Rail Arts District (RAD)
Napa, CA

Napa's new cultural corridor

Creating a new scenic route.

In June of 2014, members of the Napa Valley Vine Trail Arts, Culture and Education (ACE) committee began exploring how they could improve the user experience on a two-mile, semi-industrial stretch of Napa’s rail and bike corridor.

A radical vision.

Believing in the generative nature of public art and the potential of this neglected corner of the city, we partnered with the Napa Valley Vine Trail to bring momentum and financial support to the burgeoning Rail Arts District. Christened “RAD Napa,” the district installed its first mural in January 2017 with a radical vision to catalyze community dialogue, thriving commerce and civic pride through investment in and stewardship of a dedicated public art district in Napa.

Placemaking at its finest.

RAD boasts 11 murals and nine utility box arts wraps from local, regional and international artists, and counting. Our goal is to blanket the District with more than 100 installations. Why? Because we believe that the best way to improve a community is to invite artists to imagine a radically different future. This isn’t minor beautification. It’s placemaking at its finest.

RADNapa.org