Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival

Celebrate with your community the magic of fall and
discover unique works of art in the redwood grove of Old Mill Park!


The 56th Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival on Sept. 15 and 16 will showcase over 140 fine artists and offer live musical entertainment children’s activities and great eats. The juried works include prints, jewelry, paintings, woodwork, photography and sculpture. The festival, held in the Redwood grove of Old Mill Park in down town Mill Valley, is rated one of the top 10 fine arts and crafts shows in the Northwest.

Artists are coming to Mill Valley from all over the country – festival goers will meet artists from Santa Fe to New Orleans.  On display will be Art for your home, Art for your garden and Art for your body. Looking to dress up your home? Visit Peter Zajda of Santa Cruz CA who will bring his beautiful stained glass or check out first time exhibitors Scott and Ann Lundquist of Emmett Idaho who will be showing their coffee tables and cupboards designed using vintage ceiling tin plus reclaimed and salvaged architectural items.  Find some art for your garden.  Leslie Codina of Onterio CA creates tall whimsical garden sculpture and Steve Davis of Eugene OR builds beautiful copper fountains.

There will be a wonderful selection of Art for your body from over 15 artist selling wearable art, hats, leather goods and shoes.  Newcomer Selma Karaca of Brooklyn NY creates unique and sensuous designs for women. She was international finalist in the Avant-Garde category of the Gen Art Styles Fashion and Awards Show. Veteran exhibitor of 20 years Lori O’Neill of Santa Rosa will show her latest silk & linen handbags, jackets and coats.  Jewelry of all price ranges and styles from twenty fine artisans will be showcased under the redwoods.

Visits the festival website for list of all exhibiting artists.

Entertainment:

This year’s musical performers cover many genres from Gypsy Jazz to Celtic and Americana.  The beautiful outdoor stage of Old Mill Park will play host to young up and coming Marin musicians  taking center stage on Saturday with singer/songwriter Sofi Rox, the Matt Jaffe Band plus Caroline de Lone who will pair up with her father Austin de Lone. Austin has collaborated with many big names in the industry including Elvis Costello.  His performance with Caroline: “Like Father, Like Daughter” is not to be missed.

Sunday has another great line up including Chris Rowan of the Rowan Brothers opening and Kathyrn Claire closing the show.  Since joining the David Grisman Quintet in 1989, SF Bay Area flutist Matt Eakle has been blowing crowds out of their chairs and onto their feet.  Check out his band Sunday at 1:00.
 See full music schedule below.

Each year the children’s entertainment draws hundreds of youngster to the fairy ring in the lower park during the festival. Kids have it “made in the shade” with magic, marionettes, music and more!  Face painting and hands on crafts will bring out the artist in the  youngsters.  See full schedule below.

Food:

Enjoy good food and drink benefiting local non-profits. Pick from Stefano’s Pizza and baked goods provided by Kiddo! Or BooKoo Asian Street Cuisine benefiting PATH: Patrons of the Arts at Tam. There will be Caesar salad and Roast Chicken benefiting Mill Valley Association of Volunteer Fire Fighters.  Check the event program for full menus.

About the Festival:

The Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival is unique in that it is by a volunteer committee of local artists! These committed volunteers have given the Bay Area community a spectacular festival to enjoy for 56 years.  Any surplus funds from this non-profit festival go right back to the community for park improvements.  The festival also supports young artists.  Since 2010 they have awarded Tam High art students funds for art education through their Emerging Artist Awards.  The 2012 recipients are: 1st place: Riley Sykes, 2nd place: Rowan Walton and 3rd place: Emily Low Schwenk. This year the festival added the Michael Osborne Graphic Design Scholarship awarded to senior Lucas Waldburger.

 

Ride to the Festival in style! MV Transport will be providing the FREE bus transport service for the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival this year. Park at Tam High and ride in style. This is a major upgrade from the old school buses used in the past. These state of the art shuttles are plush, roomy and easy turning.  – Check the route and stops on the festival website.

 

Best of all is the setting itself: a fragrant redwood forest at the close of summer, shaded by its mountain.

2012 Festival Performers

Musical Stage

Sunday, Sept 16
12 noon Chris Rowan
1pm  Matt Eakle Band
2pm   Beso Negro
3:00 Laura & Anton of Foxtails Brigade
4:00 Kathryn Claire Band