Imagine exploring art as an “immersive, sensory and interactive experience,” in a “bohemian vibe of eclectic arts and cultural programming.” That’s what the producers of the fifth annual SARAFORNIA: ENGAGE Calistoga event promise. ENGAGE takes over sections of downtown Calistoga and the Napa County Fairgrounds beginning April 4 and continuing through April 7.
The Calistoga element of Napa Valley’s Arts in April showcases local culture, engaging Bay Area artists, craftspeople and performers with the surrounding community and visitors in a meet-and-greet atmosphere. At the Fairgrounds, you can watch as talents create works on-site, from painting to pottery, and discuss the inspirations of contemporary art and abstract expressionist works. Dive deeper, too, by having your magazine-style cover portrait taken, listening to live music and stories of world travel, and learning the intricacies of making metal and ceramic sculptures. Then, relax in the Vonsaal Design art lounge.
In an extra-friendly community touch, the ENGAGE Art Fair on April 6 is free to attend – though you’ll want to bring your wallet to purchase art, just in case something catches your eye.
You can also set the stage for the arts weekend with the “Avant-Garde Affair” ENGAGE Preview Party that kicks off on Friday, April 5, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Napa County Fairgrounds venue in Calistoga. Your $100 ticket offers you a sneak peek at all the fine arts and pop-up performances, alongside food, wine and beer. In a whimsical touch, guests are asked to dress in all-white to relate to a living, breathing, blank arts canvas.
This year, some of the Engage showstopper artists include Calistoga’s own famous Baker Sisters team of Melissa and Mercedes Baker, who create their elaborate, expressionist paintings in a 1920’s hay barn on a rural six-acre ranch dotted with 100-year-old houses, trees, vintage cars and a gypsy wagon. There’s also Gwen Darling, a Burning Man commissioned ceramist; jewelry designer Yumi Ueno; and Tim Weldon, who creates textured multi-media works from paint, sand, vintage collectibles and rescued objects on surfaces such as canvas, reclaimed wood, vintage signs and doors.
For more details, click HERE.
