Let’s Get Creative

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR again when we celebrate the abundant creative talent in Marin. And boy oh boy was it hard to narrow down. We look for artists across a variety of platforms and mediums with diverse backgrounds and innovative visions and above all, those who are risk-takers. And we did not come up empty-handed — far from it. There are so many talented people in our community doing incredible things that I have to remind myself, there is always another issue — we don’t have to stuff everyone into this one (so stay tuned, we have many more inspiring stories to tell!). This month we speak to wildly successful creators including a photographer, a furniture designer, a ceramicist, a fashion designer, a documentary maker and a choreographer as well as interior designers and musicians — we even highlight a disruptive new platform for visual artists. I’m getting excited just telling you about it! While we spotlight pioneering businesses every month in our “Game Changers” column (one of my favorites), I have to admit, I love getting geeky with the creatives. I hope you enjoy getting to know these artists as much as we have.

With summer just around the corner, we are all starting to think about where to travel, right? And well, of course we have some ideas to get your planning juices flowing. For my monthly travel feature, I ventured a little farther than usual and it was well worth the drive. Two nights in Carmel (one in Carmel-by-the-Sea and one in Carmel Valley) felt like a real vacation where the sun felt a little warmer, things moved a little slower and it proved to be a much-needed respite. The white sand reminded me of growing up on the East Coast and I have been dreaming about the saunas and plunge pools at Refuge in Carmel Valley for weeks now. It reflects so much of what I love about California — a short drive and you feel like you have traveled much, much farther. Speaking of traveling, we also head back to Hawaii this month. There is always so much going on in the Aloha State that it is a pleasure to revisit the destination again and again. So many of your favorite hotels have gotten a face-lift and there is an all-new spot from a beloved luxury brand that you will definitely want to check out.

People always ask me if I am worried that we are going to run out of content — and the answer is the thought literally never crosses my mind. Our community is full of creative thinkers, entrepreneurs, change makers and trendsetters and they are tireless in their endeavors. Long may it last!

Casey Gillespie Creative Director and Co-Founder

News by Caitlin Hamer

Spring in Marin

As spring blooms in Marin, there are plenty of reasons to stay local. Marin Open Studios (www.marinopenstudios.org) is back for selfguided tours of artists’ studios throughout the county on May 6, 7, 13 and 14. The Marin Open Studios Preview Gallery at the new Sausalito Center for the Arts will be open daily until May 14 with a sample of each artist’s work. Mountain Play (www.mountain play.org) begins its 110th season at Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre in Mount Tamalpais State Park this month with a production of Into the Woods. Performances are on May 21 and 28 and June 4, 10, 11 and 18. Wrap up the month on May 28 with the 49th Annual Muir Beach Volunteer Firemen’s Barbecue (www.muirbeachfire.com), which promises food, drinks and fun. The festive afternoon of fundraising will be held at Santos Meadow.

Powering Up

Three schools in the Tamalpais Union High School District are set to receive steel solar canopies with electric-vehicle charging hookups. The $9.7 million project breaks ground at Archie Williams, Tamalpais and Redwood this summer and is expected to be finished by early next year.