Art Association Napa Valley

In March, 1948, a group of artists formally started the Napa Valley Art and Garden Association (the Garden group broke off after a year or so).
In 1953, then-president Theodore McFall and his wife Vernice purchased the land at 1520 Behrens Street in Napa from the City on behalf of the Art Association. According to legend, the property previously housed the horse barn for the Fire Department, but that structure was no longer present. The cost of the land was a little over $500. Over the next couple of years, the McFalls loaned the Art Association the funds to help build a “clubhouse” with other donate funds and materials and all volunteer labor. The Art Association clubhouse opened in 1953 with a General Membership meeting featuring a demonstration by a local weaver. It is now considered the AANV Art Center and “community meeting space,” available not only for AANV art instruction and meetings, but also for other non-profits and community groups or businesses to enjoy.

Current membership is 198. A large portion of member dues and a percentage of art sold contributes annually to the AANV Scholarship Fund, which benefits seven local high school and college students who wish to pursue artistic careers. The scholarships total $7000/year and are awarded annually at the AANV General Meeting on the fourth Monday in June.

The Art Association has had several co-op galleries around the Valley in its 75 years, including St Helena, Yountville, and Napa. The current Art Gallery Napa Valley is in downtown Napa at 1307 First Street and showcases over 50 artists contributing to our downtown arts culture and economic development.

AANV also produces and operates the annual Open Studios Napa Valley arts event. Open Studios Napa Valley is a free, self-guided, art discovery tour which takes place over the last two full weekends of September each year. It has been operated by the Art Association since 2010 and typically showcases over 80 artists throughout the Valley.