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NEVADA COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL Welcome to Culture Connection Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District's newsletter, featuring the events, stories, and people of our community Introducing Nevada County’s
Welcome to Culture ConnectionGrass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District's newsletter,
featuring the events, stories, and people of our community
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Introducing Nevada County’s new Poet Laureate - Karen Terrey!
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Nevada County Arts Council announces the selection of Nevada County’s new Poet Laureate, Karen Terrey! From Truckee, Terrey has been an active member of our literary scene on both sides of the county—from her recent work with senior citizens at the Truckee Library to her frequent appearances with Sierra Poetry Festival—Terrey has been bringing the healing power of words to the Nevada County community for nearly two decades. Terrey’s business is literary, literally! You can read more of her writing, learn about workshops and community events and her work as a literary coach/editor at Tangled Roots Writing.
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GVNC: At what point in your life did you realize your calling? Terrey: I began keeping a journal in middle school and my favorite afternoon activity was reading a book in a big chair in my living room. Making the commitment to an MFA program at Goddard in 2005 was a turning point for how I prioritized my writing life.
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GVNC: Tell us about your creative process. Terrey: My process feels slow and inefficient often. But sometimes I find myself on a roll and I’ll write a small batch of poems at once. When I revise, sometimes one poem becomes two or three, or a connected series. I try to get my mind to a place where I can quickly and remotely associate images and thoughts on the page, a place where I can surprise myself. John Cage describes this process for me when he writes, "I am trying to check my habits of seeing, to counter them for the sake of greater freshness. I am trying to be unfamiliar with what I'm doing." Another revision technique I like to use is rewriting a piece in a different form – taking a free verse poem and translating it into a short personal essay as well as a sonnet.
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GVNC: What inspires you? Terrey: Walking in nature with my dog is probably where I find much of my inspiration. I read a lot and that process helps my mind loosen up its way of thinking. Hanging out with other artists motivates me to keep writing. Curiosity is an inspiration too. I’m curious in the questions. How do I relate to the people I will never meet? What’s my responsibility to the neighbor down the street I don’t really know? We live by social agreements and assumptions, some spoken, some unspoken, about how life is or should be or will never be. For me, poetry can break open these interactions, can challenge and renegotiate, can uncover the unfamiliar within the familiar.
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GVNC: What do you love best about our creative community? Terrey: I love how our creative community supports each other. In a gathering of artists, one can feel welcomed simply as they are. In some way Muriel Rukeyser captures this sense for me here: “this is your land, take this road into your own country.”
GVNC: What are you most proud of? Terrey: I’m incredibly honored to be the next Poet Laureate of Nevada County. I’ve been reading, among other poets, Gwendolyn Brooks, as this is Black History Month. She wrote, “I am interested in telling my particular truth as I have seen it.” I am trying to speak my truth on the page and to live by a truth that makes other people’s lives better. This seems like a life-long practice. If I can bring the power of poetry to the lives of others here in Nevada County, in a manner that brings them closer to their own truths, I’ll feel good.
GVNC: Name two Nevada county artists you admire and why. Terrey: I’m filling some big shoes after Kirsten Casey took on this role for the past several years. I admire her dedication to the students she works with and what she contributes through Poetry in the Schools for the community. There are many artists I admire! I watched Michealyn’s aerial/literary arts show last year and admired her imagination to create such a collaboration. I admire Michael Clarity for his perseverance to reaching for what’s new in his art. I admire Julie Valin for writing poetry to embrace aliens!
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GVNC: What’s coming up for you? Terrey: On March 4th at Alibi in Truckee is the Passing of the Laurels event, where Kirsten Casey and I will share some poems and have a conversation about the role of Poet Laureate. Immediately following is a community open mic for anyone who has a poem to share. I’m also really looking forward to the Truckee Literary Crawl on April 5th and the Sierra Poetry Festival on April 12th!
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Wild & Scenic Art Exhibition
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Each year Nevada County Arts Council, in partnership with the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, is thrilled to present the Wild & Scenic Art Exhibition and Contest. A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the 14th annual visual component of the Film Festival – your incredible artwork is what makes it all possible.
