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

IN THE NEWS
From the Truckee Cultural District

DARK SKIES
Photo Contest Awards Reception

Join us for the 2025 Dark Skies Photo Contest Awards Reception, hosted by Town of Truckee, Truckee Cultural District, Nevada County Arts Council and Nevada City at the Tahoe Forest Hospital’s Multispecialty Clinic.

This year’s contest, held in partnership with Nevada City, drew an impressive 138 photo submissions showcasing the wonder of our night skies. Professional photography judges selected the top 40 finalists, which then went on to community voting.

Now it’s time to celebrate with an evening dedicated to the photographers who captured the magic of the stars above us on Friday, September 12 from 6:30 - 8:30pm.

The Business of Art
Professional Development Symposium

Calling all artists, aspiring creative professionals, and creative entrepreneurs! Later this month Nevada County Arts Council hosts a uniquely immersive experience in the Sierra Foothills on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 9:00am - 4:00pm pst at Sierra College’s Grass Valley Campus. The full-day will feature inspiring keynotes, panels, hands-on sessions, and focus tracks for both emerging and established creatives—plus networking opportunities and a resources hub.

Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned professional, The Business of Art has something for you!

FUNDING + OPPORTUNITIES

Are you a Nevada County artist? Join the 2026 MUSE Artist Directory.

MUSE
Featured Story

SCENE & UNSEEN
Fall Events

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Priya Hutner

TCD: Tell us a bit about your professional journey as a writer and move to Tahoe.

Hutner: I moved to Truckee from Florida, where I lived on an ashram (spiritual community). It was during a time when my life had fallen apart. I broke up with my guru and my boyfriend in a short span of time, which prompted me to move west. When I arrived here, I had no idea how I would support myself. I loved to cook, and I loved to write. I started a catering business, The Seasoned Sage, taught yoga and breathwork, and began writing professionally.

I met Katherine Hill, the publisher of The Tahoe Weekly (now the Tahoe Guide), who hired me as the food and entertainment editor for the publication. I wrote about the culinary arts, restaurants, music, and the outdoors. This work led me to meet wonderful people in the community. As the arts and culture editor for the Tahoe Guide, I continue to explore the intersection between community and creativity. I also write for several regional publications.

TCD: Can you share the Truckee Literary Festival origins? Another event is on the horizon for October 10-11 and you’ve already announced the dates for 2026 on April 11.

Hutner: While writing for the Tahoe Guide, Katherine Hill and I discussed creating a community event to celebrate the literary arts. We wanted something that celebrated the rich, diverse literary community, and The Tahoe Literary Festival was born. This event gave birth to the Truckee Literary Crawl held in the spring. Both events showcase our vibrant, creative, and artistic community in the Tahoe region. Through the grassroots efforts of a handful of people, we aim to highlight the creative literary community through workshops, panels, and programs. The Tahoe Literary Festival seeks to curate world-class literary events where community, connection, and the written word become an enduring bridge between people, place, and culture.

The 2nd Annual event will be held on October 10-11 in Tahoe City. This year's Festival features New York Times bestselling authors Katy Hays and Jill Shalvis, who will discuss the inspiration behind their wildly successful novels and their creative processes. Bestselling humorist and nature writer Michael Branch, along with Poet Laureates Karen Terrey, Jesse James Zeigler, and Moira Magnessen, and over 80 authors, poets, publishers, and songwriters, will participate. The festival features a free community open mic, author readings, workshops, panels, presentations, and a singer-songwriter showcase. There are free and ticketed events. | tahoelitfest.com

TCD: You have a book coming out soon, when can we look forward to seeing it?

Hutner: Chasing Nirvana: A Seeker’s Story of Love, Loss, and Liberation is set to release on March 3, 2026 (Published by She Writes Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster). The story chronicles my journey growing up in a spiritual community and my search for enlightenment. The deeply personal story reveals my deep desire to be enlightened, and my struggle to break free from the community and the charismatic female guru from Brooklyn I had devoted my life to. Both a spiritual adventure story and a cautionary tale, the book offers a powerful reflection on the perils of blind faith and freeing oneself from the bondage of belief. Pre-orders are available now at priyahutner.com and through Word After Word Bookstore in Truckee. Follow Priya on Instagram @priyahutner

TCD: What are you most inspired by right now and what is on the horizon for you?

Hutner: I’m inspired by the intersection of creativity, storytelling, nature, and the human spirit. Amidst all the chaos in the world, I strive to remain centered, present, and live in a place of love and kindness. I believe it is essential to uplift others, and I hope to do so through my writing, cooking, community involvement, and friendships.

Next on the horizon: I am seeking a home for my current project and looking to publish The Tarot of Cooking —a tarot deck and cookbook that invites readers on a mystical culinary journey. I also look forward to teaching more workshops, expanding the Tahoe Literary Festival, and, of course, continuing to write and embrace the themes that guide me: connection, kindness, community, and finding joy and gratitude in the everyday magic that surrounds me.

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