Your connection to Truckee’s vibrant mountain community. Read along monthly as we celebrate creativity, local events, shared stories, opportunities and artist spotlights.

CULTIVATING CREATIVITY
September Creatives Meetup

Join us on Friday, September 27, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Truckee Roundhouse! This month, you'll have the chance to meet the Truckee Arts Alliance's new Program Coordinator and participate in a craft session hosted by the Roundhouse.

Creatives Meetups play a role in nurturing our local creative ecosystem. These gatherings help cultivate ideas, spark new collaborations, and promote the arts in Truckee. Stay tuned for details and locations for future meetups, announced monthly in the Truckee Turntable and on our social media channels. Please note that meetups are subject to change.

Creatives Meetup

Friday, September 27

5:30-7:30pm

Truckee Roundhouse

12116 Chandelle Way, Suite E3

IN THE NEWS
Supporting Local Artists

This summer, the Truckee Cultural District hosted a booth at six downtown Truckee Thursday events representing local artists (visual and literary) and a teen-led nonprofit. Truckee Thursdays is a prime community engagement and marketing opportunity for local creatives with up to 3,000 local residents and regional cultural tourists in attendance each week. In addition to artists promoting their latest work, we distributed over 100 copies of the MUSE and educated festival attendees about Nevada County Arts Council programs and services. Thank you to Kioki Mwitiki, The Aspen Collective, Emmalyn Marie, Sara Smith, Eric Bevel, Karen Terrey and Priya Hutner for showing up this summer as part of the fabric of the Truckee Cultural District!

The Truckee Thursdays booth space was provided in partnership with Truckee Downtown Merchants Association (TDMA) and Truckee Chamber of Commerce.

SCENE & UNSEEN
September Events

Summer may be coming to a close in Truckee, but the arts and events scene is still buzzing.  Add these upcoming events to your calendar:

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!

FUNDING & OPPORTUNITIES
Call to Artists & Nominations

Call to Student Artists: Art at the Airport - A STEAM Exhibit

Truckee Cultural District and the Truckee Tahoe Airport District are seeking student artists' works for the October - January Art at the Airport Exhibition.  This is a STEAM exhibit; work can include a variety of art forms and mediums that explore the connection between the humanities and science.

Considering work submitted by Monday, September 30 in standard sizes. Please contact Molly Moore at (775) 354-8337 or mollyzoekevin@gmail.com.

Nevada County Poet Laureate —Nominations close October 1!

Nevada County Arts Council, in partnership with the Nevada County Library, invites the public to submit nominations and self-nominations for the position of Nevada County Poet Laureate! The new Poet Laureate will be announced at the 9th Annual Sierra Poetry Festival on April 5, 2025.

As an ambassador for poetry, the Poet Laureate will lend agency and voice for poets of all ages, and nurture valuation for poetry as a means of creative expression. The next Poet Laureate is asked to envision and implement a meaningful community project that extends the length of their term, reaching communities who may not have previously experienced poetry.

Nominations are due to Nevada County Arts Council via our online submission forms by 5pm on October 1, 2024. Visit the Nevada County Arts Council submission page for the full list of criteria for nomination and more about the Poet Laureate Program.

Closing Soon: Juniper Award Nominations, The Jeff Hamilton Legacy Fund

The 2024 Juniper Awards nomination cycle for the Jeff Hamilton Legacy Fund closes on September 15th. Do you know a deserving nominee? Award categories include art, music and writing, trades, medical care, community impact and Olympics. Nominees must be at least 17 years old or a high school senior from the Tahoe-Truckee area.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Photojournalist Nicole Dreon

TCD: What inspired you to start your career in photojournalism, and how did you choose the stories you’ve covered?

DREON: I hold a degree in creative writing and began my career as a writer. Over time, I expanded into photography, drawn by the depth it added to my narratives and the unique form of artistic expression it offered. Whether through words, photos, or videos, storytelling has always been my passion. My camera has become an invaluable tool for exploring and understanding the world. In photojournalism, curiosity, inquiry, and active engagement are essential. While the subjects of my stories have evolved over time, one consistent theme remains: highlighting our shared humanity, regardless of nationality or religion.

TCD: Can you share a memorable experience from your travels that had a significant impact on you?