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Winners of the 2025 Wild & Scenic Art Exhibition - on display at the Granucci Gallery through Saturday, March 1. Photography Award - Boundless, Donner Summit, CA by Barbara McCabe
Three-Dimensional Award - Puck by Deborah Bridges
Two-Dimensional Award - Theresa's Choice: The Path of Many Befores by Linda Galusha Best of Theme Award - In a Purple Universe by Jennifer Rugge
Judge Award (Christine Koppes) - A walk around Hirschman's 3 by Stepanie Sobierski Judge Award (Mira Clark) - She's Shed Again by Maile McGrew-Frede
Judge Award - Forest Boat (Cheri Awalt) - Maru Hoeber
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We are grateful to the staff and volunteers of Wild & Scenic each year for their incredible work and dedication in bringing our community to life during the winter months — showcasing the wonderful films, panels and youth workshops that inspire us to advocate for our environment. Congratulations Wild & Scenic for another amazing festival!
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CULTURE FORWARD
An Arts & Culture Action Plan
for Nevada County
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Nevada County Arts Council, along with the Truckee Cultural District and Grass Valley-Nevada County 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! |
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Open Mic ShowcaseWednesday, February 19
7:00 – 9:00pm The Center for the Arts
314 W Main Street, Grass Valley The Nevada County Open Mic Showcase is a carefully curated showcase, juried by a discerning group of local musicians with the singular goal of bringing the areas' wealth of local talent to the Main Stage at the Center for the Arts. Providing the performers the opportunity to perform at a world class venue and providing our community with an opportunity to support local talent and have a great time doing it! Learn More |
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Nevada City Chinese Lunar New Year Parade and FestivalSunday, February 23
12:00 – 4:30pm Downtown Nevada City The Nevada City Chinese Lunar New Year Festival and Parade welcomes the Year of the Snake! Community Asian Theatre of the Sierra, along with the Miners Foundry Cultural Center, is proud to present this family-friendly celebration, honoring the early Chinese Gold Rush pioneers and railroad workers of the Sierra. Nevada County was once home to thousands of Chinese during the Gold Rush, and this event honors their legacy. The community parade begins at 12:00 noon at the Robinson Plaza on Union Street and goes up Commercial Street — the site of the old Chinese Quarter — making a left turn down Broad Street, and a right turn at Bonanza Market. The parade concludes at Spring Street where the Lions and Dragon dancing will take place immediately following the parade. After their outdoor performance, more entertainment will take place at the Miners Foundry, for an afternoon of fun for the whole family! Free admission. Learn More |
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Cast Hope presents The International Fly Fishing Film FestivalSaturday, February 22, 7:00pm Nevada Theatre
410 Broad Street, Nevada City The International Fly Fishing Film Festival consists of premium films produced by professional filmmakers from all corners of the globe and showcases the passion, lifestyle, and culture of fly fishing. It is the gathering place of the fly-fishing community and a celebration of friendship, stories and stoke. Get Tickets |
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The Foundry Sings
Dylan & Friends!Wednesday, February 26
Doors open 5:30pm | Singing begins 6:00 - 8:00pm Miners Foundry
325 Spring Street, Nevada City The rafters of the 160 year old Stone Hall at the Miners Foundry Cultural Center will ring with the songs of Bob Dylan & Friends! Rod Baggett, choral conductor at Nevada Union High School along with vocalist Robbie Merchant will lead voices unified in song. Learn More |
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Mardi Gras Parade & Street FairSaturday, March 1
2:00 – 4:00pm Downtown Nevada City This annual family-friendly event features a festive parade and street fair throughout historic downtown Nevada City, offering up spirited fun for all ages. |
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St. Piran's Day CelebrationSaturday, March 1
9:30 – 11:30am Grass Valley City Hall Parking Lot St. Piran's Day Pasty Toss is a fun, family-friendly tradition honoring the Grass Valley/Cornish connection. Watch as Grass Valley's civil servants challenge Nevada City's for a friendly Pasty Tossing competition and so much more! |
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March Creatives MeetupThursday, March 6
5:00 - 7:00pm North Star House
12075 Auburn Rd, Grass Valley Join the GVNC and Nevada County Arts Council for their monthly Cratives Meetup! The March meetup takes place at the iconic North Star House, designed by architect Julia Morgan, in Grass Valley. |
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Sierra Poetry FestivalAll Day, Saturday, April 12 The Center for the Arts
314 W Main St, Grass Valley Attended by some of our most exciting local, national, and international poets and performers, in the midst of a month-long POP-UP FRINGE POETRY FESTIVAL, taking place in venues across Nevada County and beyond. |
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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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Copyright © 2025 Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District, All rights reserved.
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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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