The Art of Thinking Big: When the Ceiling Becomes the Gallery
One of the best things about Hall of the Above is its scale — there is so much possibility in the space, with its neutral walls and soaring ceilings. So of course, we have HAD to create some oversized art installations for the building in service of various celebrations over the last couple of years, and we thought we’d share a roundup of a few of our favorites.
holiday stellations
These are the hanging artworks that started it all.
When Hall of the Above had first signed the lease and work was just starting on the building, the windows still sat empty when the holidays rolled around, and the Chamber of Commerce asked if there was anything festive we could put up.
Daniel Castor stepped up with his giant hanging geometric "Stellations of the Icosahedron” (and one “Great Stellated Dodecahedron”). They graced the windows of Hall of the Above for around a year before they sadly had to come down (read more here).
Cruisin' the Boulevard: A Home Base for Petaluma's Biggest Car Weekend
Every May, downtown Petaluma fills with the unmistakable rumble of vintage engines during Cruisin' the Boulevard's Salute to American Graffiti. Thousands of visitors come to admire beautifully restored classic cars, celebrate Petaluma's connection to the iconic film, and experience one of the city's most beloved traditions.
During the festivities, Hall of the Above opened its doors as a welcoming gathering place. Visitors stepped inside to cool off, enjoy an old-fashioned soda pop, and soak in a different piece of Petaluma history before heading back out to the boulevard. It's exactly the kind of event our building was made for—a place where history and community naturally come together. We couldn’t help ourselves, and built a pair of gigantic fuzzy dice to celebrate.
Later that night, Spike Sikes and His Awesome Hotcakes came and played an incredible show, and everyone was able to dance under the dice.
Throwback Valentine's Prom
Who says prom only happens once?
For one unforgettable Valentine's weekend, we invited everyone back to the dance floor for a Throwback Valentine's Prom. Guests arrived dressed in every decade imaginable—from towering '80s hairstyles and questionable tuxedos to vintage dresses that had been waiting years for another night out.
The evening featured multiple DJs, a packed dance floor, a photo booth, cocktails, artisanal sweets, and plenty of opportunities to relive (or rewrite) high school memories. The event reminded us that some of the best community gatherings happen when nobody takes themselves too seriously.
In an homage to high school decorating committees, we put up a ring of streamers and filled the space with tons of balloons, and added a giant mylar heart as the centerpiece.
Winter solstice votive sphere
Every year Hall of the Above stewards Daniel Castor and Jennifer Jerde host a Winter Solstice gathering, which for the past few years has been graced by a geometric candle installation, and held at Hall of the Above. We spent days installing 162 votive calendars in the shape of a sphere, representing our individual lights coming together in a unified form.
Previous iterations of this celebration were held in Daniel Castor’s studio space, but the votive sphere is most at home somewhere grand, like Hall of the Above.
Every Event Adds Another Story
What makes Hall of the Above special isn't just the architecture or the history—it's the people who continue bringing the building to life.
One weekend it becomes a gathering place for classic car enthusiasts. Another, it's the setting for an over-the-top dance party. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the many gorgeous weddings that have been held here.
We had a wedding showcase event last year where we installed a giant hanging floral installation (created by Healdsburg’s Flower Porch) over the bride and groom table, so for anyone scouting venues, keep in mind that we have winches ready and waiting for a beautiful hanging something (see our behind-the-scenes video below showing the team in the ceiling space raising the arrangement).
These events are just a glimpse of what's possible inside one of downtown Petaluma's most distinctive venues. Whether you're planning a wedding, fundraiser, corporate event, dance, birthday celebration, or community gathering, Hall of the Above is ready to become part of your story.
After all, every great building deserves great memories—and we're just getting started.
