When you step into the Sophia Grace Gallery in Ferndale, you’ll feel an immediate sense of curiosity intertwined with fascination. The owner, Dr. Sophia Kidd, greets her guests with a warm welcome, and her passion for art is truly magical—she has always known that she wanted to make her career involve art.
When I visited the gallery in June, the exhibit was “Maps of No Return,” featuring the work of the artist He Gong. He Gong moved from Chengdu, China to Los Angeles at age 31, and the art in this exhibit expresses his complex feelings about his life in China, his life in the United States, and the contrasts between the two. Sophia explained to me her own interpretations of the culturally rich paintings that hung on each wall. While each piece is unique, they all carry the same underlying message:
“Creating art for places you’ll never return to, and feeling as if you don’t belong in one culture, thus the name, ‘Maps of No Return.’” says Sophia. According to her, He Gong wanted people to “feel multidimensional when viewing his work.”
Blue Pool, He Gong | Photograph courtesy of Dr. Sophia Kidd
As the tour wrapped up, Sophia discussed her future plans for the gallery. She’s excited to continue creating a friendly space where people can engage with the community, collect art, and learn about the ways art can teach you about yourself and the world around you. For more information about the gallery, Dr. Sophia Kidd, and upcoming exhibitions, please visit the gallery website.
2026 Main St., Ste. B., Ferndale, 360.988.3645, sophiagracegallery.com
