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Featuring the events, stories, and people of our community ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
Welcome to Culture ConnectionGrass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District's newsletter,
featuring the events, stories, and people of our community
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Creatives Meetup
with Wolf Craft School
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Join us for the April Creatives Meetup with Wolf Craft School at their studio in The Tinnery. Meet with owners and visionaries, Leslie Barbazette and Jay Morgan, hear about their plans for the Wolf Craft campus, meet with local creatives and enjoy weaving bookmarks as we celebrate Arts, Culture & Creativity Month and National Poetry Month! Thursday, April 3
5:00-7:00pm
205 York Street
Nevada City |
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Culture Forward
Nevada County’s Arts and Culture Action Plan Listening Sessions
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Nevada County Arts Council and our two California Cultural Districts are creating a countywide Arts and Culture Action Plan—Culture Foward, to shape the future of arts, culture and creativity throughout Nevada County, California. Join a Grass Valley-Nevada City Listening Session on April 30 and May 1 to share your voice and help shape the future of art and culture locally. |
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9th Annual
Sierra Poetry Festival
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SPF Fringe -
Upcoming EventsThursday, April 3 - Five Nevada County Women Poets at The Miners Foundry Sunday, April 6 - Music and Poetry with QUANTUM at North Columbia Schoolhouse Wednesday, April 9 - Poem in Your Pocket Day at Madelyn Helling Library Wednesday, April 9 - Wild Writing with Sands Hall at Nevada City Picture Framing Take me to the fringe… |
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The 2nd Annual
Open Mic Poetry Slam LotteryThursday, April 10, 5:00pm Iron Door at Holbrooke Hotel
212 W Main Street, Grass Valley Do you have a poem to share? Do you want the opportunity to read it from the Main Stage at the 9th Annual Sierra Poetry Festival? Bring your poetic musings (no longer than 3 minutes) to the Iron Door. The top three readers of the night are invited to read their work from the stage on Saturday, April 12 as part of Community Voices. Host: zsa’lai
Judges: Nevada County Poet Laureate Karen Terrey, Poet Laureate Emerita Kirsten Casey, and Clay Stockton |
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All day at
The Center for the Arts
in Grass Valley
Doors open at 8:30amWith workshops, performances, community voices and meaningful conversations on this year’s theme of Hope & History, the 9th Annual Sierra Poetry Festival is a day full of connection, inspiration and joy. Keynote speaker Kim Addonizio reflects on Hope, Uncertainty, and Creativity: Notes on Living and Writing Check out the schedule |
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Students and veterans are free, discounts for members, everyone is welcome!
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Artist Spotlight
Lani Zila
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We took a moment with teaching artist and resident at Artists Studio in the Foothills (ASiF) Lani Zila as she prepares for her spring course offerings at the local artists collective. |
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GVNC: What is your medium? Zila: I am a multidisciplinary artist working primarily in ceramics, painting, printmaking, and mixed media. Whenever possible, I incorporate recycled materials into my work, adding layers of sustainability and meaning to my creative process.
GVNC: At what point in your life did you realize your calling? Zila: From a young age, I knew I wanted to be an artist, inspired by watching my grandfather in his studio. After college, I went through a period where I wasn’t creating much, but an opportunity to work with a nonprofit organization reignited my passion. Teaching and inspiring young minds through art helped me reconnect with my own creativity, leading me back to a full-time artistic career.
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GVNC: Tell us about your creative process. Zila: My creative process varies depending on the medium. When painting or printmaking, I typically begin with a concept or sketch, allowing the piece to evolve from there. With ceramics, the process is more intuitive—I let the clay guide me, shaping organic forms that emerge naturally. This hands-on, fluid approach often results in unexpected and dynamic creations.
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GVNC: What inspires you? Zila: Nature is central to my practice, serving as both subject and muse. Its diversity, complexity, and beauty guide my artistic vision. I am particularly drawn to themes of biophilia—the deep, innate bond between humans and the natural world—seeking to highlight our place within the ecosystem rather than apart from it. Recently, the ocean and underwater life have become dominant subjects in my work. I am fascinated by the intricate structures of coral, the fluid movement of aquatic life, and the delicate balance of these ecosystems. Through my art, I strive to capture the interconnectedness of all living things and encourage a deeper appreciation for the world around us.
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GVNC: What are you most proud of? Zila: I’m especially proud of my work with the Artists in Schools program. It has given me the opportunity to help shape the next generation of artists and free thinkers, fostering creativity and self-expression in young students.
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GVNC: What do you love best about our creative community? Zila: I love the diversity of artistic expression in our community. From visual artists to poets, musicians, and dancers, there is such a rich variety of creative voices, each contributing something unique and inspiring.
