Results tagged “arts” from Travel

Napa has a rich history of supporting the arts and now from the Opera House to the Hess Collection, from public art installations to downtown gallery owners, Napa is fast becoming an art lover's destination. The many active studio artists in Napa are adding to the mix with their annual Open Studios self-guided tour organized by Arts Council Napa Valley.

Linda Cordair of Quent Cordair Gallery on First Street has been very happy with her move to Napa. Quent Cordair Gallery opened on July 4, 2008 after 13 years in Burlingame. The gallery specializes in "Romantic Realism" and has a very strong web presence. Ms. Cordair has found that moving to Napa has given her clientele a great excuse to travel here for their art-buying, particularly as Cordair has conveniently partnered with local hotels. "This is a world class destination more exciting for our clients to visit. They travel from as far away as Switzerland, New Zealand and China for our collections and with the completion of the River Front project we can really see a positive direction for downtown Napa. We want to do all we can to help fill the empty storefronts and bring more galleries here."

Long time public art champion, Harry Price, managing partner of CDI, developer of the Napa River Inn project and Napa Square on First Street, has this to say about the role of art in the community, "Art is an integral component of civilizations; we look back to them and look at what type of art they created. It is a measure of civilization and culture, so we honor our own culture by the art we leave behind."

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By Louisa Hufstader

Party time! Artists gather for Open Studios preview at Mumm

It's a big week for the visual arts in Napa: Aug. 28 marks the kickoff of the annual Open Studios event sponsored by Arts Council Napa Valley, which hosts a preview reception and benefit that evening at Mumm Napa Valley.

But first: The historic Napa Mill continues its Wednesday series "Locals Night at the Mill," with live music, wine tasting, $5 appetizers at the Napa General Store and specials from Vintage Sweet Shoppe, Amelia's Gifts, Angele and Sweetie Pies, along with a Riverwalk display of local fine artists who have been juried into the Open Studios tour. Napa River Inn Plaza, 500 Main Street, Napa, 5 to 9 p.m.; www.napariverinn.com.

A Free, Self Guided Fine Art Discovery Tour


Every fall, when trucks bearing tons of grapes appear on the roads of Napa Valley, the sun-drenched trees begin to show their fall colors, and the hottest days of the year roll through the gorgeous valley, it's the season for artists to throw open their studio doors and welcome friends, neighbors, and visitors into their creative workspaces for the annual Open Studios tour. 

Arts Council Napa Valley's Open Studios is a free, self-guided fine art discovery tour that runs during the last two weekends of September.  The 2009 Open Studios Honorary Co-Chairs, Eleanor Coppola and Kathryn Hall, invite patrons to experience this year's tour, featuring 88 of the finest artists and craftspeople in the Napa Valley. 

Whether you are an avid collector or just curious about art, Open Studios is an incredible opportunity to peer into the creative spaces of Napa Valley painters, metal and stone sculptors, mosaicists, photographers, ceramists, printmakers, fiber artists, jewelry makers, glass artists and other fine craftspeople, and to buy local art right from the source.

Napa Valley Open Studios

Sherrell Harper is a Napa Valley watercolor and acrylic artist known for intense color and strong highlights and specializes in still life featuring wine glasses, pairings, and food, exhibiting the essence of Napa.  Her passion for art started late in life after a career in technology and Napa has supported her adventure. She is deeply involved in the arts community and appreciates the gift of living and working in the Valley.

Napa Valley Open Studios

Karen Winograde is a longtime Napa Valley artist whose beautiful pottery is functional for the home and garden.  Her love of the land of Napa Valley extends to more than just the landscape.  "I love earth, dirt, getting dirty, love making things... and my love for it grows and grows and never gets old." 

Winograde first fell in love with pottery in the 60's when she watched clay being made, wedged, formed into pots and fired in a dung fired beehive kiln in Mexico.  "I said... I want to do that!"

Chamber Music Festival Offers Concerts in Intimate Winery Venues

By Natasha Biasell

This August, 33 renowned musicians from around the world will travel to the Napa Valley to perform in Music in the Vineyards' 15th annual chamber music festival. The three-week festival showcases artists-in-residence performing in intimate winery settings with complimentary wine tastings at intermission.

The festival kicks off on Wednesday, August 5th in the Hudson House of the beautiful Beringer Vineyards where The Blue Baroque Band, an ensemble of recorder, violin, oboe, bassoon and harpsichord, will play seven classical works from the great musical centers of the 18th Century. The new festival venue this year is Cakebread Cellars, hosting a concert featuring a Dvorak Quintet for two violins, viola, cello and double bass on Saturday, August 8th.

By Lisa Adams Walter

Good times and laughter are set to fill Lincoln Theater Napa Valley in Yountville when the Summer / Fall 2009 Season kicks off on Saturday, August 22 with an exclusive Northern California appearance by Tony Award-winning Broadway star Ben Vereen. An eclectic and upbeat slate of performances that will lift spirits follows with acts that range from the Glenn Miller Orchestra, to kid-friendly shows, to jazz with The Brubeck Brothers, to the iconic John Cleese. Tickets, which range from extreme values at $10 to the highest priced tickets at just $69 per seat, are on sale now.

"At Lincoln Theater Napa Valley, we have tried to concentrate on shows that are lighthearted and entertaining and that we can bring to the local community as well as wine country visitors at reasonable prices," said Richard Aldag, Lincoln Theater Napa Valley Executive Director. "We have emphasized comedy, upbeat music, family shows and nostalgia."

The Summer / Fall 2009 Season opens with an Intimate Evening of Broadway with the Tony Award-winning Ben Vereen, Saturday, August 22 at 8 p.m. Few entertainers are as accomplished and versatile as this incomparable Broadway and screen star, singer, dancer and actor.