Local artist Carla J. Lawson discusses Crowned, her first museum exhibition at the Vacaville Museum. The show explores traditional African hairstyles as symbols of heritage, identity, and survival, using sculpture, painting, and mixed media.

Carla shares the historical meaning behind the braids and forms featured in the exhibit, her process of creating companion sculpture and painting pieces, and how Northern California’s cultural diversity shaped her artistic path. The conversation also touches on her journey as a self-taught artist and why Crowned is meant to be both visually striking and historically grounded.

Crowned runs February 5- March 7, 2026

Santa catches up with Destination Vacaville to chat about all the holiday merriment coming to town. Stay in the know—and don’t miss a thing this season. Santa’s watching!

In episode four of our five-part series spotlighting the chefs behind Visit Vacaville’s Farm to Table Dinner 2025, host Alyssa Pardini sits down with Chef Matt Andrews—owner and operator of Frosty’s, and a culinary talent whose heart is as big as his flavors.

Hailing from the small Northern California town of Dixon, Matt’s love for food was sparked in his grandmother’s kitchen, where simple, honest flavors first captured his imagination. A graduate of the California Culinary Academy, he honed his craft under renowned chefs including Wolfgang Puck and Kerry Simon, blending comfort food with the fresh creativity of California cuisine.

Family. Flavor. Passion.

In episode three of our five-part series spotlighting the chefs behind Visit Vacaville’s Farm to Table Dinner 2025, host Alyssa Pardini sits down with Chef Kyle Young—a culinary talent known for blending classic techniques with modern creativity.

With experience across fine dining and boutique kitchens, Chef Kyle brings a bold yet thoughtful approach to local, seasonal ingredients. Passionate about sustainability and community, he’s as dedicated to mentoring young chefs as he is to crafting unforgettable dishes.

Fresh ideas. Local flavors. Big impact.

In the second episode of our five-part series spotlighting the chefs behind Visit Vacaville’s Farm to Table Dinner 2025, host Alyssa Pardini sits down with Chef Tim Saenz of Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company. With roots in San Diego’s top kitchens—including The Addison, Jeune et Jolie, and The Marine Room—Chef Tim brings serious culinary chops and a deep love for fresh seafood and local ingredients. 

Destination Vacaville? Let’s go! 

In the first episode of our five-part series featuring the chefs from Visit Vacaville’s Farm to Table Dinner 2025, host Alyssa Pardini sits down with Chef Megan Smith of Ironwood American Bistro. Megan shares the inspiration behind her vibrant salad course, made with local produce, foraged fennel pollen, and garden-fresh chive blossoms. She also talks about her culinary journey and how she now focuses on teaching approachable, nutrition-focused cooking classes. 

Destination Vacaville? Let's go! 

A quick preview of our upcoming series featuring the talented chefs behind Vacaville’s 2025 Farm to Table Dinner. 

In this episode of Destination Vacaville, host Alyssa Pardini sits down with sculptor Martin Taylor to discuss his incredible journey into creating metal origami sculptures. Martin shares how his passion for industrial design evolved into an art career, starting with inflatable art pieces at Burning Man and leading to his latest work, "Touch the Sky." This beautiful sculpture now graces downtown Vacaville, where it resides on the scenic School Street Bridge. Tune in to hear the fascinating story behind "Touch the Sky" and how Martin's creative process brings his imagination into reality.

Destination Vacaville? Let's go! 

In this episode, Visit Vacaville sits down with San Francisco-based artist Wendy Ackrell to discuss her stunning sculpture, the Labyrinthine Heart—a powerful tribute to compassion, community, and the unifying force of art. 

In this festive episode, we dive into Vacaville Fiesta Days, the city's biggest celebration of the year! Join us as we sit down with a special guest Karen Julif to uncover what visitors can expect—from delicious local eats and vibrant street food to live music, classic car shows, carnival rides, and community parades. Whether you're a longtime local or first-time visitor, you'll get the inside scoop on can't-miss attractions, family-friendly entertainment, and hidden gems throughout the weekend. Tune in for a lively preview of the sights, sounds, and flavors that make Fiesta Days a Vacaville tradition!