See the 'Running Fence' 50th Anniversary Exhibition in Santa Rosa at the Museum of Sonoma County
This summer and fall, Santa Rosa becomes a gateway to one of the most ambitious and celebrated environmental artworks of the 20th century. The Museum of Sonoma County will present “Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Running Fence at 50 Years,” on view June 27 through November 8, 2026, honoring the anniversary of the iconic installation that once transformed the landscape of Northern California. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, history buff, or curious traveler, this exhibition offers a meaningful connection to a defining moment in California’s cultural landscape--one best experienced where it all unfolded.
In 1976, artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude realized their visionary project, Running Fence--a monumental temporary installation that stretched 24.5 miles across Sonoma and Marin Counties. Composed of shimmering white fabric that rose and fell across rolling hills before disappearing into the Pacific Ocean, the work was both fleeting and unforgettable. It drew global attention and remains a defining moment in the cultural and artistic history of the North Bay.
The upcoming exhibition invites visitors to revisit that extraordinary achievement through immersive storytelling, archival materials, striking visuals, and firsthand accounts from those who witnessed or helped bring the project to life. More than an art exhibit, it traces the four-year journey of planning, collaboration, engineering, and community engagement that made Running Fence possible.
For visitors, this is a rare opportunity to experience a story rooted deeply in Sonoma County’s landscape and creative legacy. It offers a chance to see how art can temporarily reshape the way we view the natural world--and how a regional project became an internationally recognized cultural milestone.
Located in the heart of Santa Rosa, the exhibition also provides a compelling reason to plan a broader visit. From wine country experiences and local dining to outdoor recreation and downtown exploration, the city serves as the perfect home base for discovering the story behind Running Fence and the beauty of Sonoma County itself.
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