum’s annual July 4 community celebration featuring live music, local history, refreshments, and the ringing of the historic Korbel Bell.
This year, inspired by the US 250th anniversary and our exhibition The Fabric of Democracy: Quilts and the Power of the People, we invite the community to gather in a spirit of reflection, connection, and belonging. Just as individual pieces are stitched together to create a quilt, our community is strengthened by the many voices, stories, and traditions that unite us.
The morning program will include performances by local musicians and choirs, participation by Petaluma’s Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, and remarks from community leaders. The celebration culminates with the ringing of the historic Korbel Bell thirteen times in honor of the original colonies—a beloved Petaluma tradition since 1962.

After the ceremony, guests are invited to enjoy lemonade, cookies, mimosas courtesy of Korbel, and an opportunity to ring the bell themselves.
Whether you’re a longtime attendee or joining us for the first time, we welcome you to celebrate community, history, and the many threads that connect us.

Stitched Together: Quilts, Community, and the Stories That Connect Us
2026-07-15 18:00 - 20:00
A conversation about quilting, community, and the power of collaborative creativity.

Wednesday, July 15, 6-8 PM
Petaluma Historical Library & Museum
20 4th Street (Corner of 4th & B Street)
Admission Free, Reservations Requested
Join quiltmakers from the Petaluma Museum’s exhibit The Fabric of Democracy: Quilts and the Power of the People for a discussion about quilting, community, and the power of collaborative creativity.
Whether you’re a quilter, artist, history enthusiast, or simply curious about the role of creativity in community life, this conversation offers a unique opportunity to hear from artists whose work demonstrates the enduring relevance of quilting as a form of expression, connection, and collective storytelling.
Panelists
Pamela Van Halsema (We the People Quilt Project): Pamela Van Halsema is a graphic designer, educator, and community organizer who works at the intersection of art, education, and civic engagement. She is the creator and organizer of the We the People Quilt Project, a collaborative effort that invites community members to express their hopes and aspirations for the future through quiltmaking.
Karen Bolan (Quilting Professional): Karen Bolan is a quilt teacher, lecturer, and community-builder based in Santa Rosa who grew up in Petaluma. After a career as a drinking water engineer, she transitioned to teaching quilting full time in 2021. Today, Karen travels nationally and internationally, inspiring quilters to strengthen their communities through creativity, collaboration, and mutual support. She is passionate about the power of quilting to bring people together and foster connections both within quilting groups and in the broader community.
Melanie Walas (Stopped in Motion: Pandemic Art Quilts): Melanie Walas is a multidisciplinary Bay Area artist working in fiber, painting, and ceramics. She earned a degree in Fine Art from Messiah College and began her career at the Philadelphia Museum of Art before moving to California. Her work has spanned costume design, stop-motion animation, visual effects, and fine art. While at Industrial Light & Magic, she contributed to films including the Star Wars prequels, Transformers, Pirates of the Caribbean, Rango, A.I., and many others. Her artwork has been exhibited throughout California, and she continues to work across multiple artistic disciplines.
Jessica Cadkin (Stopped in Motion: Pandemic Art Quilts): Jessica Cadkin grew up in Napa, California and earned a BA in Sculpture and Painting from San Francisco State University. Her work has appeared in exhibitions internationally and throughout California, including the Headlands Center for the Arts, Southern Exposure, di Rosa Preserve, and the Bedford Gallery. She became involved with The Process—fondly known as the Stitch & Bitchers—in 2015 and has been a member of Oakland’s Mercury Twenty Gallery since 2020.
Lauren Vogt (Stopped in Motion: Pandemic Art Quilts): Lauren Vogt moved to California after college in Illinois to begin her film career in San Rafael, working at various studios, including Industrial Light & Magic and Colossal Pictures. Her skills include sculpting, mold making, model painting, stop-motion puppet fabrication, and costume design and construction. Her work can be seen in films such as the Star Wars prequels, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline, Howard the Duck, Spaceballs, and many others. Collaboration and teamwork have been the most valuable constants throughout her career, an ethos Lauren continues to carry into her work with The Process, a group of women who connected through the film industry.
Presented in conjunction with The Fabric of Democracy: Quilts and the Power of the People, on view at the Petaluma Historical Library & Museum June 18-August 2 as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary commemoration. With thanks to the City pf Petaluma for their support of the exhibit and programming.
