Culture and community take center stage as county-wide, month long arts festival highlights downtowns, public space and local issues
Napa, CA--The seventh annual Napa Valley Arts in April will showcase over 40 arts and culture events across the Napa County from American Canyon to Calistoga and in between. In addition to the independently-produced events that dot the idyllic valley at wineries, museums and galleries, the county will host five central city events that celebrate each town’s unique scene including Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, Napa and American Canyon. Napa Valley Arts in April is a production of Arts Council Napa Valley with major support from Visit Napa Valley and the County of Napa.
The vision for Arts in April is to foster the unique, identifiable sense of place through locally produced and presented cultural programs companioned by Napa Valley’s wine and culinary offerings. Each April is a month to highlight creative talent, inspire and engage locals, and enrich the visitor’s experience of authentic Napa County culture.
Arts in April officially kicks off on March 31, 2017 with the Friday night gala for the third annual ENGAGE Art Fair at Calistoga’s Napa County Fairgrounds, and closes with the April 30 city event, Napa’s first annual FLOW festival, a performing and visual arts activation of the Oxbow Commons and the new Rail Arts District in downtown Napa. Below we share a small taste of what Arts in April has to offer.
City Anchor Events
To highlight the unique cultural attributes of each Napa County community, Arts Council Napa Valley is partnering with artists and local leaders in each city across the county to bring their downtowns to life with a public celebration. From Calistoga’s Storytelling Speakeasy at Tank Garage Winery to the Yountville Art, Sip + Stroll to Napa’s inaugural FLOW bringing pop-up performances and interactive street art in a takeover of the new Oxbow Commons, Napa River Walk and the Rail Arts District, Napa County’s downtown will be alive with music, spoken word, and visual creations. Stay tuned for details on the official Arts in April program page: www.artscouncilnapavalley.org/artsinapril
Anchor Event Descriptions and Details
American Canyon
AmCan By the Bay: Earth Day and the Arts | April 22, 1-4pm
AmCan By The Bay is an Earth Day celebration that will focus on all things green in a beautiful wetlands environment at the Napa River Bay Trail, located at 625 Eucalyptus drive. The event will feature informational booths, food, live entertainment, kids activities, raffles, and fun outdoor recreation. The city will partner with the American Canyon Arts Foundation to highlight Napa Valley Arts in April with Plein Air painting and a special installation and arts activation by bird enthusiast and artist, David Tomb.
For additional details, please visit: cityofamericancanyon.org
Calistoga
SARAFORNIA: The Arts of Calistoga | March 30 - April 2
SARAFORNIA: The Arts of Calistoga is a four day grassroots celebration of Calistoga's bohemian spirit. Begin your cultural deep-dive with FLOWER BOMB, an exhibition featuring floral interpretations of iconic masterworks and local original artworks; continue the adventure with the third annual ENGAGE Art Fair, a unique and interactive showcase of local and Bay Area artists. The weekend will include family-friendly art activities, public artwork throughout town by artists Lisa Kaplan and Karen Lynn Ingalls and the vibrant Storytelling Speakeasy at TANK Garage Winery highlighting the art of storytelling, poetry and live music in the style of popular podcasts This American Life and The Moth. You’re invited to kick back with some Calistoga culture this spring - get out and get boho!
For additional details, please visit: visitcalistoga.com/arts-in-april
Napa
FLOW: Arts at the River | April 30, 11-4
Bringing together music and performing and visual arts, FLOW: Arts at the River will highlight buskers on the Oxbow switchbacks, an official stage presented by Festival Napa Valley and participatory arts activities designed by Napa’s high school students. Walk along McKinstry street for food and beverages and end up in the new RAD to watch Spanish street artist Cinta Vidal as she works on her mural and help sort broken tiles for the Quake Mosaic, a massive public art piece addressing the devastation of the 2014 Napa Earthquake. Be a part of the art with our community sing led by a professional choir instructor, Cindy Skinner. Finally finish the day with renowned Cuban pianist and performer, Aldo Lopez-Gavilan presented by Festival Napa Valley. Come join us for a one day glimpse at the vast creative culture in the City of Napa!
St. Helena
Arts in the Streets | April 15, 12-3
St. Helena's Lyman Park will come alive with arts and culture for the town's celebration of Napa Valley's Arts in April. "Arts in the Streets" is a nod to the beautiful complexity of St. Helena's modern and multicultural identity from generations of winemaking families to our rich Latino community--St. Helena is made great by its cultural diversity. In the spirit of this theme, the park will come alive with community interactive art with Nimbus Arts, poetry from the Napa Valley Writer's Conference, culinary delights from the Napa Valley Cooking School and music from local bands across the valley! Please join us in celebrating each other through the arts.
