About the Gathering
A gathering for cultural democracy
The Great Valley Gathering is a festival of, by, and for the people of the Central Valley. Through traditional music, dance, crafts, foodways, native cultural practices, and community conversations, we will celebrate the living traditions of the Central Valley and the people who keep them alive.
For our inaugural gathering, our hope is to bring together our communities to celebrate the folk and traditional arts that live in our kitchens, in our fields, in our places of worship, on our stages, and around our tables. This gathering is designed to cultivate awareness, celebration, and dialogue across traditions and histories, so that we can weave an even stronger fabric of community for all of us.
Our logo
Our key art was created by Fresno-born artist Patricia Miya Wakida, linoleum block and letterpress artist.
Patricia maintains her own linoleum block and letterpress studio under the wasabi press imprint, frequently writing about Japanese American history and culture. To find more of her work, visit wasabipress.com and @wasabipress on Instagram.
Central themes
About ACTA
The Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA) promotes and supports ways for cultural traditions to thrive now and into the future. ACTA’s vision is for a culturally and racially equitable California. In an increasingly fractured society, ACTA plays a critical role in shaping a positive future for California and the nation where the unique value of every culture is respected, sustained, and appreciated. Through programs, services, and funding opportunities for the traditional arts, ACTA is weaving a more integrated, just, and empathetic social fabric with local, regional, national, and international impacts. Nationally, ACTA serves as a thought leader and innovator in the public folklore field through research, convenings, and advocacy.
Volunteer for the Festival!
We're looking for friendly, dependable, community-minded people who are excited to support the arts and cultural traditions of the Central Valley. Generous volunteers like you are essential to bringing this joyful celebration to life. Every volunteer will receive one food voucher for each 5-hour shift completed, plus a Great Valley Gathering t-shirt!
Thank you to our sponsors
