The spectacular natural beauty of the North Bay offers artists endless opportunities for inspiration. It’s no wonder, then, that we are home to so many wonderful art festivals, and this time of year brings about three of our favorites: the Tiburon Art Festival, the Sausalito Art Festival and the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival. These three southern Marin events are close in proximity, but each offers its own unique take on the art festival scene.

The Tiburon Art Festival occurs first in the lineup and takes place this weekend, August 28 and 29. Located right in downtown Tiburon on Historic Ark Row, it features jury-selected artists in categories from painting, sculpture and glass to photography and mixed media. In fact, our own Tom Benoit from the San Rafael office is a past exhibitor and is featured in the 2010 event. Downtown Tiburon’s charm, classic wooden buildings and straight-on San Francisco and Bay views add to the appeal. View images from the 2009 Festival here.

In Marin County, Labor Day is synonymous with Sausalito thanks to the Sausalito Art Festival, a perennial event for 58 years. Now the event attracts fine artists from all over the US and abroad and features over 20,000 museum-quality original works. But there’s no need to tiptoe around this museum: in fact, the festival is as much about the art as it is the entertainment, and a large pavilion hosts acts from longstanding favorites. The 2010 performers include Jefferson Starship, the Bangles and Modern English. Read why fellow blogger Rick Smith prefers to stay in town for this Labor Day weekend event.

Like the Sausalito Art Festival, the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival, September 25 and 26, has been around for over 50 years and finishes off a spectacular festival season in Marin. A very family-friendly event, the Fall Arts Festival takes place in Historic Old Mill Park under the shade of the Redwood Trees and also includes entertainment by Bay Area performers and even an area for craft activities.

These three festivals, with their unique flavors, are such wonderful ways to experience and appreciate the rich, vibrant artistic community that has long made its home in the North Bay.

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Posted by:  Frank Howard Allen Realtors