This week’s Dance First Spotlight is on Karin Conn & the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival!

65th Annual

Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival

To be held Sept 17 & 18

The longest running West Coast juried art festival of the country’s 130 top fine artists (Mill Valley, California)

The 65th Annual Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival will take place among the redwoods in historic Old Mill Park, Mill Valley, California on Saturday and Sunday, September 17-18, 2022. The juried festival will feature more than 130 local and national artists from as far as Hawaii and New York, representing sculpture, painting, ceramics, photography, textiles, woodwork, and jewelry from over 15 media categories.

In addition, the festival includes two days of live entertainment on both a main stage and a children’s stage along with children’s art activities and fantastic food from local eateries and non-profit organizations.

Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.  It attracts the finest collection of arts and crafts for patrons in the country to view and purchase.  This is rated one of the top 10 fine arts and craft shows in the Northwest. Thousands of art lovers come from all over the Bay Area to attend this beloved festival and stroll under the redwoods.

The festival is unique in that it is primarily operated by a committed group of volunteers, including local artists.
All artists have already won simply by jurying into this prestigious Festival, but each year we go one step further and award four (4) exhibiting artists a Special Recognition Award. The award comes with a $500 check and automatic entry into next year’s Festival.

In 2010, the festival established a scholarship program for Tamalpais High School students who excel in the arts. $500 awards are given to two (2) senior Advanced Placement Studio Art students and $250 awards are given to two (2) juniors in either 2D Design, Drawing or 3D portfolio. Unlike most scholarships that go to the institution, our awards go directly to the student to be used for tuition, art supplies and encourage them along the path to becoming artists.

The Festival is the 2018 recipient of the Vera Schultz Award, which honors achievements of organizations that have made lasting contributions to the cultural life of Mill Valley.

“This year, the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival celebrates its 65th year, and it continues to provide the fertile ground that gave it birth. Once a community celebration with local artist works shown in storefront windows. Now a nationally recognized Festival showcasing the finest in visual and performing arts. Through conscious design it has maintained its integrity and character. We are proud that our “Little Festival that could” helps us build on some of the best elements of our local culture both past and present.

MVFAF is the reflection of our community’s unique heritage and the efforts of a very creative and dedicated group of artists and community members. My great appreciation and regard for our Committee, Board of Directors, and Volunteers, as they are the ones who have made this happen for 65 years,” says Steve Bajor, executive director of the Festival.

About Steve Bajor: Bajor is a Marin native with decades of creating, producing, and managing over a thousand diverse local, regional, and national events including, Sausalito Art Festival, Whole Earth Festival, North Beach Festival, and all of San Francisco’s notable Street Festivals, just to name a few. He won the “Milley Award” for his “contribution to the creative life of Mill Valley.”

Free shuttle transportation provided from key spots around Mill Valley.  Details about the route and stops can be found at the festival website: www.mvfaf.org. The Festival partners with Marin Bicycle Coalition.  Riders can securely park their bikes in front of the Depot on Throckmorton and receive a voucher for $5 off at the gate.

$20 GA at the gate. $15 Seniors, Free for students, children under 12, teachers & active-duty military. Bicycle rider discounts. Visit: mvfaf.org

When: Saturday and Sunday, September 17 and 18, 2022. 10:00am to 5:00pm

Where: Old Mill Park320 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley CA 94941415-381-8090

Website: http://www.mvfaf.org/