Ten years ago when I moved to Napa from San Francisco (post New York, Atlanta, and Oakland) I was dismayed at the lack of cultural to do's in this day trippers town. I like wine as much as the next recovering Catholic, but I can only listen to someone talk about bouquet and terrior for so long.

I started to look under rocks for other "starving for arts" people and found a brilliant spectrum of painters, photographers, writers, performers, sculptures and curators. Since then it seems that the rest of the valley is catching on. The arts have become a treasured and viable aspect of living here—so, color me hopeful.

But there are still arts organizations struggling, needing our support, deserving an audience, members, and donors. The Arts Council of Napa Valley is the mother of all arts groups. It exists to promote and support all of the other organizations in all disciplines.

As an artist I have reaped the benefits of such events as Art on First, Meet the Makers, and other calls for artists. As a resident of the Napa Valley I have enjoyed the new look of our town through the Napa ARTwalk, Art on First and the student art exhibitions at City Hall. And, as Marketing Director at di Rosa, I have seen the ACNV programs, such as NV Arts and Arts in April, pay off for our local arts organizations.

I’m sure that you have also benefited from at least one of these events in the past year (at least the free cheese and crackers at receptions!). Now is the time to show that you appreciate the fact that the Arts Council has improved our quality of life in the Napa Valley. Please, please, please show your support of all this hard work and become a member of the Arts Council today.

http://www.artscouncilnapavalley.org/membership.shtml