John Natsoulas Gallery

A monumental (emphasis on «mental») pileup on the corner of First Street and E Street: the business of business is business.

Caravaggio would have painted a huge tenebroso «male organ» on the side of this gallery. Most of the older artist seem to hate having young people around their art? They remind me of old dogs angry at their tumors. One day John Natsoulas is your friend and the next day he discards you like the bag of hot dogs he had the night before. Thanks for painting a terrible mural on the parking structure wall connected to the Regal Theater. It’s so special. Now I’m reminded of John Natsoulas every time I watch a movie. I wish I could break through that concrete and join the troupe of eccentric, extra special townies wearing fuzzy sweaters and grumbling about UC Davis. Maybe then I can fart in a can and sell it for $ 5000 at the John Natsoulas gallery.

I learned about the grand opening of the John Natsoulas Gallery from Unilocal’s UYE event posting. This grand opening exhibit presented a collection of various artists representations of California’s landscapes and the outdoors. The venue is pretty easy to find as it is on 1^st Street in Davis, which is the main thoroughfare most people drive on when arriving from the highway.
The gallery is located in a large 3 — story house with a tower which has a 4^th floor. There is artwork on each floor. The primary media was oil or water color on canvas, however the 3^rd floor had plenty of 3-​dimensional sculptures.
Wine was served in the reception area for all who attended the grand opening. I sipped a Cabernet Sauv while I read through and studied every piece. It took me nearly 2 hours to go through the entire exhibit, but I read and study everything. I take a long time because I do not want to miss a thing. To me this exhibit displayed how several different artists depict California in all her beauty. I was completely enamored.
My absolute favorite artist in this exhibit is Richard B. Morall. And my favorite painting by him are Olivehurst Castle, Elements, and Aguascalientes. I was pissed. I wanted to buy one of his paintings. But I would have to sell a lung to afford it.
The 3^rd floor had several 3-​dimensional art pieces. I really enjoyed artist Amber Aguirre’s dog series… they were hot! With that said, I found it comical when I heard an elderly group of women discussing the ludicrous sexuality depicted in her pieces I, on the other hand, fucking loved it.
If you come to visit Davis the John Natsoulas Gallery is a must. This would be a great place to go for a dinner — museum — then coffee date.

Multiple stories of gorgeous art. You can really get lost here. I especially loved the landscape paintings by Sean Sutter that were up in January.

Beautiful Mid-​Size Art Gallery Set-​Up In Downtown Davis
SETUP
John Natsoulas Gallery is Located on the corner of 1^st & F Streets in Downtown Davis, and it is part of a long line of houses that I knew (and looks like still is to) the «Fraternity Row» that was in my hood when I was in graduate school there.
But now this art gallery — and it’s partner Pachamama Davis Coffee Cooperative — is part of a bigger & expanded complex taking over a larger part of this block.
SPACE CONFIGURATION
The beautiful John Natsoulas Gallery has quite the layout that I got to enjoy recently while at a Holiday Party — I got to see the entire layout of the building structure which included the following:
= The street-​level where though the 1^st Street entrance their partner Pachamama Davis Coffee Cooperative is located and they take over about half of the ground floor
= The back part of the ground floor where the Art Gallery begins and there is another entrance along F Street
= The second level where art, tables & balcony space co-​exist in a dynamic hybrid joint-​use format — ideal for study groups.
= The large open air 3^rd level floor which leads up to the lovely rooftop balcony.
A lot of usable space for both students chilling with some coffee while studying, and for patrons moving from level to level to take in the art.
THE ART
The art is quite beautiful and they feature a lot of different mediums, though what I noted the most were the sculptures and the large paintings. Though preference is directed to highlight the works of local and regional artists, it has featured artists of national note.
EVENT SPACE
Because of the beautiful and lush surroundings, the gallery works perfectly as an event-​space for meetings even for a wedding that was held here. So there is a lot of ways to enjoy this gallery.
THE LOWDOWN
An energetic & dynamic art gallery that may be utilized for a lot of beautiful and exciting purposes.

The basics: Only happened to drop in here for the 2013 Unilocal Festivus for the Restivus. Seems like it is a nice little local gallery with plenty of room to wander around during a normal day. The gallery is bright and clean and in a pretty neat building. I myself only went through 3 floors, but I understand there was a 4^th floor or roof I didn’t make it too.
What works: Location was nice. The building is bright and open.
What to improve: Nothing I can think to mention
The short version: A nice little local gallery that is close to all the action in Davis. Likely worth a stop while you are wandering around.

Luci N. & I visited this three-​story gallery on Festivus night and it was packed! Its location, at the gateway to Davis’ stroll-​friendly downtown, is made even better with the addition of the new Pachamama café.
The third floor was my favorite, flooded with light, and high ceilings offering the wall acreage needed for those really large art works.
If you’re in town and the weather’s nice, bring the bikes or rent em just a couple blocks away. The nearby Davis Arboretum offers miles of walking (or a scenic and non-​workout bike ride) and it’s also a perfect place for your picnic lunch.

I love this gallery! Although I’ve visited this place a handful of times, it always feels like a new adventure. With each floor, it’s like entering a new world and it’s just so exciting! My favorite floor is the 2^nd floor where there’s loose wood boards that creeks when you walk across it. I don’t know why, but it makes the experience that much funner! I always love ending my journey by checking out the roof. There’s amazing mosaic tile sculptures, which also double as chairs. Not to mention the view!

