Programs
Below is a listing of all the annual/ongoing programs of the American Canyon Arts Foundation. Just click on the specific program that you’re interested in to learn more. You can also go to ourNews & Events Page for the latest updates.
Visual and Performing Arts
Art Extravaganza & Concert: This is our signature event and fundraiser. Local and regional artists are invited to show their art and the works are judged by professional artists. In addition, we added an outdoor concert to draw a crowd and create the synergy to make this a wonderful event. This year we are grateful that R&D Winery will be our host. The main event is Saturday, June 6, but the artwork will be at the winery for an additional time after the event. More details will follow. Keep up to date with our News & Events page, or go directly to our Art Extravaganza page for details on our current/prior year event.
ACHS Art & Music Fest: One of our major community goals is to build a strong partnership with our local high school. We nurture and encourage student artists because they will be the community creatives for the next generation–and hopefully, lead the Arts Foundation into the future. The Art & Music Fest is a celebration of our high school painters, photographers, sculptors, musicians, dancers, poets and actors. This year we are working with the local Chamber of Commerce and the Mustard Celebration to ensure a larger turnout and greater sponsorships. Winning students receive awards, scholarships and the opportunity to have their work enjoyed by a regional audience. All net proceeds are donated to the High School Visual And Performing Arts (VAPA) program. For the latest updates, go to our News & Events page.
Student Art Contest: A partnership with Napa County and Fifth District Supervisor, Belia Ramos, we host two Student Art Contests–Spring and Fall. Any Middle or High School student in the Fifth District is eligible to enter a single art object. The artwork is then judge and the top three artists receive a cash scholarship. All the art is on display in various locations, including Supervisor Ramos’ American Canyon office, the County Library and elsewhere. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our youthful artists and give them the recognition and encouragement to pursue their dreams. For the latest information, or to enter your artwork, go to our News & Events page.
Classes: We offer a variety of art-related classes and programs for the community, from children’s art to adults. We are currently growing our program, and we welcome feedback, both from artist/instructors, as well as those who want to learn. We also provide a space for a variety of art-related experiences, including a Ukulele Jam session!
Cultural Arts
Juneteenth Celebration: We partner with Brenda Knight Events to host the annual Juneteenth Celebration in American Canyon. This is primarily a music festival, but it also explains the history and significance of this national holiday. The event is held at American Canyon’s Main Street Park, on Father’s Day. For more information about the event, go to our News & Events page.
Parol Festival and Competition: Teaming up with the FilAm Club of American Canyon, we host the annual Parol Festival and Competition, on the first Saturday in December. The Parol is a Filipino Lantern, intended as part of the Christmas festivities. We sponsor a number of workshops, where the art of building a basic Parol is taught. From there, we encourage everyone to submit their own Parol in a competition. The winners receive a certificate and a cash award. Part of the funding for this program comes from a Napa County Arts & Culture grant. Get the latest updates by going to our News & Events page.
Cultural Arts Sponsorships: Over the years, we have partnered or co-sponsored a number of programs, from the Multi-Cultural event by Helping Hand Indo-America, to Arvind Nischal’s Holi Festival of Colors, to our own Irish Cultural Event. Our goal is to fund raise so we can help support other organizations produce authentic cultural programs. Because there are so many different cultures in American Canyon, the best way to stay current on programs we produce, or help sponsor, is to go to our News & Events page.
Community Programs
Pumpkin Path: This fun event started during the Covid Pandemic, when indoor events weren’t encouraged. We started by giving away the pumpkin with a small paint kit, but that soon evolved to hosting the event at the Wetlands Edge Park. The public is invited to show up on the first Saturday in October, to pick a pumpkin and paint it in whatever fashion moves you! This free event is sponsored by the City of American Canyon, Recology, Kiwanis Club of American Canyon and others. We are particularly proud of the fact that the local Walmart store donated the pumpkins for the 2025 event. For more, go to our News & Events page.
Third Thursdays: Our monthly program that rotates between art shows/exhibits, musical and other live performances and cultural programs. We meet on the Third Thursday of the month, in Room 5 of The Mikolajcik Center, 300 Napa Junction Road. Although primarily for members, anyone interested in joining ACAF is welcomed to attend. And guests are always welcomed!
Public Art: We support public art in American Canyon. Starting with the 911 Memorial artwork currently in front of the Public Safety Building, we also produced the Community Mosaic Project, located at the Mikolajcik Center. Currently, we are working on a Mural Art project.
Grants and Scholarships: We also provide scholarships to students pursuing a career in the Arts, or small grants to support the Visual and Performing Arts programs in our schools.