Napa ARTwalk Launches Thursday

Napa ARTwalk public sculpture tour launches this Thursday with a tour of 15 artworks installed throughout downtown Napa for the outdoor exhibition, themed “Metamorphosis.”

The public is invited to the official Napa ARTwalk Kick-Off on Thursday, June 13, 4 p.m. at the Opera House Plaza. 

A welcome and brief introduction to the exhibition will be followed by self-guided tours of the new exhibition, and a “Meet the Artists” reception at Downtown Joe’s Brewery and Restaurant.

The artworks are made from materials ranging from grass sod to reclaimed truck hoods.  Arts Council Napa Valley (ACNV) and the City of Napa arethe co-sponsors.

“Napa ARTwalk has enriched the Downtown Napa experience for local residents and visitors," says Napa Mayor Jill Techel. "Along with first-class entertainment venues and a growing permanent public art program, Napa’s own cultural metamorphosis continues.

"We have great food and wine, premium hospitality, beautiful open space including a river running through our city -- and now, more than ever, an entertainment and cultural scene not to be ignored,” Techel said.

Following the June 13 kick-off, residents and tourists will have the opportunity to explore and interact with the sculpture exhibition on their own time through Spring 2015.

Visitors are encouraged to "scan" QR (“quick read”) codes on each sculpture plaque, as well as on the Napa ARTwalk brochure, which will prompt them with an audio explanation of the work directly through their mobile devices—Locals may recognize the voices of singer and radio personality Kellie Fuller as well as Michael Ross of Napa Valley Playhouse, who narrates the tour. 

Napa ARTwalk participants will once again be asked to vote for their favorite sculpture online throughout the 24-month exhibition period. Tour brochures, featuring a sculpture map, will be available year round at the Napa Valley Welcome Center, 600 Main Street in Downtown Napa, as well as online at www.napaartwalk.org.