If you’re able to be out and about in Mill Valley, you’ve surely noticed that the 94941 has been blooming with new public art all over town in recent years, from art boxes, art benches and celestial sculptures to free-standing doors in the Depot Plaza to promote racial justice and beautiful, thought-provoking murals by Wesley Cabral on figures like Breonna Taylor and legendary Rep. John Lewis and actor Chadwick Boseman.
You can expect to see a gorgeous, comprehensive guide to public art in the 94941 in our upcoming EMV Guide within the August issue of Marin Magazine, which will hit mailboxes in a few weeks.
In the meantime, the Mill Valley Arts Commission has much more on the way, starting with the return of “Knitting Us Together,” a public art project on the plaza that seeks to bring the community together via a unique form of public art. The project asks artists of all ages to create knitted or crocheted patches of yarn and flowers to temporarily cover some of the trees on and around the plaza with those urban knitting pieces. As evident in the collage to the left, the knit or crocheted patches of yarn and flowers provide a yet another spectacular splash of color to the plaza.
“Everyone can participate and enjoy the installation by walking through or driving by the Plaza,” says Arts Commission Chair Coleen Byrne. “This will be a temporary installation and is commonly called ‘Urban Knitting.’ It will involve temporarily, and safely, covering some of the trees in the plaza with knit or crocheted patches of yarn and flowers. We plan to launch the Art Installation on August 27. It will remain up through October.”
The commission seeks to involve knitters of all ages. If you would like to be involved, please knit or crochet a 12-inch square or rectangle (rectangular pieces should not exceed 12 inches in height.) The color theme is to be International Orange, Marin Blue & Forest Green. However, if you don’t have those colors – make something anyway! Nothing will be turned away! If you don’t like to knit or crochet – you can also finger crochet the flowers that will also be used in the project. Here, a smooth yarn works better than a furry one. Here is a video that shows you how to make one: How to Finger Crochet a Flower. Materials due August 10th.
A convenient drop box will be located inside the lobby of the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley. You may drop off your knitted piece Monday – Friday between 8:30am and 5pm.
Speaking of brilliant art this fall, don’t forget that in mid-September, the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival returns with another artistic burst of creativity with the latest edition of the event over the weekend of Sept. 17-18.