Arts & Culture

Nevada County may have its roots in mining, but it also has a rich cultural tradition. Today there are hundreds of working artists here, including poets, writers, painters, sculptors, jewelers, photographers, actors, dancers, filmmakers, singers and musicians. And the talent is top-notch, including Pulitzer and Grammy award winners among the artists whose work will make you jaw drop. The county also features more than forty arts organizations to keep the creativity flowing.

As early as 1851, local theatres were attracting notables of the day to sing, act, dance and lecture. Still going strong is the Nevada Theatre, built in 1865. The area has also produced many talented performers, beginning with Emma Nevada who made her singing debut as a child in Nevada City around 1862 and later went on to become a world renowned opera singer. These days, musicians as diverse as Terry Riley and Marie Sioux call Nevada County home and live music is integral to the festivals and nightlife of our part of the Sierra foothills. For a taste of current county sounds, try the Pandora internet radio, Nevada County Mix or tune in to our non-profit community radio station, KVMR.
Mark Twain may have just visited and performed here but the county has always attracted exceptional resident writers and poets, such as Josiah Royce and Gary Snyder. Wallace Stegner set his Pulitzer-Prize-winning novel Angle of Repose in Grass Valley. And of course, Nevada County Gold Magazine is produced by current and former residents. Clearly, inspiration knows no bounds here. You'll find accomplished sculptors and painters and wonderful goldsmiths. We also have amazing musical performances and festivals such as those created by Music in the Mountains, InConcert Sierra, the Miners Foundry Cultural Center, the Center for the Arts, the Father's Day Bluegrass Festival and the World Music Festival. For cinema fans we have both the Wild and Scenic and Nevada City Film Festivals. Boredom should not be an issue while you are in Nevada County.

ARTISTS, GALLERIES AND MUSICAL ASSOCIATIONS

AIMEE TAYLOR HANDCRAFTED
163 Mill Street, Grass Valley (next to Del Oro Theater). A Gallery featuring local artists, designer jewelry, fine art photography, oil paintings, pottery/ceramics, woodturning Monday - Friday 10:30am - 5:30 pm, Sunday 11 -  4. (530) 274-3737

Asif's Artists' Studio in the Foothills
Nevada County Visual Arts Center. Gallery Featuring local artists, gifts, jewelery, prints, pottery, resident artists studios, fine art instruction. 940 Idaho Maryland Road, Grass Valley. 530-274-7000. Monday - Friday 10am- 5pm, Saturday 11am- 4pm. www.asifstudio.com

ACNC The Arts Collaborative of Nevada County
Nevada County's voice for art and artists. Multi-area, multi-website Arts & Events Calendar and Artist Registry. Advancing thecultural, social and economic life of our community. www.nevadacountyarts.org

Ben Franklin Crafts And Frames
"We make it easy, you make it fun!" 598 Sutton Way, Grass Valley CA 95945 9:00 - 8:00 Monday through Friday 9:00 - 6:00 Saturday and 10:00 - 6:00 Sunday Family Owned and Operated Since 1973. (530) 273-1348. www.benfranklin-crafts.com

The California Bluegrass Association
A California Non-Profit Corporation which was founded in 1975 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The CBA is dedicated to the furtherance of Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Gospel Music in California. Our Business Office: Larry Kuhn 177 Stoney Hill Drive Folsom, CA 95630 (916) 983-2275. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

CAPTURING EXPRESSIONS OF THE HEART
Wedding and Portrait Photography...Serving Northern California

Carmel Gallery
Great selection of gems, minerals & home décor items! 9940 Donner Pass Road, Located next to the Truckee Hotel, Truckee. Open Daily 11am- 5pm. (530) 582-0557. www.thecarmelgallery.com

The Center for the Arts
Building Community. Promoting the visual, literary and performing arts. Presenting a full calendar of performance and educational programs. Full service venue for artists, educators, community members, businesses and other non-profits to rent, exhibit, and perform. 314 W. Main St., Grass Valley. (530) 274-8384. www.thecenterforthearts.org

Community Asian Theatre (CATS)
Purrrrsuing excellence online... Gold Country Piano Institute a non-profit organization dedicated to instruction in classical piano music for students of all levels.

Lake Tahoe Music Festival
July 17-August 9, 2008 www.tahoemusic.org

Lakeside Gallery
Gifts, Art Supplies, Classes, Custom framing & Gallery 8636 N. Lake Blvd., Kings Beach, CA (530) 546-3135.www.lakesidegallery.com

The Louvre Fine Art Gallery
Limited Edition Prints & Original Art Superior Custom Framing Restoration of Old Paintings & Photographs 124 E. Main St., Downtown Grass Valley (530) 272-3733

Miner's Foundry
See our online calendar for art, music and crafts events. 325 Spring Street, Nevada City, CA 95959 (530) 265-5040 or fax (530) 265-5462

Movement Alliance
We are a non-profit modern/contemporary dance company. (530) 277-2046

Mowen Sculpture
Limited edition bronze and stone sculpture. (530) 265-8467

Mowen Solinsky Gallery
This Nevada City gallery features sculpture by John Moven and photography by Steve Solinsky, plus a sophisticated selection of contemporary work by national & regional artists including jewelry, painting, watercolor, pastel, glass, woodcraft, ceramics, photography and sculpture. (530) 265-4682

Music In the Mountains
Music in the Mountains is celebrating its 25th season of bringing classical music, Broadway & Jazz to the beautiful Sierra foothills. Box Office: 265-6124; Office: (530) 265-6173

Mustain Photography
Grass Valley, CA 95945 Phone: (530) 559-4033 www.mustainphotography.com

Nevada City Film Festival
Information: www.nevadacityfilmfestival.com

Nevada County Composers
New Music…Right Here, Right Now. (530) 478-0983. www.nccomposerscooperative.org

Nevada City Film Festival
Information: www.nevadacityfilmfestival.com

Nevada County Composers
New Music…Right Here, Right Now. (530) 478-0983. www.nccomposerscooperative.org

The Nevada County Performing Arts Guild
The Nevada County Performing Arts Guild (PAG) is an award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public, and especially children, in the performing arts. To accomplish that end, we produce full-scale theater productions with all-child casts. Off Broadstreet Nevada City's Most Unique Live Theatre Experience...

Neighborhood Center of the Arts
Since 1984, Neighborhood Center of the Arts has provided adults with developmental disabilities an opportunity to grow to the best of their abilities through the arts and community integration. Open to visitors 10am-4pm Monday through Friday. 200 Litton Dr Suite #212 Grass Valley, CA 95945. (530) 272-7287.

Sierra Stages
Sierra Stages enriches the cultural life of Nevada County by providing high quality, affordable and accessible performances for everyone. Our goal is to create an ongoing and viable community theater in the Grass Valley and Nevada City area. (530) 346-9926 Extension 3

Twin Cities Concert Association
Presents live classical performances of chamber music in an effort to keep small ensembles, string orchestras, and seldom heard classics alive and prospering. Artistically, we focus on the talents of quality local musicians and young upcoming performers on local and national levels.