By Laura Petersen and Nevada County
When community members walk into Nevada County’s government center to vote or pay their property taxes, they often find themselves in the middle of a public art installation.
Celebrating youth, art and community voices is a priority for the County more than ever and this dedication can be seen in partnerships with local schools and Nevada County Arts Council, from student art that has brightened the government center hallways every spring for decades to newer partnerships like the Art in Public Spaces program that began in 2023, bringing four exhibits per year to the government center lobby.
“The arts are central to Nevada County’s identity, culture, and economy. These partnerships give us the opportunity to showcase the incredible creators in our community while inviting new audiences into public buildings. With every new exhibit, I can’t wait to see the art go up on the walls,” said Nevada County Supervisor and Board Chair Heidi Hall.
The Art in Public Spaces Program has been championed by Hall, and in February, she proclaimed 2025 as the Year of the Youth, a commitment to listen, support and be inspired by our youth’s potential.
Young at Art - Celebrating March as Youth Art Month
Last week, teachers and art docents could be seen busily installing an exhibition of colorful paintings, masks, ceramics, self portraits, mixed media and photography from local students as part of the annual collaboration known as “Young at Art” with Nevada County Superintendent of Schools.
Young at Art is an annual celebration of the national program recognizing Youth Art Month. In 2024, nearly 1,500 student artworks from 12 Nevada County schools were displayed in the annual show at the government center.
Artwork from students in transitional kindergarten (preschool) through high school will be on display in this year’s show, and much of the creative designs are tied to lesson plans. Visitors will see Native American masks and yarn baskets, black and white silhouettes related to Martin Luther King Jr., ceramic dragons and illuminated letters dating back to medieval times and hand-drawn prints of California missions.
On Feb. 25, the Board of Supervisors proclaimed March as Youth Art Month. Supervisors showed appreciation for local teachers and administrators who are committed to keeping the arts alive and thriving in Nevada County.
"It really is a testament to the commitment that we have here to make the arts a priority,” said District 3 Supervisor Lisa Swarthout.
The Young at Art exhibition will kick off with an ice cream social at 3:30 p.m. on March 10, a popular gathering that drew 150 families last year.
“They get really excited. These kids are talented. It’s a snippet of the talent that exists in our county,” said Nancy Jackson, Continuous Improvement instructional specialist for English Language Arts & the Arts for Nevada County Superintendent of Schools.
This year’s county exhibition theme, “Healing Through Color” will be open to the public 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday March 3 until May 2 at the government center located at 950 Maidu Ave in Nevada City.
“We are thrilled to honor their work that (the students) are so proud of and we’re really grateful for the support and partnership with Nevada County. It takes a village to uplift and elevate what’s going on in our community,” said Jackson.
At last week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Nevada County Superintendent of Schools Scott Lay shared a presentation about the importance of art in the schools. For many students, art is their favorite part of the day and studies show that students who receive an arts education have higher levels of academic achievement, according to the presentation.
“I think art is that one space in the day, along with physical education, where students can let off some steam, be part of a group and a creative process,” said District 5 Supervisor Hardy Bullock.
Every year, students learn about math, science, social studies and literature through dance, theater arts, media arts, music and visual arts.
“Even kids who struggle with academics can access deep thinking through the arts,” said Jackson. She often uses language art and music to engage students and help them succeed. Her method is based on neuroscience research that shows that the arts can tap into a child’s unique abilities and their needs for self expression.
Why Art Matters - Art in Public Spaces
Since the partnership began, Art in Public Spaces has provided a thoughtful civic space of dialogue and collective community expression around shared values for Nevada County residents, according to the Nevada County Arts Council’s website.
“That’s the beauty of working with the County. So many people walk through the Rood Center… and they are usually so surprised and delighted by the art they find,” said Eliza Tudor, executive director of Nevada County Arts Council during an exhibition opening held at the government center in February.
Nevada County Executive Officer Alison Lehman saw the program as an opportunity to create government spaces that give people a sense of pride in their community and increase access to government. “It’s energizing to see our community welcoming each new exhibit. It's been a great opportunity for the County to use public space to highlight the artists, history and culture of our community while also beautifying the building,” she said.
The current exhibition, “We Are Not Strangers Here: African American Histories in Rural California” highlights the unknown and untold stories of Black farmers, ranchers and rural residents.
The exhibition is on display in the downstairs lobby of the government center through April 18, with three additional events continuing the discussion in March including a presentation and panel discussion, curatorial talk and a short film screening. Visit nevadacountyarts.org for more information.
Past exhibits in the Art in Public Spaces series have included: “Visibility Through Art Collection” with artwork from California Heritage Indigenous Research Project (CHIRP), “A Thousand Cranes: Celebrating 30 Years of Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra,” “Breathe in Sky | Project Wild Edges,” “Celebrating Disability Pride” with Neighborhood Center of the Arts and “Artists@Work!” celebrating Nevada County artists through Upstate California Creative Corps.
Nevada County Arts Council is a nonprofit organization designated by the Nevada County Board of Supervisors as the county’s State-Local Partner with the California Arts Council providing education, professional development and access to arts and cultural experiences for residents and visitors.
“As an umbrella agency, we share understandings, common values and fresh ideas in non-partisan ways…That is what art can do, help people find their voice, and explore the benefits of working with others in their communities,” said Tudor.
Learn more about Nevada County Arts Council: www.nevadacountyarts.org
Learn more about Art in Public Spaces: https://www.nevadacountyarts.org/art-in-public-spaces
Learn more about Young at Art: https://nevco.org/art/visual-arts/
Laura Petersen is a freelance writer living in Grass Valley. This is one of a series of articles written on behalf of Nevada County. She can be reached at laurapetersenmedia@gmail.com.