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Arts Council Napa Valley Announces Dates & Enhancements for 2009 Open Studios

Napa, CA, July 10, 2009

Council also garners prestigious grants and awards

Arts Council Napa Valley (ACNV) today announced this year’s dates for Open Studios, a free, self-guided fine art discovery tour featuring 88 talented local artists. Open Studios runs during the last two weekends in September, the 19th & 20Th and 26th & 27th. The Open Studios Exhibition Reception, featuring work from participating artists, is on August 28th at the Mumm Napa Fine Art Gallery, with the Exhibition running from August 28 to September 10. The Closing Celebration will be hosted by HALL Winery on September 27th.

“We have also made important and valuable enhancements this year that will heighten the program experience and make the 2009 experience the best yet,” said Richard Williams, ACNV Board President. They include:

• For the first time, the program has Honorary Co-Chairs, Eleanor Coppola and Kathryn Hall.
  
• To ensure the quality of the art, participating artists were selected by a 5-member jury of art experts and gallery owners from around the Bay Area.
  
• Thanks to ACNV’s strategic partnership with the Napa Valley Vintners, wineries and resorts will exhibit work by participating artists during the weekends of the tour.
  
• A new Open Studios website provides details on the participating artists, images of their work, and interactive Google Maps of artist and sponsor locations. The site allows patrons to search for artists by name, medium, and location, and features event sponsors and partner wineries. Visit www.nvopenstudios.com.
  
• Beautiful, full-color Artist Catalogs will be available in August to help patrons plan their self-guided tour. Please visit the Open Studios website for catalog pickup locations.
  

"A community is only as vibrant as its culture,” said Honorary Co-Chair Eleanor Coppola. “Open Studios makes it possible for all of us to meet our local artists and experience their creative process. Don't miss this opportunity." For 22 years, this program has educated and inspired locals and visitors about Napa Valley art, while supporting the livelihoods of working artists and the economic health of the community.

In more news, for the first time, ACNV has received a grant from the Hewlett Foundation. Executive Director, Michelle Williams, was recently named “2009 Outstanding Nonprofit Employee” by the Napa Chamber Foundation’s Community Awards, and ACNV has been named “Best Non-Profit” two consecutive years by the North Bay Bohemian.

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Arts Council Napa Valley is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that supports a thriving and diverse creative community by expanding arts education, nurturing the development of artistic talent, and collaborating with arts and community organizations across the county. It serves as the supporting organization to the Napa County Commission for Arts and Culture, which reports to the Napa County Transportation and Planning Agency. Its major programs include the annual Open Studios, Arts in Education, Revolving Door Art, Master Arts Calendar, local, regional and national arts advocacy, and county-wide cultural planning. The Council's programs are made possible by foundation and governmental grants and corporate and individual contributions from its community, the county, state of California and beyond. Please visit www.artscouncilnapavalley.org.

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