Yountville | April 22
Art, Sip & Stroll
On Saturday, April 22 from 11AM-5PM we invite you to visit the beautiful Town of Yountville to celebrate the arts! Starting at the Napa Valley Museum where parking is plentiful, pick up your Art, Sip & Stroll wristband, visit the galleries, and enjoy your first tasting stop at the beer garden. Across the street enjoy the Lincoln Theater’s Grand Lobby where Chelsea Ritter-Soronen will be exhibiting her show Creases and begin your wine tasting experience. From there, board the Yountville Trolley to Washington Street where over 40 artists, 10 wineries & tasting rooms and live music await. New this year: Free parking & entry into the Napa Valley Museum, beer garden at the Napa Valley Museum, exhibit and wine at the Lincoln Theater, and a food truck roundup at Van De Leur Park.
Highlighted Independent Events
Arts in April is a time of countywide celebration of the arts. In 2016, over 90 independently produced Arts in April events filled local calendars with special experiences and offerings. Below is a curated list of highlights. All event details can be accessed on our Arts in April page www.artscouncilnapavalley.org/artsinapril
HALL WINES | Every Sunday in April
Wine tasting is woven throughout this unique experience offered by HALL, a modern winery that showcases some of the most eclectic contemporary art in the Valley. Guests are invited to enjoy tastings of news wine releases as they embark on a walking tour around the property showcasing some of the most influential artists working today such as John Baldessari, Jaume Plensa, Jim Campbell, and others. Designed to nurture your soul and ignite your imagination, the Wine and Art Exploration experience is offered Sundays at 11am, and COMPLIMENTARY, 45 min for up to 4 guests as part of Arts in April in Napa Valley. Call 707-967-2626 or visit hallwines.com.
Robert Louis Stevenson Museum | The month of April
This April the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum is partnering with Kendra Kelperis and Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School to present Inspired by Stevenson, a public art installation of original works inspired by the poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson. Throughout the month of April the RLSM will display interpretive works of art crafted by 25 middle school students from Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School. Each piece is an interpretation of one of Stevenson's poems from "A Child's Garden of Verses" and is unique to each student's creativity and imagination. The goal of this project has been to bring the past with the future and combine two different artistic mediums to create one new work of art.
Trait de Genie Art | Exhibition the Month of April | Artist Reception April 29, 6pm
April 1st – April 29th, 2017 Eleven Eleven Winery, in partnership with Arts in April, Trait de Genie Art, Art of Luck, the Ferrari Club of America and Ethnic Notions Fine Art Gallery will host “Voices of the Heart” featuring the aesthetic blending of fine art by Jermaine Dante Burse and Grant James. Their artist reception will be on Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 6:00pm. – 10:00pm also hosted at Eleven Eleven Winery. Additionally, the Ferrari Club of America will display a dazzling array of exotic cars. Appetizers & Wine Pairing will be offered for your enhanced enjoyment.
St. Supéry | April 1, 11am
St. Supéry Estate Vineyards and Winery presents The Art of Cheese. This month long exhibit features artwork from renowned cheese artist, Mike Geno along with a selection of cheeses from top Bay Area creameries paired with St. Supéry’s 100% Estate Grown, sustainably farmed wines. Join us for our weekend Cheese Workshops throughout the month of April where you will learn everything from how to make cheese to how to paint cheese as well as the art of designing the perfect cheese board.
Nancy Willis | April 1
Bunny Hop Printmaking Workshop with Nancy Willis. Get a jump on spring with this relief printmaking workshop and create beautiful artist prints and a printed canvas bag. No experience necessary! Carve, ink & print! Take 1 or 2 sessions. Pastries and Prints 9:30 to 12:30 and Pinot and Prints 1:30 to 4:30. $75 per session includes all materials and nourishment. Event takes place in Willis's Napa art studio.
ÆRENA Galleries & Gardens | April 2
ÆRENA Galleries & Gardens will be featuring the popular metal leaf embellished paintings by Kate Salenfriend at all five gallery locations throughout Arts in April. Additional events include an artist attended luncheon paired with Blackbird Vineyards wines and a Morimoto bento box on April 28 from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at RiverHouse. RSVP required. Contact info@aerenagalleries.com. Meet Salenfriend from 10:00 – 11:00am and sculptor Giuseppe Palumbo from 3:00 – 5:00pm at Auberge du Soleil on Sunday April 2nd. Please email ads.events@aubergeresorts.com for additional details and to RSVP. Visit aerenagalleries.com for more information on our artists.
