ArtCar Fest is an all-volunteer, artist-run event. Founded by Philo Northrup & Harrod Blank 14 years ago, and is directed by Emily Duffy - all of whom are ArtCar artists. Harrod & Philo started their first ArtCars in the early 1980s, but did not meet until 1992. Philo and Harrod collaborated on several ArtCar caravans across the country, and in 1997 decided that California needed its own festival to exhibit ArtCars. Emily joined in 1997 with her now famous Mondrian Mobile. Harrod has published three books and directed three documentary films on the subject. His publications are considered standard references on the medium, and he has founded a museum dedicated to ArtCars in Arizona called Art Car World.