Mill Valley Boasts Stellar Art Installation

MILL VALLEY — Halley’s Comet won’t be visible for another 40 years, but Marin County residents don’t have to wait nearly that long.

A representation of the celestial wonder built by a renowned San Francisco sculptor is on display in front of the Mill Valley Community Center.

The Mill Valley Arts Commission worked for over four years to secure Aristides Demetrios’ “Halley’s Comet” for installation. The commission paid a gallery $15,600 for the sculpture through funding from donations.

The Arts Commission said in a statement it hopes the installation will add interest and value to the community and become a valuable teaching tool for budding artists and astronomers.

“The vision for our sculpture program is to enhance our community while offering an opportunity to gain understanding and awareness of the visual arts and enjoyment of the outdoors,” Arts Commission Chair Coleen Bryne said in a statement.

“We feel this new sculpture will attract viewers and invite dialogue.”

Demetrios, 89, is an award-winning sculpture whose works appear at Stanford University and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, among other locations in the Bay Area and around the world.

City officials said “Halley’s Comet” is the culmination of Demetrious’ fascination with the celestial object that’s only visible from earth every 75 years or so.

Halley is considered a short-period comet, meaning it orbits the sun in 200 years or less – a cup of coffee in cosmic terms compared to long term comets that can take up to a million years to complete their solar orbit.

Arts Commissioner Sharon Valentino cited the Outdoor Art Club and the MV Chamber of Commerce and former Arts and Recreation Director Jenny Rogers for pivotal roles in bringing a sculpture that figures to give Mill Valley residents something to talk about for years to come.

“We want to thank all of the donors who made this possible,” Valentino said in a statement.

“Halley’s Comet” is located at the Mill Valley Community Center at 180 Camino Alto in Mill Valley, CA. There is ample free parking in the adjacent parking lot.