DREON: In 2010, I spent six months in East Africa, seeking out women athletes to interview and write about. I was driven by a desire to understand how the narratives of war, disease, and poverty were experienced and expressed through the voices of strong, resilient, and heroic female athletes. Those six months were incredibly enlightening. I learned to navigate a challenging region, gaining confidence as I mastered the logistics of local travel and border crossings. By the end of my journey, I felt capable of going anywhere.

Initially, I wasn't sure if I would find any women athletes at all, but I was pleasantly surprised by the diversity of sports in which they were involved. I discovered that women who played rugby were often doctors and lawyers, those who played basketball typically attended universities, and the girls who engaged in boxing and even kayaking came from incredibly tough backgrounds. I recall writing for a local newspaper in Kampala about a young runner's success story, emphasizing her humble beginnings. To my surprise, my editor informed me that her background was considered middle class, not humble by local standards.

One particularly poignant moment occurred during a visit to meet a women's soccer team in the Democratic Republic of Congo. When I asked the young girls what they dreamed of becoming, I found that the question didn’t even translate. One girl simply replied that she wanted to be a priest.

This experience was a period of immense personal growth and increased confidence for me. It was also the first time I began incorporating photography into my writing. Upon returning home, I delved deeper into photography, eager to continue my journey. The only question that remained was, “Where to next?”

TCD: How did the idea for She Guides come about, and what has been the most rewarding part of running this platform? What challenges have you faced as a solo female traveler, and how have you overcome them?

DREON: When I first began traveling alone as a woman, I often found myself staying in hostels or hotels where I felt anonymous. No one knew if I returned at night, and over time, this anonymity became quite lonely. To feel safer and more connected to the cities I visited, I started seeking out female hosts on platforms like Airbnb and Homestay. I would often hire these hosts, or another local woman, as a guide to show me around. 

During my stays, I would ask these women if I could interview them, and the conversations that followed—held in the comfort of their homes—became some of my most meaningful travel experiences. Staying with female hosts not only provided a sense of security but also ensured I was never lonely, as I was constantly forming new friendships. I had someone to connect with at the end of each day while still enjoying the freedom to explore on my own during the day.

One particularly memorable experience was in Tunisia, where I stayed with a local woman in the capital city of Tunis. During my visit, she not only gave me a tour of the city but also included me in dinners with her friends. Her guidance helped me understand the nuances of her country and religion, which was especially important as I was visiting during Ramadan. Exploring Tunisia on my own would have been challenging, but with her companionship, I felt comfortable and welcomed.

Another unforgettable experience was in Japan, where I ventured off the beaten path to find a woman who hosted guests in her home. Location wasn't my primary concern—I was more eager to get to know her. We communicated using Google Translate, and she graciously welcomed me into her daily life, taking me grocery shopping and allowing me to help in her kitchen. I am deeply grateful for that experience—it was far more enriching than any of the tourist destinations I visited in Japan.

She Guides is a blog that I hope will inspire other women travelers. It also includes contact information for the women I stayed with and hired as guides, enabling others to have similar experiences during their travels.

TCD: Tell us about your family and wedding photography business?

DREON: Wedding and family photography naturally complements the type of photography I pursue while traveling. I have a deep passion for capturing rituals, making wedding photography an ideal opportunity for spontaneous, documentary-style images. I also take great joy in creating lasting memories for families. My favorite shots are often the candid moments that occur after formal poses, as we transition to the next location. I prefer to work with a minimal setup to ensure that my gear doesn’t interfere with capturing these moments. My goal is to keep moving, allowing people to forget I'm there and letting authentic moments unfold naturally.

TCD: Do you have any upcoming projects or events you are particularly excited about?

DREON: Over the past year, I’ve had the unique opportunity to work with a travel company as a photography coach and lecturer. Teaching photography and preparing lectures have compelled me to deeply reflect on my approach to the craft. This experience has pushed me out of my professional comfort zone, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of sharing my expertise with others. I have a few upcoming trips with this company that I’m looking forward to over the next year in Japan, Africa and Europe.

Every fall, I also have the privilege of serving as one of the staff photographers for the Rebelle Rally, an all-women’s navigational event. Over the course of 10 days, we journey through some of the most remote areas of Nevada and California. I particularly enjoy uncovering the hidden gems, such as ghost towns and off-the-beaten-path locations, that exist right in our backyard.

Pictured below are stunning images Nicole has captured during her travels and work. For more visit nicoledreon.com.

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