Closing out a successful year and ringing in 2026, the 1078 Gallery goes into the new year with new ideas and its first-ever “New Year's Eve Wing Ding.”
The celebration will be a dance party with DJ sets by local DJs Push Button Bobby and Vik Whistle, along with visual artistry and performances by several local artists.
“It's just been a year full of community shows and just a lot of great energy and a lot of wonderful experiences in the gallery,” board member Erin Lizardo said.
The gallery has undergone many changes over the years, but Lizardo said the community remains its most important component.
She noted that the nonprofit space — which was founded in 1981 — is committed to providing space for experimental and contemporary art.
"We’re a space, and we want to support people’s creative, artistic ideas, that’s where 1078 is at right now.”- Erin Lizardo, 1078 Gallery Board Member
“It can't be defined by like these four walls …” Lizardo said. “It's this entity that has supported artists for 45 years, and that's what's going on at the 1078 Gallery, that's the spirit and the legacy that continues.”
The gallery hosted 10 exhibitions in 2025, half of which welcomed submissions from the local community, aligning well with the gallery’s core mission to maintain an accessible environment and provide a venue for artists to convene.
Lizardo highlighted the 2nd Annual Northern California Mock Cat Show as one of their most successful shows that is easily becoming a fan favorite.
“That brought together hobby artists and amateur artists and professional artists, within the very cool world of cats,” Lizardo said. “It was just a beautiful display of this joyful idea of cat lovers.”
Looking ahead to 2026, the gallery's goal is to continue cultivating and creating space for the public’s interests and needs.
Some of those offerings include hosting a Sign Club for people who use American Sign Language, along with a poetry speakeasy and all-ages music shows.
They’re also preparing to launch a women-focused jam night called “She Here.” The event is designed to support anyone interested in collaborating with other musicians but unsure where to begin. The first one is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 21.
“I think community programming, community outreach, and just again, providing that space for whatever the community can dream up, and whatever the community needs are, we're here for that,” Lizardo said.
She says if you can dream it, then pitch it to the gallery because they’re always open to new ideas.
“We're a space, and we want to support people's creative, artistic ideas, that's where 1078 is at right now,” Lizardo said.
That openness to new ideas also shapes how the gallery is closing out the year — by looking ahead.
“I love the new year because you get a chance, a moment to reinvent yourself and to think about the exciting things coming up in your life, and how you want to go about achieving those,” Lizardo said.
Other New Year’s Eve Parties in Chico
New Year’s Eve Celebration at MONCA
900 Esplanade, Chico
6-10 p.m., Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve Party at Mulberry Music Station
175 E. 20th St., Chico
7-11:55 p.m., Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve Dance Fundraiser for Butte Environmental Council at the Chico Women’s Club
592 E 3rd St, Chico
9 p.m., Dec. 31
Blü Egyptian NYE Disco Game Show at Chico Fab Lab
603 Orange Street, Chico
9 p.m., Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve 2026: Leather & Lace at Lost on Main
319 Main St., Chico
7:30 p.m., Dec. 31
NYE Funktion at Duffy's
337 Main St, Chico
8 p.m., Dec. 31