GVNC: Name two Nevada County artists you admire and why. Zila: I admire Claudia Jeffers, a ceramic sculptor who creates compelling narrative portraits. She has been an incredible mentor and a close friend, and I deeply cherish our artistic connection. I also admire Denise Wey, whose dedication to her craft and contributions to the local art scene have made her a pillar of our creative community.
GVNC: What’s coming up for you? |
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Zila: This summer, I’m excited to curate ASIF Studios’ Student and Teacher Showcase, as well as host a series of summer camps at the studio. This year, I’ll be participating in the Open Studios Tour for the first time, which I’m really looking forward to! |
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Arts & Culture
Events for Everyone
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Community Gathering & Potluck!Friday, April 4, 5:00 - 6:30pm Unitarian Universalist
Community of the Mountains
246 South Church Street, Grass Valley The first three months of this year have been difficult for many in our community. Yet, in the face of these challenges, we’ve seen incredible organizing and solidarity to support one another. Now, it’s time to come together. This gathering will be a space to: 🌱 Acknowledge the work happening in support of all community members.💡 Discuss how Color Me Human can continue to respond to urgent and emerging community needs.
🎉 Celebrate the unity and diversity that strengthen us. This is a potluck event, so if you’re able, please bring a dish to share. But most importantly—bring yourself. |
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Celebration for Library Card Design WinnersThursday, April 10, 4:00-5:00pm Grass Valley Library
207 Mill Street, Grass Valley The Nevada County Library is excited to unveil the winners of its Library Card Design Contest, a community-wide initiative that invited artists of all ages to create original designs under the theme "Libraries Are for Everyone." With more than 200 submissions, the contest showcased the remarkable creativity of Nevada County residents. Attendees can explore an art gallery featuring the contest entries, meet the winning artists, and take part in hands-on activities, including making personalized library card holders and buttons featuring their favorite designs. |
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Where the Mountain Meets the MoonOpening Gala
Saturday, April 19 Performances
Thursday, April 17 - Saturday, May 10 Nevada Theatre
401 Broad Street, Nevada City This enchanting and magical story of gratitude is unveiled by mystical creatures, like a dragon, a goldfish, numerous animal puppets, and The Man of the Moon, taking the audience on a cultural epic journey of discovery and artistry in ancient China. The show promises to be a “feast for the senses” with lavish costumes and original music. Tickets |
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New Works from
Fieldmouse Press
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Fieldmouse Press is proud to announce a pre-sale campaign for their Winter 2025 season. This season features five beautiful graphic novels about hard truths, big lies, hidden crises, and the dark depths of the human heart. Come join in what Fieldmouse Press is calling their “festival of nihilism.” The five books, featuring new works by established and new cartoonists, are now available for pre-order on the Crowdfundr platform. |
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Of the 2025 Winter season, Fieldmouse Press’ executive editor, Rob Clough, says, "These books feature pitch-black humor and heartfelt emotions… I am extraordinarily proud of these books and excited for people to read them.” |
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Gold Country On CameraOpening Dates of Photo Exhibit:
April 3 - 29, 6:00am - 11:00pm Opening Reception:
April 5, 5:30 - 7:30pm Courtyard Suites
210 N Auburn St, Grass Valley Nevada County Camera Club’s exhibit “Gold Country on Camera - A Photo Challenge” will be on display at the Courtyard Suites. This exhibit includes photographs of western Nevada County that were taken during one week in February. “The purpose of this annual photo challenge is to encourage club members to expand the creativity in their photography, post processing and presentation of their artwork. This exhibit is fun not only for the photographers but viewers as well, as the photographs often incorporate fantasy, 3D or other special effects in the finished work. This is one of the most creative exhibits of the year,” said Mike Oitzman, President of the Nevada County Camera Club. Learn more about the Nevada City Camera Club… |
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Open Studioshas extended their application deadline to Friday, April 4! |
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Seven Stars GallerySeeking submissions for their June, 2025 Youth Arts Black & White Photography Show Open for submissions from artists ages 10-23 years |
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Open Auditions for Musical GuestsAre you a musician who loves to inspire, uplift, and move people with your music? Sierra Center for Spiritual Living is inviting passionate artists of all genres to audition for a chance to share their gifts with their inclusive, spiritual-but-not-religious community. Auditions: April 15, 6:00 - 8:00pm Learn more! |
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Interested in learning more about the goings on in our sister cultural district? Sign up to receive the Truckee Turntable.
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Our mailing address is: Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District
PO Box 1833
Nevada City, CA 95959-1833
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