With so much natural beauty all around Marin County, we sometimes forget that there is much made art to be appreciated in our midst as well. Across the county there are institutions and individuals creating and enriching our lives and environments.
Stinson Beach painting in header by Andrew Faulkner
Murals murals on the wall
Recognition by Zio Ziegler, 2016
Zio Ziegler, local boy wonder, has been painting murals as far afield as London, Paris, Tokyo and Cozumel, Mexico, and as close as San Francisco’s Tenderloin, Mission and Outer Sunset and for such companies as Facebook, Google and Uber. His murals have have climbed the exterior walls of local businesses Proof Lab, Tam Bike, the Sequoia Theatre and the Throckmorton Theatre. He’s even been commissioned by a local Mill Valley family to paint their Porsche and Tesla. His art features "repeated motifs of primitive patterns, gigantism, and distortion"[7] and is improvisational rather than carefully planned.[2]It’s a crazy quilt of bursts of color and pattern that liven the spaces it inhabits.
Tower of Power
Hand-built from more than 2000 pounds of eucalyptus branches harvested during Terra Linda Preserve fire fuel reduction. The carefully interwoven branches are over twenty feet high. The Spirit Nest is a unique, interactive art piece. This experiential sculpture educates about wildfire risk, fire fuel reduction, and ecosystem preservation. This powerful symbol engages the community in a shared building experience and highlights the connection between nature and creativity. Parks collaborated with artist Jayson Fann and community volunteers to create the Spirit Nest, which is open to the public at Stafford Lake Park and creates a destination to draw people outdoors , especially those who have not visited the park before.
Illuminatae
Illumigarden is a quirky space tucked away in Mill Valley near City Hall and the main fire station. In this former original Smith and Hawken garden store space the owner has created a garden of earthly artsy delights. You’ll find whimsical metal sculpture and carved stone totems. There are plenty of spots to rest and contemplate. Take some tea which is provided or sit down and sketch as there is plenty of paper and pencils/crayons to scratch your creative urges.
At the Edge
The Headlands Center for the Arts is a multidisciplinary, international arts center dedicated to supporting artists; the creative process; and the development of new, innovative ideas and artwork.Headlands artists programs support artists of all disciplines—from visual artists to performers, musicians, writers, and videographers—and provide opportunities for independent and collaborative creative work. Several times a month Headlands Center for the Arts host public events such as open houses, exhibitions, conversations, community meals, walks, and workshops. Regardless of the format, events are designed to connect visitors to art in real time.Headlands Center for the Arts is about people, their ideas, and the things they make, Where we are is as important as what we do. The campus comprises a cluster of artist-rehabilitated military buildings, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge at historic Fort Barry in the Marin Headlands, a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Sight and Insight
O’Hanlon Center for the Arts is a unique community-focused nonprofit art center located on two acres at the base of Mount Tamalpais. From its’ rich history to it’s beautiful setting, O’Hanlon Center has much in common with other California artists’ colonies founded in the early and mid 20th century. It honors the cultural legacy of Ann and Dick O’Hanlon, and also strive to give back in new and innovative ways to the artists, art lovers, writers, and performers who inspire and support .O’Hanlon Center for the Arts is located one mile from downtown Mill Valley on several acres of beautiful woodland. There are two public buildings which provide space for a variety of activities. Ann and Richard O’Hanlon founded the Center in 1969 and has expanded to include the literary, performing and healing arts. The creative tent is big and expansive.
Marin MoCA
MarinMOCA is located at 500 Palm Drive at the historic Hamilton Field in Novato, California. The museum has a main gallery as well as the Ron Collins lobby gallery, the Second Floor gallery, a museum store, an education program, and artist studios. Over 60 artists have working studios in four buildings that provide an atmosphere of creative energy in which contemporary art flourishes. There are classes and workshops and an artist in residence program.
Tribeca in Sausalito
The landmark ICB (Industrial Center Building), located in Sausalito’s historic Marinship District, was built in 1942 as part of a large shipyard complex during WWII. Beginning in the 1950s artists were attracted to its big open spaces, natural light and cheap rents. Today it is known for the three floors of artist studios. There are over 50 artists working in a changing variety of mediums including oil and acrylics, pastels, egg tempera, clay, fiber, photography, jewelry, sculpture, and digital media.
ICB painting by artist, Andrew Faulkner
Many of the artists exhibit locally and some show their work nationally and even internationally. Since 1968, the ICB artists have welcomed the public to come into their working studios during the Winter Open Studios event held during the first weekend in December. Open Studios offers a unique opportunity to meet the artists and talk to them about their creative process and their art. In addition, some artists do commissioned work and some offer to teach privately or in a workshop.