Outdoor Art Club
Planting the Future: The Outdoor Art Club Gets Ready for Its Next Century
If you’ve walked past the shingled building tucked behind the wisteria-covered gate at 1 West Blithedale Avenue lately, you may have noticed something: the Outdoor Art Club has been busy. In fact, over the past three years, the Club — one of the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce’s longtime members — has quietly undertaken a once-in-a-century effort to preserve and renew one of downtown’s architectural gems. The club has hosted generations of civic gatherings, performances, celebrations, and community conversations – but few people remember that in the 1930s it narrowly escaped demolition when the City proposed turning the site into a parking lot. Now, the Club’s members have once again rolled up their sleeves to care for this landmark — this time by ensuring it meets modern safety and health standards while preserving its historic character.
Read MoreThe Outdoor Art Club Hosts an Extraordinary Season of Deep Dives into the Arts, Local Politics & the Natural World, From Grammy-Nominated Legends to World-Class Climate Scientists!
The OAC’s public speaker programs for 2025-2026 begin in September. We hope you will join us for an engaging year of speaker programs and public events. Be sure to note the location for each program. Our Clubhouse will be closed from January through May as our kitchen undergoes a major renovation. Programs during that period will be at various locations.
Read MoreThe Outdoor Art Club Hosts ‘Why Does A.I. Matter – Oct. 30th, Doors Open at 6:30pm for Libations & Lively Conversation – Free Admission!
Reserve on Eventbrite for a lively evening with A.I. expert and Mill Valley resident Susan Gonzalez, who will join us in conversation covering basics about how artificial intelligence can improve our daily lives. Gonzalez will be be answering questions that range from “Why does that chatbot want to be my friend?” to “Is it my imagination or is my A.I. tool hallucinating?” Gonzalez, the founder and CEO of non-profit AIandYou, previously served as a policy exec at Facebook and on the National A.I. Advisory Committee advising the White House A.I. initiative office.
Read MoreGov. Newsom Slashes $11.5 Million for Performing Arts Fund, Devastating Bay Area Organizations
Newsom’s revision isn’t final, though; the legislature makes its own amendments before passing a budget on June 15. In the meantime, SFBATCO and other performing arts companies are urging their followers to write their representatives, the state budget committee and the governor’s office, with Dance Mission inviting allies to a letter-writing and phone-banking potluck at its Mission District facility at 3316 24th St. starting at noon on Saturday, May 17. The move comes nearly two weeks after theaters, circuses, music groups and more across the region and the country received “letters of termination” regarding their promised grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Read MoreMt. Tam Church is Hosting a Blood Drive on Tuesday, March 11th, 11am-4pm in their Fellowship Hall
In partnership with the American Red Cross, Mt. Tam Church is hosting a blood drive on Tuesday, March 11th, from 11am-4pm in their Fellowship Hall. Please visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=MILLVALLEY to sign up. If, at any time, appointment slots are full, please reach out to us to be added to the waitlist in case we have cancellations or last-minute no-shows. If you’re willing to be on-call, please email triciawiig@mtumc.org with your name, phone number, email address and blood type (if known). We will reach out as needed.
Read MoreOutdoor Art Club Hosts Marin Masters Fine Art Show – May 30-31st, 5-8pm
“Join us for an elegant and artsy evening featuring a stunning showcase of fine art available for purchase,” says Outdoor Art Club Communications Director Susie Roy. “Savor delicious appetizers and indulge in a no-host bar while exploring the beautifully manicured gardens and the historic Bernard Maybeck building. This is an event not to be missed for art enthusiasts and lovers of refined experiences.”
Read MoreAcclaimed Filmmaker Christine Yoo Discusses Her Film ‘26.2 to Life – Virtual, Oct. 12, 1pm
This unique initiative pairs incarcerated runners with elite marathon coaches, leading to a remarkable 0% recidivism rate among club alumni. This compelling narrative underscores the profound influence of community involvement, reshaping the lives of both inmates and volunteers.
Read MoreRenowned Attorney and Longtime Community Volunteer Jim Parton Passes Away at 71 – a Celebration of Life Is on Thursday, July 20, 3:30-5:30pm at the Outdoor Art Club
Jim lived life fully with honesty, integrity and a sense of fun. He didn’t believe in sugar coating or hiding the bracing truths of life behind soft, nondescript, feel-good language.
Read MoreChristina Mueller, Long One of the Bay Area’s Best Chroniclers of the Deliciousness and Beauty That Surrounds Us In Mill Valley, Has Done It Again – And We’re So Grateful!
We wake up every day extolling the bounty of natural beauty, amazing restaurants, world class arts & culture organizations, innovation and creativity that serves as the backbone of the 94941. It’s in our DNA to promote the heck out of the town we love. But it sure is amazing when others share that love of Mill Valley, as journalist and longtime local resident Christina Mueller has done below.
Read MoreBook Passage’s Petrocelli Delivers Holiday List of Books to Give at OAC Via Zoom – Dec. 1, 1pm
If you’re looking to make those purchases without leaving the 94941, the neighbor-owned Depot Bookstore has you covered within the Depot Bookstore & Cafe.
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