Recently in Arts in April Category

April ushers in a month of arts and special events in the Napa Valley. Blending wine and art throughout the area, the month-long festivities beckon culture-cravers from around the world. In honor of this once-annual event, Milliken Creek Inn & Spa, a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Napa, has curated a package sure to satisfy wine and art lovers alike.

The "Arts in April" package includes:

• One night's accommodations in a Milliken Creek Inn & Spa Room
• Bottle of O'Brien Estate Seduction upon arrival
• Wine tasting for two at the O'Brien Estate Winery 
• Renowned artist,Tim Howe's work is on display and for purchase at both Milliken Creek Inn & O'Brien Estate
• Daily gourmet breakfast for two served in-room or anywhere on property
• Concierge assistance in planning Napa Valley outings including winery visits and dinners
• Two guest passes to Synergy Wellness and Fitness Center
• Daily sunset Magic Hour wine and cheese reception
• Late-night cordial bar

To book this special package, use booking code "ARTS"  online or call 800.822.8418 and mention the package. The "Arts in April" package starts at $320 (plus tax) per one night stay. Offer valid on stays April 1-31, 2013. Package is subject to availability and change. Higher rates may apply on weekends and during holidays. Tax and service charge are not included and upgraded accommodations are available at an additional cost.

The Meritage Resort and Spa is embracing all that the Napa Valley has to offer and celebrating the arts by creating a true "Meritage Masterpiece" with The Art of Relaxation Package.

This one-of-a-kind package allows guests to dream big and paint their own masterpiece. Easels, canvas, paints and brushes, for two, will be provided at check-in along with overnight hotel accommodations in a superior guest room or suite and multiple spa treatments.

While the new Art of Relaxation Package is available year-round, Meritage Resort is excited to extend to guests an opportunity to take a three-hour watercolor class with local artist Jessel Miller during the month of April! This class will be offered each Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and is only $30 (standard price is $45). Additional information about the class can be obtained by calling Jessel Gallery at 707.257.2350.

"Painting and creating art allows the painter to fully relax and embrace the moment," said Jessel Miller, artist, Napa resident and owner of Jessel Gallery. "Soaking in all that Napa has to offer, while appreciating its beauty, is truly freeing. I hope that Arts in April and this package encourage more Napa Valley visitors to relax for a moment and appreciate the true beauty that is only found in Napa."

by Courtney Cochran

When it comes to inspiration, wine country is about as alluring as it gets.  And so it is that wine country art - especially the kind you can meander amongst, on walking tours - takes on especially vivid expression. Whether it's made or just displayed in this lovely setting, it's more than worth a gander. Please allow us to steer you towards some rewarding walks.  

Napa: West End
Encompassing an approximately 6-block area in this once sleepy wine country seat, Napa's West End is a neighborhood offering arts of various intriguing sorts. From traditional art galleries - First Street's Quent Cordair comes to mind with its substantial collection of romantic realistic works - to tasting room installations to a fully restored, circa-1937 Art Deco theater, the Uptown, Napa's West End offers much to see on a stroll. Chris Isaak and Rusted Root are among the top-notch performances that can be seen at the Uptown, along with its colorful (original!) neon marquee. Or, come Saturday night, stop into Ceja Vineyards' tasting room for a rotating selection of artworks in addition to pours, then dance the night away via the spot's free salsa lessons.  

Need some mementos? Pick these up at the West End Napa gift store inside the contemporary Avia Hotel building. It's also where the neighborhood "living room" can be found, natch. The area is couched in the western portion of downtown Napa, approximately from School to Randolph streets and from First to Third streets.

Napa ARTwalk Momentum: Art that Moves (Us)
Arts Council Napa Valley (ACNV) and the Napa Community Redevelopment Agency have announced the return of the Napa ARTwalk interactive public sculpture exhibition and tour in downtown Napa. The second ARTwalk, titled "Momentum: Art that Moves (Us)," launched on October 19th 2011 and will be on exhibition through April, 2013 in downtown Napa. 

Art works - which hew to a new theme each exhibition - are selected with the help of CaFE (callforentry.org) and a panel of local art administrators, artists, and city officials.  The cost is free, and exhibits can be accessed throughout the day, 365 days a year, at visitors' leisure.  Download a map here, and for more information, call 707-257-2117.

For the entire month of April, Westin Verasa Napa (hotel located in downtown Napa) revolving art's gallery will display works of art from the Westin's very own employees. What fun! See what inspires their Sommelier, Toni Johnson or Guest Services Agent, Jessica Jones.

Why not plan a short escape, stay at the hotel for some rest and relaxation and peruse the artwork firsthand! There are several specials and packages available. CLICK HERE.

FEATURED ARTWORK

*Uptown Theater
1350 Third Street Napa, California 94559
Phone: 707.259.0123 ~ Box Office Hours: Mon.- Sat.: 12pm-4pm; Sundays: Closed

Jimmy Cliff
April 15, 2012 - 8pm - $45-$55
With a legacy stretching back nearly 50 years, the Honourable Jimmy Cliff is still standing as one of the prime movers and continuing shapers of modern music. More Details.

Craig Ferguson
April 25, 2012 - 8pm - $50-$65
Comedian & host of The Late Late Show on CBS. Craig Ferguson entered the world of late night comedy following a diverse and eclectic career that encompasses film, television and the stage. Since taking the helm of Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on January 3, 2005, the show has set all-time viewer records and achieved the highest ratings since the shows inception in 1995. More Details.

CLICK HERE for the full performance line-up for April.

by Courtney Cochran

The month of April is not only a harbinger of warmer weather: it's a cue for wine country's most creative to kick off their annual arts calendars.  From photography exhibits to live theater and concerts, arts events offered this April boast plenty of variety - and some diverting new acts. Here are just a few of the highlights:

Art Film Series: Under the Tuscan Sun
Downtown St. Helena's charmingly restored Cameo Theater lights up the valley with its star wattage-fueled screenings and special film events.  April will see the theater play host to Under the Tuscan Sun author Frances Mayes.  A screening of the film will be followed by a Q&A and book signing of Mayes' latest cook book, all accompanied by Italian bites from Knickerbocker's Catering and wine from Benessere Winery. Gelato from Sogni di Dolci and homemade limoncello will top off this anticipated arts event.
4/1 12pm * 1340 Main St., St. Helena * Tickets: (707) 963-3946

The Art of the Cycle @ Velo Vino
Avid bicyclist-vintners Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford present this exhibition featuring the paintings of New York artist Tahiah Lempert, whose work focuses on bicycles.  Described as "energetic," Lempert's work brings a creative focus to movement and gesture derived from this classic mode of transport.  The winery notes that visitors participating in the "Arts For April" program will receive a complimentary "Peloton" tasting which includes a sampling of all of current release wines, a 10% discount on purchases and a complimentary Clif Bar.
4/9 10am-6pm * Clif Family Winery @ Velo Vino, 709 Main St., St. Helena