Welcome to Culture Connection

Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District's newsletter,
featuring the events, stories, and people of our community

Ekphrastic Fantastic:
Art-Inspired Poetry Opening Reception

Friday, April 3, 5:00-7:00pm
ASiF, 940 Idaho Maryland Road, Grass Valley

Bear Yuba Land Trust presents
Poetry on Preserves

Saturday, April 4, 10:00am-12:00pm
Wildflower Ridge Preserve

Book Launch Reading & Celebration:
Weight of Water

Saturday, April 4, 5:00pm
Nevada City Winery, 321 Spring Street, Nevada City

Voices and Verses

Thursday, April 9, 6:00-8:00pm
Clover Café, 13623 Rices Crossing, Oregon House

“On the Verge” A Poetic Exploration,
Visual Artists and Dancers Collaborate

Friday, April 10, 5:30-7:30pm
Nevada City Winery, 321 Spring Street, Nevada City

Book Launch for Molly Fisk's novel-in-verse
Walking Wheel

Wednesday, April 15, 7:00-8:30pm
Madelyn Helling Library, 980 Helling Way, Nevada City

Poetry Open Mic Slam

Thursday, April 16, Sign ups begin at 5:30pm
Iron Door Speakeasy at the Holbrooke Hotel, 212 W Main Street, Grass Valley

Media Lounge

Friday, April 17, 5:00pm
Nevada City Winery, 321 Spring Street, Nevada City

GVNC: What is your medium?

Burdette: Ceramic sculpture is my primary medium, though I also work in printmaking, oil painting, and mixed media. I enjoy moving between processes each one brings different textures, marks, and possibilities that feed my sculptural work.

GVNC: At what point in your life did you realize your calling?

Burdette: Art has always been the place where I can quiet my mind. Over time it shifted from a refuge into a necessity. My creative practice is what makes me feel whole and centered.

GVNC: Tell us about your creative process?

Burdette: I often begin with animal references, combining features until a critter emerges; sometimes the form arrives on its own. The piece truly comes alive when I experiment with facial expressions, gestures, and props those choices give the character personality and help me tell a story.

GVNC: What inspires you?

Burdette: I draw inspiration from emotions, animals, characters, texture, color, nature, and humor. Each critter exists to tell a story and to spark an emotional response in the viewer.

GVNC: What are you most proud of?

Burdette: I carved a 5 foot by 4 foot block print, which was a technical and physical challenge. My husband drove it across three states for the Emerge Ink Print Rally, where I flew in to print alongside other artists using a steamroller which was an unforgettable, joyful experience.

GVNC: What do you love best about our creative community?

Burdette: I love the variety of mediums and the mutual support across disciplines. Living in a mountain town that offers so much creative energy and frequent events feels like a daily gift.

GVNC: Name two Nevada County artists you admire and why.

Burdette: Jori Jori — a multi‑talented artist whose dedication and range are inspiring. Glenn Husted — his vast knowledge of ceramics and generous teaching at ISACC have been invaluable to the community.

Burdette: With support from your grant, I’ve decided to give the critters away to the community as part of the crawl to encourage people to visit downtown, support local shops, and experience joyful art in public spaces. 

I designed the 3 entry options to be hands off for businesses and accessibility. The critter will be in the window and next to it will be a poster explaining how to enter a raffle to win. Participants either tag, email a receipt or scan a QR code.

The participating shops for the Ceramic Critter Crawl are: Wonder Docent, Harmony Books, Heathered Yarn Co., Moms&Minis, Clock Tower Records, and Make Local Habit.

Each critter was designed to embody the spirit of the shop. 

Follow me on instagram @kjbcritters!

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Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District
PO Box 1833
Nevada City, CA 95959-1833