Jessel Gallery | April 7, 5-8pm
Jessel Gallery will celebrate Arts in April with an Artist Reception on Friday April 7th from 5pm to 8pm with refreshments. Over the course of April, visit the gallery to see live painting demonstrations each weekend from local artists Marcia Garcia, Diane Pope, Daniel Mundy, Susan Hoeh , Molly Corbett, Jeanette Monterio, Sharon Crary and Jessel Miller.
Provenance Vineyards | April 7, 5-7pm
Provenance Vineyards is honored to exhibit the work of sculptor Ken Matsumoto this April. Inspired by the incredible natural beauty of Napa Valley and its complex geological origins, Ken produced a special series of sculptures to showcase. Experience these beautiful works at Provenance Vineyards on a special evening hosted by Ken on Friday, April 7th from 5pm - 7pm.
Napa Valley Museum | April 8 , 10am-12pm
Gather at the Museum on Saturday morning for a 1-hour yoga flow in the Main Gallery with our partners YogaNV. Enter a state of mindfulness and relaxed contemplation as we prepare to look at art slowly! We will focus our attention on four designated artworks in the "Embracing Imperfection" exhibition for 5-10 minutes each. After a time of slow looking, we will gather as a group to discuss your experiences and impressions. To find out more about Slow Art Day, visit www.SlowArtDay.com. For more info about our partner nonprofit YogaNV, visit www.YogaNapaValley.org.
Rutherford Ranch Winery | April 9, 10am-4pm
Rutherford Ranch Winery is honored to host an afternoon with local artist Tim Howe. Tim’s works reflect his contemporary interpretation of landscapes, showcasing his unique ability to incorporate the disciplines of both Abstraction and Impressionism. Tim believes there are no boundaries in nature; therefore sometimes the lines are blurred. His artistic impressions lie between the two. Experience his work in action and spend an afternoon with Tim as he paints in our beautiful Abela vineyard setting. Sunday April 9th from 1pm -4pm.
Napa Valley Writer’s Conference | April 15
In honor of National Poetry Month, the Napa Valley Writers' Conference, a project of Napa Valley College, will host an evening of readings and discussion of the role of poetry in our communities. Our featured presenter will be Dana Gioia, the author of five full-length collections of poetry as well as Can Poetry Matter?, which helped to revive the role of poetry in American public culture. As Chairman of the NEA from 2003 to 2009, Gioia strengthened the national consensus in favor of public funding for the arts and arts education. Wine and small bites made by NVC's Napa Valley Cooking School will set the stage for the literary evening. The wine reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the program to follow at 7 p.m., at the Upper Valley Campus of Napa Valley College in St. Helena. Admission is $20 at the door. For further information, visit napawritersconference.org.
Tews Treasures | April 15, 9am-3pm
Tews Treasures presents Rustic to Refined, a celebration of the most eclectic bunch of pickers and makers who present fantastic finds from chippy to classic, whimsical garden art to handmade French signs, and furniture in every style from every era. We’ve raided barns and attics and grandma’s trunks to uncover the magic so you can rediscover, repurpose and reuse. You’ll find thingamajigs and whatchamacallits. There are silver, glass, rare oddities, vintage books from Dickens to Whitman, vinyls and music memorabilia, handmade jewelry and vintage clothing to dress you up. If it’s rusty, we’ll have it. Enjoy live music, local art and food trucks.
Napa Valley Museum | 4/15, 2-4pm
Embrace imperfection and make your own Wabi Sabi inspired teacup set with renowned local ceramicist William Callnan III of NBC Pottery. This workshop is geared toward adults and is limited to 15 participants. Working with clay provided, attendees will learn different styles and techniques of hand-building ceramics. Each person will create a set of four teacups that will be fired and available for pick up at a later date. $50 covers the cost of materials and 2hr instruction.
Napa Valley College | April 21, 7pm
EMERGENCE: Festival of New Work is weekend long showcase celebrating the progressive process of new work. Focused on emerging artists, the festival explores multiple mediums including, but not limited, to theater, dance and music. The eclectic nature of the event will offer a mix of performances designed for various audiences of all ages.
