It was closed on Sunday but looks chock full of art and paintings. Between Fig Gallery…read morehttp://www.yelp.com/biz/fig-tree-gallery-fresno and Gallery 25 http://www.yelp.com/biz/gallery-25-fresno. Metered parking on street.

Very nice gallery/studio, really like Dixie Salazar's work. Available to see during Art Hop on the…read morefirst Thursday of every month. She also sells handmade jewelery and collages along with a ton of art! Definitely check it out!

Sorensen Art Studio sits at the very fringe of Fresno, at the very end of Van Ness, up against the…read morerailroad tracks. Once a large warehouse operation, the building has been cut up into various spaces for artists of all kinds. And just as the building sits on the fringe, some of the art is on the fringe, too. You can find traditional watercolors and mosaics. You can view fabric artists at work. You can see photography of all stripes. And meet the photographers and hear their stories of various photos. For a long while, Sorensens has been opened to the public only on Art Hop First Thursdays, and that's not too bad during the late spring, summer, early fall months, when it's still pretty light out there next to the railroad tracks, on roads that have no stoplights, among many other large, perhaps abandoned buildings. There is just a frisson of danger. But that has changed. Chris Sorensen has turned the building and grounds over to a new manager who is going to have the place open every week, Thursday through Saturday, daylight hours--10 to 3. Meet the artists, experience their workspace, see their art, and best of all, buy a piece of local artwork. Fresno has a great community of artists. Let's support them.

This is the main place to stop during ArtHop. They have the main gallery for the monthly show,…read morepopup artist space and then all the resident artists all throughout the building. There must be over 50 artist "nooks" of all types. Paintings, sculptures, artists, recycled art, jewelry, digital art, and of course Chris' giant welded camel in the center of the gallery! This place is really fun and always has a great spread of snacks during ArtHop. Don't miss it!

I love this lil museum and the volunteers that spend their time answering questions and providing…read moreknowledge about the area and the things in the museum. Worth the stop if you are in the area.

A must visit if you are in the Central Valley. Open on Fridays and Sundays. We call ahead of our…read moretrip there and got a private tour on an non-opening day. We had Mr. Bosserman as our tour guide, he was wonderful and got an answer for everything. Check out the Fresno County Fruit trail if you have the time.

If y'all didn't know I love books and bookshops yet... well you simply haven't been paying…read moreattention. I first came across the Book Bus at Tioga-Sequoia, where I bought a cute almost 100 year old paperback. Ana pops up with The Book Bus at big events around town, but is now located inside Let It Grow on Shields Ave. It's a cozy wee space and a book lovers dream. There are some featured books on the main table and a range of genres to suit any taste. Right now it's all used books, mostly around the $5-12 mark so super affordable. They also stock some art and trinkets from local makers. It has a real homespun feel and it's a lovely place to hang out. If you can't make it down to the shop to see new stock regularly, Ana also hosts sales and features what's in store on instagram @thebookbusfresno. Follow along to see what's available.

What a perfect little oasis!! This sweet little bookshop has a great atmosphere and is just filled…read moreto the brim with a well curated selection of books. It resides inside the darling urban mini-jungle that is Let it Grow Fresno plant shop, and the owner, Anna, is a literature connoisseur and all-around lovely person to chat with if you are ever in need of a recommendation. Her shop also features local artists, authors, and makers, which is super neat if you're looking to support your community. Sometimes you just can't beat the feel of a real book in your hand, so if you ever find yourself in need of a new favorite book, or are on the hunt for a physical copy of an old favorite, be sure to stop by the The Book Bus! Also, check out their Instagram page @thebookbusfresno if you'd like a sneak peek of what it's like before your first visit!

I just have to say a huge thank you to Vardui Melik Shakhnazarian! Honestly, she is the BEST…read moreSpectrum specialist I've ever met. I came to her three different times, and every single time she was unbelievably patient, kind, and 100% professional. She literally knows everything - answers every single question with confidence and explains everything step by step so clearly. She helped me open a new account, walked me through the whole process, and even explained things like buying out my phone in detail so I wouldn't be confused. She really took her time to make sure I understood everything, and never once made me feel rushed. It's rare to meet someone who is not only great at their job but also genuinely cares about helping people. Vardui is that person. She's seriously outstanding - the top of the top - and I'm honestly shocked (in the best way) at how good she is at what she does. Spectrum is so lucky to have her!

Only art gallery dedicated to photography in the valley. Not to mention the first…read more features photographers from the valley. Some have been published internationally and have worked with famous photographer like Annie Leibotz. Definitely a gem that is overlooked. A must visit if you live in Fresno and are interested in photography. Friendly people.

Amazing! This place is incredible! It's full of other amazing studios! The art here is amazing!…read moreArthop here is so much fun! This is where I first met my husband so be prepared to meet the love of your life haha!

Another studio full of different artists. Sometimes arthop here is fun, sometimes a bit dull. Seems…read morelike they have a bit of turnover of artists renting space and closed rooms. Some styles are "different" and seem to be in an experimenting stage. The rooms that are open are small and cramped if more than a couple of people are inside, and it seems to be a day when their buddies come to visit so you end up just poking your head in, and if you do walk in, you might not be acknowledged because they are catching up with their friends.

Backyard Social Club is such a fun and spacious spot! There's plenty of room both inside and…read moreoutdoors, with a bar inside and lots of backyard games that make it a great place to hang out with friends. Our bartender was also super attentive, which made the experience even better. For my drink, I got one of their creations called the Creamsicle, which was really good! I also tried the pickle pizza, and although my photo definitely doesn't do it justice, the pizza was delicious. It had a nice crisp to it, a great cheese pull, and a savory flavor that worked surprisingly well with the pickles. Overall, I really enjoyed the atmosphere, drinks, food and service. It's a great casual spot to grab a drink, play some games and hang out!

Exactly as this place is named, a nice social backyard atmosphere to eat, drink, and relax with…read moreloved ones. Super spacious with plenty of tables, outdoor games, or board games to keep you and your company entertained. Everyone here is super friendly from the staff, to the guests, and even their backyard mascot TURKEY! (cat) They have plenty of beer on tap, with some you can request to make beer float. Don't skip out on the pizza here, it's worth it! I got a chance to try their special dill pickle pizza and it was phenomenal. Flat bread with dill pickle and a type of goat cheese. Crispy, chewy, and full of flavor.

I've been dabbling in ceramics on and off (mostly off) for close to 20 years, so it felt amazing…read moregetting my hands back into some clay. I hosted an event with Scarab Creative Arts last year, which is where I met Hannah, of Rose ceramics. She's teaches pottery classes here and she's also an amazing artist herself. I signed up for the six-week intermediate classes from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. The cost is $275 and includes everything; clay, supplies, and all firings. All you need to bring is an apron and an open mind. The class style here is free from; just get your clay and go. Hannah walks around and checks in on your progress and helps with anything you need. If you've never sat in front of pottery wheel, I highly recommend taking the beginner class for more of teacher/student model set up. There are other classes offered here beyond pottery like painting, stained glass artistry, and even a few classes for kids. They do host events from time to time in their gallery and have a gift shop where you can try to sell your pieces. I'm excited to see what the future has in store for me when it comes to my pottery. I might just end up becoming a member here!

Artsy and inviting. Prices are reasonable too. There are things I wouldn't find any other place in…read moretown