Culture Bucket for September 2026: ArtHop picks, literary arts, workshops and more
Here is the latest edition of The Culture Bucket, a monthly compilation of picks, observations, news nuggets and feedback from readers – all about the local arts scene. Check back during the month for updates.
September Culture Bucket Listings
(Updated September 3, 2026 at 10:13 a.m.)
Heather Parish writes:
As the sun creeps toward the horizon earlier in the day, Fresno offers a bevy of arts options that are fanciful, reflective, and challenging. Early September is also bringing us moderate temperatures which makes the offerings an ideal time to enjoy the creativity of the city with friends and a fine meal. Enjoy!
ARTHOP
Ma Ly and Robert Weibel at Fresno City Hall
Fresno artist Ma Ly presents more than 30 new miniature paintings in “Fresno in Winter,” imagining the city in a fanciful alternate wintry reality, on the first floor of Fresno City Hall. On the second floor, Robert Weibel’s “Was Is Will Be: Works on Paper” features gunpowder and mixed-media works.
An artist and ArtHop reception is set for Thursday, Sept. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m.
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Fig Tree Gallery Fig Tree Gallery Curated Show: “Light/Shadow”
For the first time, Fig Tree Gallery is presenting a juried exhibition, with “Light/Shadow” bringing 42 works by 29 artists to the gallery. The exhibit was selected through a blind jury process from 165 submissions received through an international artist platform. The resulting show represents a wide range of experience, from university art faculty and established exhibitors to artists making their exhibition debuts. Works include paintings, mixed media, cyanotypes, photographs, prints and digital art.
The ArtHop reception is Thursday, Sept. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m., and the Saturday reception will be Sept. 5 from 1 to 3 p.m. The exhibition runs Sept. 3-26.
EXHIBITION
“Guerrilla Girls: The Art of Behaving Badly” Exhibition and Reception at Fresno State
The Guerrilla Girls are anonymous artist activists who use disruptive headlines, outrageous visuals and killer statistics to expose gender and ethnic bias and corruption in art, film, politics and pop culture. The group is known for wearing gorilla masks in public to hide their identity during their performance activism. The exhibition runs Aug. 24-Oct. 9, and the Guerrilla Girls themselves will give a talk at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 10 at the Resnick Student Union with a reception to follow from from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Phebe Conley Gallery at Fresno State. Free admission. A parking pass is required. More information is available through Fresno State Today.
ORGAN CONCERT
“Best of Broadway … The Greatest Music of the American Stage”
House organist Cactus Sam Harris will headline a Sept. 13 performance at Warnors Center for the Performing Arts, joined by guest vocalists, in “Best of Broadway.” Doors open at 2:30 p.m., with the show beginning at 3 p.m. Admission is by donation, with $20 suggested; proceeds directly support the Warnors Center nonprofit arts organization. Free parking and concessions are available.
LITERARY ARTS
2026 Fresno Poets’ Association reading series
Fresno State MFA Faculty Reading
6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the Fresno State Library (Room 2206), with the annual group reading by the Fresno State English Department’s creative writing faculty. Readers will include Venita Blackburn, author of the novel “Dead in Long Beach, CA”; Steven Church, author of the essay collection “I’m Just Getting To the Disturbing Part”; Ra Jarrar, author of the memoir “Love Is an Ex-Country”; Brynn Saito, author of the poetry collection “Under a Future Sky”; Mai Der Vang, author of the poetry collection “Primordial”; and Brenna Womer, author of the hybrid collection “Unbrained.” Admission is free; a parking pass is required. Details are on the events calendar or via Fresno State Today.
WORKSHOPS
At the Shinzen Friendship Garden in Woodward Park
Proceeds from these workshops support the ongoing care and cultural programming of Shinzen Garden.
Seasons of the Page: Nonfiction Writing
Sept. 19, 10 a.m. to noon
Shinzen Friendship Garden, 114 W. Audubon Drive, Fresno.
The Garden offers a writing session where the rhythms of nature spark reflection and creativity with the written word. Inspired by the changing seasons and quiet beauty of the garden, this workshop will guide writers through techniques used in memoir, personal essays and reflective storytelling. Writers of all experience levels are welcome. Space is limited and advance registration is required.
Sept. 26, 10 a.m. to noon
Shinzen Friendship Garden, 114 W. Audubon Drive, Fresno.
Noelle Correia instructs this botanical watercolor class inspired by the koi of Shinzen Garden. Participants will learn watercolor techniques while capturing the movement, colors and beauty of koi swimming among lotus and reflections. This class is welcoming to all skill levels and offers a peaceful, hands-on creative experience set within the garden’s serene surroundings. You’ll leave with a finished painting and a moment of calm you can carry with you long after the class ends. Pre-registration is required.
Banner image at top: miniature painting by Ma Ly.
Kathy
Looks like you inadvertently omitted the date of the organ concert September 13th but I was able to locate it on the Internet.
Heather Parish
Thank you! I’ve updated the listing. 👍
Ken Robison
Greetings, Heather. This is Ken Robison from the Poetry Lab gang. The “big event” of the Guerrilla Girls exhibit is the talk by the Guerilla Girls at the Resnick Student Union at 4 p.m. on the 10th. Thanks for mentioning this touring exhibit. It’s a pretty big deal in the art world.
Heather Parish
Thanks so much for clarifying that the talk features the activists. That info hadn’t been absorbed from what I had read about it! I’ve updated the listing. Tootle pip!