Lucky Penny Theater | April 21 - May 7
The Lucky Penny Theater presents "Maple and Vine", a play by Jordan Harrison. Katha and Ryu have become allergic to their 21st-century lives. After they meet a charismatic man from a community of 1950s re-enactors, they forsake cell phones and sushi for cigarettes and Tupperware parties. In this compulsively authentic world, Katha and Ryu are surprised by what their new neighbors - and they themselves - are willing to sacrifice for happiness. This modern dark comedy explores the other side of the "good old days."
Lincoln Theater | April 22, 11-5pm + 7-9pm
A Celebration of Form is a daylong visual and performing arts showcase done in collaboration with Art, Sip and Stroll, local artist Chelsea Ritter-Soronen, and the internationally acclaimed Diablo Ballet. For Tickets to the Art, Sip & Stroll visit townofyountville.com / For Tickets to Diablo Ballet visit lincolntheater.com All Art, Sip & Stroll patrons will be given an exclusive discount to Diablo Ballet's evening performance.
Robert Louis Stevenson Museum | April 27, 7pm
Join the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum and St. Helena Public Library for an evening of open mic poetry. The evening will highlight several of Robert Louis Stevenson’s poems and offer the opportunity for other poets to perform their works. All are invited to listen, perform, and enjoy poetry from the past and the present. Light refreshment will be provided.
Crusher Wine District | April 29, 4-7pm
Several tasting rooms in the Crusher Wine District will be hosting art from Napa Valley artists throughout the month of April and will also be hosting with an artist reception on Saturday, April 29, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. Artist-winery pairings include: Belinda Leake with E. Gordon and Morey Cellars, Julie Robertson with Spelletich Family Wine Company, Vincent Connors with The Wine Foundry and Crosby Roamann, June Altamara with Y. Rousseau Wines, Mario Chiodo with Chiodo Arts (3pm-6pm) and Architectural Signs and Associates.
Napa Valley Youth Symphony | April 29
The Red Gala is Napa Valley Youth Symphony’s not-to-be-missed annual fundraising event, an evening of friends, food, wine, and world-class music. VIP ticket holders and concert goers will be transported to A Night in Havana with international rising star Aldo López-Gavilán. The Cuban pianist, who stunned audiences at last year’s Festival Napa Valley, will evoke Old Havana with his own brand of classically-trained and Latin-tinged jazz. NVYS will perform George Gershwin’s lively Cuban Overture and will accompany López-Gavilán in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. This event and concert will be must-attend musical event of the Spring.
Art Association and Gallery Napa Valley | April 29
Art Gallery Napa Valley at 1307 First Street will be celebrating The Making of Art during this year's Arts in April! Come see live demos by our artists featuring the unique tools they use working and producing pieces in various mediums including, wood turning, fused glass and beadwork. In a salute to all the various forms of art we will keep our gallery open late on April 29 from 6:00 - 9:00 for Music by The Art Gallery Band! You are invited to bring and instrument and play or sing along! For more information about our exhibiting artists, please visit: http://www.artnv.org
IN the Moment Creative | April 29
Spelletich Family Winery and artist Julie Robertson will be partnering in tandem with nearly 20 other wineries, tasting rooms and artists in the hip Crusher District in South Napa through the month of April to celebrate art and winemaking! The month long exhibit will culminate in a lively artist reception celebration on Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 4:00-7:00pm throughout the district. Julie Robertson takes a graphic point of view, boldly celebrating the sensory nature of our beautiful wine country and the inspired brands that thrive here. Come enjoy a hands-on tasting experience with the Spelletich family and dog Mollie surrounded by colorful wine country imagery!
American Canyon Arts Foundation | April 22
We are celebrating our 25th annual Art Extravaganza, a juried art show, a part of the Napa Valley Arts in April program. From April 21-30, enjoy the fine art of Bay Area Artists, as well as the exquisite wines of Jamieson Ranch Vineyards. The event will be held at Jamieson Ranch Vineyards; the Artist Reception is Saturday, April 22, from 5:00-7:30pm. For more information, go to our website: www.amcanart.org
Etude Wines | April 30, 11am
Celebrate Arts in April at Etude Wines with a showing of four local Napa artists curated by our very own local artist and employee, Jeanne Dillon. Throughout her 10+ years at Etude, Jeanne has captured many special Etude moments in her paintings inspired by the grounds, the people, and the wines. Jeanne has selected a group of her favorite artists to showcase their talent alongside her own work. Visitors will have the chance to interact with these gifted and diverse artists while sipping Etude's award-winning Pinot Noirs and Cabernets.
For a full list of events, please visit: www.artscouncilnapavalley.org/artsinapril
