SANTA ROSA, CA.- The Museum of Sonoma County announced its landmark exhibition Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Running Fence at 50 Years. From June 27 through November 8, 2026 we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the monumental temporary art installation that stretched 24.5 miles through 59 properties in Sonoma and Marin Counties to the Pacific Ocean. Originally completed in September 1976, Running Fence remains a world-famous milestone in contemporary art, and a defining moment in North Bay history.

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Christo and Jeanne-Claude: In/Out Studio

By Matthias Koddenberg

A richly illustrated look at Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s studio practice, monumental projects, creative process, and visionary environmental works.

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"The Running Fence was like a ribbon of light in the landscape," explained Christo in 1977. "I don't think any museum exhibition has touched so profoundly hundreds of thousands of people who visited Running Fence, in a way that half a million people in Sonoma and Marin Counties were engaged with the making of the work of art for three and a half years,” also detailed the artist.

“The Fence stands out as one of the good things. No harm done. No animals got tied up in the ropes. Nobody died,” says Sonoma County Press Democrat reporter Gaye LeBaron. “It's a happy story and they don’t come along everyday.”

“We are thrilled to share this remarkable story of perseverance and beauty with a new generation,” says Karen Wise, Executive Director of the Museum of Sonoma County.

Monumental and Collaborative

The Running Fence exhibition invites visitors to rediscover the four-year undertaking required to bring the 18-foot-high white fabric fence to life — a massive and almost miraculous community-galvanizing event. Christo and Jeanne-Claude overcame so many obstacles that the success of the project was often in doubt. “Christo and Jeanne-Claude's audacious definition of what art could be and who could help create it was key to the Fence,” says Jennifer Bethke, Museum of Sonoma County’s Curator of Art. “They considered the entire process part of their art — the public hearings, the government permits, and the thousands of people who participated (either willingly or not). I love this about their projects.”





Local Ranchers

59 different property owners granted permission for the Fence to cross their land. Many of those ranchers were initially skeptical of the endeavor, but eventually became some of the project's most ardent supporters. "With the Running Fence I would never be able to do that project if the ranchers were not backing emotionally and actively the project, at least at the public hearings. I would never win the public hearings if the ranchers were not coming to fight for the project,” recalled Christo in 1977.

Workers and Students

After two years of public hearings, and beginning in April 1976, the initial technical installation began with a local workforce. Ultimately there were about 400 paid workers and students who rose before dawn every day to stretch 240,000 square yards of heavy, woven fabric across the landscape using 2,050 steel poles.

Government Agencies

Running Fence required 18 public hearings and the first-ever environmental impact report for a work of art. Significantly, the State Coastal Commission said ‘no’ to the Fence running into the ocean after the local counties said ‘yes.’ When the Coastal Commission refused them a final permit to run their Fence into the sea, in defiance of the commission, Christo and Jeanne-Claude continued with the plan, at various points even hiding in bushes, out of sight of coastal authorities.

Cultural Impact

The local legacy of the Running Fence is its profound impact on Sonoma County, shifting it from a traditional agricultural community into a recognized hub for art.

Exhibition Highlights

Through immersive design and powerful visuals, the Museum — which holds a large and important collection of Christo and Jeanne-Claude artworks, and materials related to Running Fence — will showcase:

• Original artworks from Christo on loan from the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Foundation.

• Items from the Museum of Sonoma County's permanent collection, including original Running Fence construction materials.