If you recently heard the popping of champagne bottles coming from Mare Island, it was not the ghost of past shipyard christening ceremonies. 

October 2015 marked Mare Island’s Packagingarts’, 20^th year in business. The company celebrated the event right where it has been located for the last 15 years—in a Commander’s Quarters on Historic Officer’s row. Over 200 clients, business partners and staff attended a laid-back and samba-inducing, tropical-themed party, “Welcome to The Island.” Highlights included music by The Harvest Band, catering from Alta Cuisine and mysteries from DANTE the magician. 

Dave Miller, principal and co-founder of Packagingarts, says their location on Mare Island has been an integral part of their success. It seems the same applies to their new affiliated company, Affinity Creative Group – doubling it’s business in two years located in another historic officer’s mansion on Walnut Avenue. The two firms employ approximately 25 employees.  

“We decided to hold our anniversary celebration right here at our headquarters on Mare Island because it has contributed significantly to our identity. The mansions and the island have a certain mystique and our clients love coming to the big beautiful homes we call our offices and studios,” Miller said. His business partner and President of Packagingarts, John Swain, remarked, “This location has become very important for us – not only for its unique history, but practically speaking, it is conveniently close to Napa, Sonoma and North Coast cities and towns, where many of our clients are located.” 

Packagingarts serves clients in the wine, spirits, beer and other categories, developing in-store promotional programs, compelling retail displays and unique point of sale materials and packaging.  Through its wholly owned subsidiary agency, Affinity Creative Group, the company offers new product development, new brand name & identity creation, and labeling/packaging design systems for wine, spirits and beer producers.

More information can be found at www.packagingarts.com and www.affinitycreative.com