By Bonny Zanardi

Can it be November already? The Peninsula is bustling with a variety of exhibits and activities.

Dead ahead

The San Mateo County History Museum is holding a celebration of Mexican traditions during its Free First Fridays program on November 3. Admission is free all day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an activity for preschool children at 11 a.m. at which they will create papel picado (paper art), followed by a special program in its Immigrant Experience exhibit gallery where youngers will hear the story “Clatter Bash! A Day of the Dead Celebration.” Adults can enjoy a tour of the museum led by docents at 2 p.m.

The museum is at 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. Call 650-299-0104 or visit www.historysmc.org.

Holiday Show

Also in Redwood City, Art on the Square will hosts its second annual Holiday Show in the San Mateo County History Museum. More than 25 artists will display their work under the beautiful stained glass dome. Among them are photographer Beth Mostovoy, who is also producer of the event, fiber artist Jodi Paley and illustrator Cha Diaz.

You’ll also find artists creating jewelry, paintings, ceramic works and more. Live music will be provided by guitarist Greg Newlon. The event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 18 at 2200 Broadway. Visit www.historysmc.org/holiday-show.

On the Coast

Artists of the Sanchez Art Center will be holding Open Studios from 1 to 5 p.m. November 5. More than 15 studio artists will show visitors their studios. There also will be a series of demonstrations during the event.

The center is at 1220-B Linda Mar Boulevard, Pacifica. Visit www.SanchezArtCenter.org.

Alchemy

The Studio Shop presents works by Mirang Wonne in the show Alchemy, which opens November 2 and will continue through November 19. An opening night reception will be held beginning at 6 p.m., with an artist talk at 6:30 p.m.

Works in the show involve Wonne’s showcasing of natural forms in primarily industrial materials.

She has shown her works at SFMOMA and the Triton Museum locally, at Parc Floral de Vincennes in Paris and at Gallery Sun Contemporary in Seoul.

The Studio Shop is at 248 Primrose Road, Burlingame. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Call 650-344-1378 or visit www.thestudioshop.com.

Tradition/Innovation

The Caldwell Gallery exhibit Where Tradition Meets Innovation opens November 3 and will continue through January 4. The exhibit features award-winning quilts from the Creative Home Arts Department of the San Mateo County Fair.

The Creative Home Arts coordinator Julie Curry has drawn a collection of award-winning quilts from the fair’s contests, including a wide range of styles and applications.

The Caldwell Gallery is on the main floor at 400 County Center in Redwood City. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

In the center’s lower level is the Community Gallery, which is showing Tropical Breeze, a collection of acrylic paintings by PaulaClaudine Hobson-Coard, through January 5. The artist enjoys painting landscapes, seascapes and places in the Caribbean, where she grew up.

The adjacent Rotunda Gallery, at 555 County Center, is showing works by Marina Smelik, a College of San Mateo sculpture student, through December 28. Shows are curated by Boris Koodrin. Call 650-296-0622 or e-mail boriskoodrin@gmail.com.

Filoli holiday show

Holidays at Filoli opens November 18 and will run through December 23. This year the event features a story of the traditions of Filoli from 1917 to 1975, including dazzling décor in every room. The gardens will be open, as well, with special lighting during evening hours.

The event begins with a special evening Opening Reception on November 18, with entertainment, sparkling wine or other festive beverage, hors d’oeuvres and sweet treats, and an opportunity to enjoy the mansion bursting with holiday charm. The special evening will conclude with dancing in the ballroom. The fee is $160 for Filoli members or $185 for non-members.

For the run of the event, shopping begins at the Marketplace, located in a large tent outside the ClockTower Shop, where a number of vendors will offer a variety of one-of-a-kind gifts. Also for sale will be many Filoli-made products, including a variety of jams and seasonings.

Filoli is located at 86 Cañada Road, Woodside. Visit the website at www.filoli.org to check out the days, hours and costs for tickets. The ticket office may be reached at 650-364-8300, extension 508.

Enjoy the bounty of activities this fall!