American Women Artists (AWA) is pleased to feature the Sparrow Gallery. We are grateful for the donorship of this Gallery Showcase Award for one of our talented artist members!
One artist of AWA’s 2021 Spring Online Juried Show will have a unique opportunity to showcase her artwork in a solo exhibition at Sparrow Gallery in Sacramento, CA.
The winning artist will be featured in the local newspaper (The Sacramento Bee) and will be marketed to Sparrow Gallery’s customers through postcards and social media.
Sparrow Gallery
Spring Online Juried Exhibition
Applications are open to all AWA Associate & Associate with Distinction Members from January 14 through March 15, 2021 for AWA’s Spring Online Juried Show. Finalists will be announced by April 9. Interested applicants are encouraged to view the prospectus for more information to apply.
Founding Owner, Cynthia Lou
About Sparrow Gallery
Founded in 2014 by Cynthia Lou, the Sparrow Gallery represents approximately 40 artists. Of that number, 90% are local to Northern California and 80% of those artists are women artists.
AWA’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Camille, had a chance to chat with the founding owner, Cynthia Lou, about the gallery’s history and how they are continuing business successfully during the pandemic.
Sparrow Gallery began by chance when Cynthia was working for another local gallery. She opened Sparrow in Midtown Sacramento in the building owned by her very first boss, a local architect. It was then that her career came full circle, when her boss offered Cynthia the opportunity to lease the bottom building of his space, taking the next step toward owning her own business. She took the opportunity and Sparrow Gallery was established in 2014.
In the spring of 2017, Cynthia was asked whether Sparrow would want to move into the ARTHOUSE, a building within the historic R Street corridor in Downtown Sacramento. She accepted and relocated the gallery. The space itself has a lot of art history, including a gallery with a foundry in the back dating to more than 20 years ago. The space was 2.5 times the size of the previous location, and a bonus was that the location is part of a huge revitalization and rehabilitation of Downtown Sacramento surrounded by small businesses.
Jaya King, AWA Associate Member previously featured on the AWA blog, is one of the artists represented by Sparrow Gallery who has an upcoming solo show in February 2021. Additional AWA members represented and exhibiting in 2021 include Kathrine Lemke Waste, AWA Heritage Circle & Master-Signature Member and former AWA Board President, exhibiting in October and Sandy Delehanty, AWA Board & Signature Member, exhibiting in November.
Sparrow’s virtual exhibition on the website
For those that would like to see Sparrow’s exhibits in person, due to the pandemic there have been some modifications, although the gallery has always allowed fewer than 20% capacity so guests can leisurely look at the art. There has always been an online presence, and Cynthia can set appointments to view the art if guests do not want to just drop in. The website features virtual exhibits, which are really fantastic, with the ability to zoom in on artwork and “walk” through the gallery floor. Cynthia and team also post to Instagram and host Instagram Live features in which they walk around the gallery showing artwork in real time.
Follow Sparrow Gallery online:
Website: sparrowgallery.com
Facebook: @sparrow.sacramento
Instagram: @sparrow_gallery
