Don Hershman

Color and Serenity

May 3 – June 21, 2025

Closing reception on Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 1:00 – 3:00 P.M. at the Firehouse Arts Center lobby

The Firehouse Arts Center is excited to present the solo exhibition of Don Hershman, Color and Serenity. Featuring 16 of the artist’s works, Hershman explores how a minimal use of color can become a conduit for emotional connection and quiet reflection. Through the intentional use of monochromatic imagery, specifically still life paintings, Hershman crafts an immersive experience that invites viewers into a space of serene contemplation.

Stripping away distractions, the artist’s offering of a distilled chromatic presence challenges contemporary perceptions and evokes a personal response. In an era of relentless stimuli, Hershman’s approach encourages a return to simplicity where a single color can dictate mood, movement, and meaning.

The artist has released the following statement for their exhibition:

“In Color and Serenity, I explore the power of monochromatic imagery as a source of composure. By harnessing the meditative qualities of a single dominant color, I challenge perception and evoke emotional resonance, inviting viewers into a space of profound stillness.

In a world saturated with visual noise, this body of work seeks to distill the essence of color and its profound impact on our mental and emotional state. By immersing the viewer in a dominant chromatic experience, I provide a space for quiet contemplation and deep connection.”

Painter Don Hershman balances dual careers as an accomplished podiatric surgeon and artist, driven by a deep need for creative expression. He finds the same sense of flow in painting as in surgery, transforming subjects into vibrant, reimagined spaces infused with passion and humor.

Hershman’s work has been collected nationally and internationally. His paintings have been jury-selected for the de Young Open (2020, 2023) and exhibited in solo shows, including Donald and Victor: Under the Influence (2021) and Code Switching (2023) at Salomon Arts Gallery in New York. His I AM A BARN series, exploring resilience through aging structures, was exhibited at Radian Gallery in San Francisco and featured in SF Arts Magazine (2024).

In 2025, Hershman’s work was on view at 45 Fremont in San Francisco and will be featured at Sea Ranch Lodge (Sonoma County), with solo exhibitions at Firehouse Arts Center (Pleasanton, CA), Tony Wessling Contemporary (San Francisco), MAG Galleries (San Francisco), and Artifact Gallery (New York) later this year.

Artist Website