MILL VALLEY FALL ARTS FESTIVAL

SUMMARY: Mill Valley, CA is host to a unique art festival that is set outdoors among redwood groves. Its high community involvement as well as a high quality art showcase characterizes the festival.

Steeped in Mill Valley community tradition

The Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival began in 1956 with a group of artists exhibiting their works in downtown store windows. Five years later, as participation increased, the fledgling "Harvest Moon Festival" was held in Lytton Square. In 1962, the festival was incorporated, became an independent nonprofit organization, changed its name, and moved to its present site at historic Old Mill Park.

Continuing today, the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival reflects the spirit of its namesake town. The community comes together in a significant way in order to host this art festival that is unique to the San Francisco Bay Area. With the booths literally at the base of redwood groves, the festival setting is both beautiful and serene.

Festival volunteers make it happen

One important distinctive of the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival is it's very low cost to patrons. This is only possible because of the huge involvement by the local community. The festival enjoys great participation by individual volunteers as well as significant donations of money and in-kind services by local organizations.

Main stage entertainment is provided free by Bay Area performers seeking a respected and valued venue, and the children’s entertainment and craft activities are also free, thanks to local performers and service organizations.

Only the finest arts and crafts

Don’t be deceived by the low cost of this festival. That is strictly the legacy of this highly-involved community. Because of the strong support this community gives the arts, the Mill Valley festival attracts the high quality artists that have given the festival notoriety in the art community.

Every year the Festival Committee selects a new panel of jurors chosen from a pool of names suggested by the Board of directors, the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival Committee, and the community. The panel is composed of professional artists, educators, and gallery owners, all with a balanced understanding of media. This jury panel then views approximately 2,500 works from which they make their selections for inclusion in the festival.

For photographers and painters alike, this festival is a special opportunity to view quality new art in a setting that complements the festival rather than simply being host to it.

For more information about the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival, visit their website [www.mvfaf.org] or call the main office at (415) 381-8090.

Back to Article index