Dennis Ariza Photography

About Dennis

My interest in photography began in a biology class in 1968 when his instructor showed him how to photograph slides through a microscope. My career as a photographer began with a wide variety of interests such as wedding photography, family and graduation portraiture, and anything that was outdoors. I am a three-time graduate of the New York Institute of Photography and have studied digital photography at Solano Community College.

As time passed, I developed a passion for photographing wildlife and landscapes. I now organize photo adventures to unusual locations to introduce friends and family to the extraordinary beauty of the world around us.
In 2005 I took over The Corner Store Gallery and recruited artists from the area. It became a well-known Fine Art Gallery and Gift Shop. In 2013 the gallery closed due to the loss of the lease and the expansion of the building owner’s business.

In 2013 I joined the Fairfield-Suisun City Visual Arts Association. In 2015 when the Solano Town Center Gallery opened, I became a board member. Two years I became the president of the association. Since the opening of the STCG we have continued to grow with the addition of the Village 360 and the Collective GV Galleries.

This year I decided that it was time to open my own gallery and bring art back to downtown Fairfield. Fairfield Arts opened August 9 offering Fine Art and studio rentals. The gallery features 7 artists and has offered several events to attract people downtown. Our next event will be October 25 with the first ‘Fall Into ARTumn’ and hope to soon start monthly Art Walks.

I am a member of the Vacaville Art League, American Canyon Art Foundation, Viewpoint Gallery, Pence Gallery, Arts Benicia, HQ Gallery, President of the Fairfield Suisun City Visual Arts Association, Director of the Village 360 Gallery and the Solano Town Center Gallery and leader of Wildlife & Landscape Photography Meetup Group with over 1100 members.

One of my favorite locations to visit and photograph is the ghost town Bodie. I have visited the town over 20 times and documented most of the buildings. My photographs led to the publishing of my first book, “Bodie, A Ghost Town” in 2021 and in 2022 I published my second book, Photographing California.

During the past 20 years, I have won numerous awards at the Dixon May Fair, Yolo County Fair, Solano County Fair. He has also won awards in Juried Art Shows at the Vacaville Art League, the American Canyon Juried Art Show, Sacramento Art Center, Lodi Art Center, and the Fairfield-Suisun City Visual Arts Associations Nor-Cal regional Juried Art Show. These awards included many 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention along with Best of Show and People’s Choice.

Dennis has displayed his award-winning work at the following galleries:
Fairfield Arts, 710 Jackson Street, Fairfield, CA 94533
Vacaville Art Gallery, 718 E. Monte Vista Ave.,Vacaville, CA 95688
Arc Gallery, Fulson Street, San Francisco, CA
Solano Town Center Gallery, Solano Town Center, Fairfield, CA 94533
Arts Benicia, 129E 1st Street, Benicia, CA 94510
Viewpoint Gallery, J Street, Sacramento, CA
Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis, CA
The Little Art Shop, 1st Street, Benicia, CA
Yolo Arts, Woodland, CA
Gallery 1855, Davis, CA
The Artist Collaborative, K Street, Old Sacramento
Lodi Art Center, Lodi, CA
Elk Grove Art Center, Elk Grove, CA
American Canyon Welcome Center, American Canyon, CA
Lawler House Gallery, Main Street, Suisun City, CA 94585
Village 360 Gallery, 4949 Suisun Valley Road, Fairfield, CA 94534
HQ Gallery, 3330 1st Street, Benicia
Ten Moir Gallery, St. Lois, Missouri
Gearbox Gallery, Oakland, CA
Firehouse Art Center, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton, CA
Danville Art Center, 233 Front Street, Danville, CA
Website: www.dennisarizaphotography.com
Facebook: Dennis Ariza
Instagram: dariza1