Read along monthly as we celebrate creativity, local events, shared stories, opportunities and artist spotlights.

IN THE NEWS
From the Truckee Cultural District

Photo: Muse 2025 Launch Party, Court Leve

February is a time to celebrate creativity and heritage, marking National Embroidery Month, and Black History Month.

As we honor Black History Month, we acknowledge the immeasurable contributions of Black artists, musicians, writers, and creatives who have shaped and influenced arts and culture. From the Harlem Renaissance to contemporary voices in visual and performing arts, Black creativity is woven into the fabric of American culture. Take time this month to explore Black artists' work, whether through books, music, film, or exhibits, and reflect on their lasting impact. A good listen is NPR interview with Atlanta, GA based chairmaker Robell Awake on his new book "A Short History of Black Craft in Ten Objects."

And for those with a love for fiber arts, National Embroidery Month is the perfect time to pick up a needle and thread! Whether you’re interested in embroidery, knitting, crochet, or quilting, Atelier in downtown Truckee is stocked with everything you need to start a new project or refresh your supplies. Looking to learn a new skill? The Truckee Roundhouse offers workshops in textiles, including quilting, sewing, and crochet, providing a space for creativity and craftsmanship to flourish.

Exciting news for local arts lovers—MUSE, the local guide to arts and culture, is out now with the 2025 edition!

ARTISTS@WORK!
Opening Receptions & Creatives Meetup

Artists@Work! is coming to the Steve Randall Community Rec Center with a special opening reception on Thursday, February 20, from 5:00–7:00pm. This exhibit showcases the work of Upstate Creative Corps artists, celebrating the impact of a two-year initiative led by Nevada County Arts Council to support 80 grantees across 19 Northern California counties. As the Administering Organization for this program, the council successfully regranted $3.4 million in collaboration with county arts agencies, bringing creative opportunities to some of the region’s least represented communities. In addition to the exhibit, the February Creatives Meetup with Truckee Arts Alliance will take place during the opening, making it the perfect opportunity to connect with local artists and celebrate the power of the arts. Take a moment to read the Impact Report and watch the four films created documenting and celebrating the process.

Artists@Work!: Opening Reception

February 20, 2025 | 5:00 – 7:00pm

Community Rec Center

10981 Truckee Way

CULTURE FORWARD
An Arts & Culture Action Plan
for Nevada County

Nevada County Arts Council, along with the Truckee Cultural District and Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District, is developing a county-wide Arts & Culture Action Plan—and we need your input! Your voice is essential in shaping the future of arts, culture, and creativity across both eastern and western Nevada County. Please take a few minutes to complete our anonymous survey and support this important community initiative. Whether you're a visitor, local, artist, or business owner, your perspective matters. Let’s build a vibrant creative future together!
Take the survey below.

TRUCKEE’S DARK SKIES
Let’s keep looking up, Truckee!

January’s dry spell may not have brought much snow, but it did give us crystal-clear winter skies—perfect for stargazing. With Jupiter, Venus, and Mars continuing to shine bright through February, there are plenty of chances to soak in the magic of Truckee’s Dark Skies. While we’re hoping for some well-deserved snowfall, we encourage you to take advantage of these stellar opportunities this month:

🔹 Lighting Rebates Reminder – Help preserve our dark skies by upgrading to dark-sky-friendly lighting.
🔹 Tahoe Snowshoe Stargazing Tour – Explore the cosmos on a guided tour with Tahoe Star Tours. Learn more
🔹 Twilight Snowshoe Tours at Northstar Nordic Center – February 8, 15, & 22. A perfect blend of adventure and astronomy.
🔹 Read: "We Came From the Stars" – A fascinating look at our cosmic origins, featured in Moonshine Ink. Read here

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Loren McCormac

TCD: You’ve had such a dynamic theater career, both acting and directing! What do you love most about being involved in theater, and what keeps you coming back to the stage?

McCormac: The stage is the one place in my life I can truly let go and play. I forget about everything in “real life “ and am complete in the moment. It’s my healthy escape. 

TCD: As a member of the TCT Board of Directors, what excites you most about being part of the leadership team? Any goals or visions you have for the theater community?