Even before entering the gallery I was impressed. A giant, multi-​colored metal statue stands on the street in front of the entrance to the downstairs Pachamama coffee shop and is unavoidable when entering Davis. Venture inside, grab a coffee and then peruse their shop — all before entering the gallery.
Unless you detest art in any form, you’ll be impressed once inside. It’s three levels of modern, open and clean white space adorned with an evolving selection of artworks from both local and more national artists. It’s great for an event, and that’s exactly why I decided to throw an event there.
If you are visiting for the first time, I suggest going Thursday evenings when they usually have some live music and folks to greet you. You’ll wonder why you didn’t visit long beforehand.

Ever in the artsy fartsy mood? Natsoulas is the place for you! And now they have a liquor license so you have another excuse to booze up before noon.
Bigger than it seems on the outside, still cute and quaint, some cool and free events, and of course, interesting art. (Please no hate for describing something, especially art, as «interesting»: it’s 4 AM, unfortunately my late night banter doesn’t come with any creative juices)
Try to stop by if you’re in the area.

I prefer the other more «modern» art gallery in Davis but this place retains the vintage feel of what Old Davis used to be.
I have been here on several Saturday’s after Farmer’s Market excursions and just wandered aimlessly into this gallery. I don’t think I’d ever come in here on purpose, not to say that this place isn’t pretty neat though in its own way.
They feature many– and I do mean A LOT of different art pieces; they have one staircase that is just filled with a ridiculous amount of art just laying around on the floor waiting to be hung up. But their focus on the new and emerging art is always appreciated.
They have a café downstairs and have live music sporadically; it’s a great place to hang out. Love it!

It’s close, cool, and cheap! CCC
I thought it was a lot of fun to walk through, and with the right company, going through the multi-​level maze is a blast.

Natsoulas is pretty much the center of local contemporary art. They display and feature artists in Davis as well as the greater Sacramento areas. However, that isn’t to say they are limited by their locality. Its definitely worth dropping by if you have a few minutes to spare if you haven’t already. I find it a pretty nice study space, especially at their loft on the second floor and their rooftop.
I’m not sure what their schedules are, but I’ve been by during the summer where they have live music and poetry readings outside, and these are the kind of local events that I enjoy most about in living in a small town. Its not usually the place to go for busy college students, but I think its nice to hang around locals and just enjoy what Davis has to offer.

features wonderful artists and exhibits are current and interesting

Four years and a quarter in college, and I can’t count how many papers I have written on the couches overlooking the main gallery hall. This review is not about a one time experience, but about the home this five story madhouse represents to me.
The Natsoulas gallery has offered a sanctuary from the school library, cramped coffee shops, and even my own home. It offers a quiet (but not too quiet) environment, people-​watching to jog the creative juices, and room to pace if that’s just how you roll.
The workers at the gallery are always friendly, helpful, and willing to give up the wifi password. The coffeeshop is well stocked with juices, snacks, and yeah, the coffee’s pretty good.
I always enjoy stumbling in during the evenings when there is a reading, open-​mic night, or any other event. They’re always well attended and maintains a level of unexpectedness.
To me this building represents work, creativity, and even a monumental first date.
Maybe you will find something similar.

I love this gallery. You always feel welcome to stroll the gallery’s four floors of art. They also have a great book selection. While I can’t afford the larger pieces they do have a section of affordable art in the stairwell. They also have small works event fairly frequently. Their receptions are open to the public and often serve wine and have live music.

This place is fricken awesome. The outside isn’t much, and after knowing its an art gallery no one ever gives it a second look. Today me and my friends decided to be adventurous and go inside. Once inside we were greeted by John and he was a very friendly. The gallery is separated into 3 floors and and multiple galleries. You can go all the way to the top of the building where there is a large ceramics gallery. On the 2^nd floor they have a loft type area overlooking the 1^st floor gallery, with tables and chairs for people to study. Did I mention there is free wifi!
What I recommend:
–Walk around and enjoy the art its very entertaining.
–Check out the bathroom, everything in there is art.
–Study and chill

I gotta say I’ve always been indifferent to all the Natsoulas stuff. Seemed to be wildly popular around the area but never really did it for me. I studied under Wayne Thiebaud and many of the other faculty at UCD but other than those works, they never achieved the level of exhibitions you would in the SF area.

hollatcha! MY FIRST non-​restaurant review.
I’ve only been to this place once, but it brought me great memories. It was 2 years ago during sophomore year of college. 3 friends and I walked in after eating at Plutos (you can read my review for that). Mm… I’ll write a few highlights. Back then, there were sculptures on the first floor (pretty interesting). If you’re all blinggged out, you can even buy them, (they have a price tag). I advise against it though, they had a SOCK exhibition, clay socks for $ 500 each!
On the second floor, there’s paintings, and when I was last there, this artist drew on all his rejection letters (before he made it big) so they had a whole wall dedicated to him.
My favorite part, is a hidden secret, haha, all you lovers out there should come here. There’s somethanggg special for you. So feel free to ask me, and I’ll let you know. Why put the secret here, when revealing the secret will no longer keep it a secret? Yes Brian, you just used 3 secret’s in one line. Super secret, that’s why.
I give it 5 stars, and let me explain my rating. I am only rating it in the realms of Davis, in comparison with the other art centers. It would’ve been a 4 without that secret place. Why not rate it against other places? Boys and girls, I’ve been to other musuems all over and even in Paris. So this art museum in comparison with the Louvre or Orsay? 1 star easily.
MMhmm!

Hmm. I like that the gallery’s building stands out among the surrounding places — after all, it’s an art gallery on a corner of a street filled with food shops and restaurants in a quiet cow town.
This gallery has many levels, and lots of various art pieces. There are hilarious pieces as well as serious intense ones — a guy took all his rejection letters from all these different galleries and centers, and altered them and turned them into an art collaboration. They are done by local artists.
There are postcards, various knick-​knacks, and books for sale in the first floor. The people that work there are super-​friendly and very informative.