McCormac: I love that TCT gives a creative and safe space for all the local theater kids, no matter what age! With the lack of theater programs in schools, having TCT there for them is so important. I hope that TCT will have the funding needed to keep providing amazing theater experience on and off stage for both adults and children. 

TCD: You’re directing Sylvia for TCT—what drew you to this play, and what makes it a unique experience for audiences?

McCormac: Sylvia is a very clever, funny, and heart touching adult play about a dog. It’s non-conventional and I don’t think the audience will expect the twist. I think the audience will fall in love with Sylvia the way the cast and I have. Speaking of the cast, they are amazing and really throw themselves into their characters. I also love that this play can be done very minimally in almost a black box theater experience. This style of theater is a bit more intimate for the actors and audience and can be done on a smaller budget, which is a win for a small community theater that has to constantly hit the pavement asking for funding. Shameless plug, Sylvia opens May 10-18 2025, don’t miss it! 

TCD: With your background in both acting and directing, how does that influence your approach to working with a cast? Do you have a favorite part of the directing process?

McCormac: I’m an acting director, so I see the show from the actors eye more than a director and producers eye. Performing is my greatest passion, and helping others in the performance process is such a sacred task I have been given as a director. I enjoy helping my actors find their true characters and have the freedom to try things many different ways. As an actor/ director I have to try hard to not give line readings and let the actors find their ties to the characters emotions, movements, and voice so that they have a fully developed character and a performance that shines. When it all comes together in the end and the actors, crew, and audience all have an enjoyable and memorable time, that is pure gold and the end goal. 

TCD: Theater and the performing arts play such an important role in small towns like Truckee. How do you see community theater enriching the town, and how would you love to see it grow in the future?

McCormac: Theater and the arts are so important in any town and especially in a small town where the lack of diversity and art is screaming. The theater and the arts is a safe outlet for expression and in the end can change the world for the better. Truckee is such a sports heavy town that without the theater and the arts, our creative community will have no outlet and nowhere to perform. The friendships I have created throughout the theater community are deep and now I have 2 families, my family and my chosen theater family! If you ask any theater kid or adult, they will say the same, the theater is our family. 

TCD: Theater can be both hilarious and deeply emotional. Do you have a favorite memory from your time on stage or behind the scenes that still makes you smile?

McCormac: My very favorite part of the theater is that it is live, which can lead to mistakes and technique issues on stage. Oh man, when actors skip 10 pages in a script during a performance and they have to figure out how to save themselves, it’s pure magic! Or when your heel gets caught in your leotard skirt while singing and dancing in a show and you are literally hopping around on one leg till you can fix, just for your heel to get stuck in the curtain 30 seconds later which makes you slip out and nearly fall. That is pure joy! The theater stories. The next time you meet a “ theater kid” ask them what their best on stage performance blooper is. It’s the in-real-time, funniest home videos! 

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU!
Free Artist Headshots!

Kick off the New Year with a fresh look with Piper J Gallery and Truckee Cultural District. New Year - New You! will offer FREE headshots for artists from photographer Jeff Freeman.

• Location: Piper J Gallery

• Date: Sunday, February 9

• Time: 1:00 – 5:00pm

• Portrait Photographer: Jeff Freeman 

This exclusive opportunity to update your headshots for 2025 is FREE for Truckee Cultural District Artists who:

• Live or work in Truckee

• Are NCAC Members

• Are listed in the Artist Directory

• Subscribe to the Truckee Turntable Newsletter

Not signed up yet? No problem! Contact kellie@nevadacountyarts.org. Stay tuned for full details in the February Turntable News and on Truckee Cultural District’s social media channels.

SCENE & UNSEEN
February Events

Stay connected with local event calendars and community boards for the latest updates on exhibitions, performances, and gatherings. Our favorite resources include: Truckee.com, Visit Truckee-Tahoe, 101.5 KTKE and the Nevada County Arts Council.

FOR ALL THOSE WITH EVENTS TO PROMOTE, DON'T FORGET TO ADD YOUR EVENT TO NEVADA COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL'S COMMUNITY ARTS CALENDAR—IT'S FREE AND EASY TO USE!

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