Art in Public Spaces exhibition Lavender Glow | Queer Art & Our Shared History

Nevada City, CA—May 18, 2026: Nevada County Arts & Culture and the County of Nevada announce Lavender Glow | Queer Art & Our Shared History, at the Government Center in Nevada City. The public is invited to attend the Opening Reception on Friday, June 12 at 4:30pm. 

Lavender Glow is a two-part exhibition presenting Nevada County’s queer history alongside 2D and 3D art in a variety of mediums from local LGBTQ+ artists. Guided by Queer community advisory and artwork selection committees, the latest Art in Public Spaces exhibition is a collaboration between Nevada County Arts & Culture and Nevada County Pride, coinciding with LGBTQ+ Pride Month in June. Partial funding for this project provided by Fund for the City of New York on behalf of its fiscally sponsored project, the NYC LGBTQ Historic Sites Project. 

Beginning with Nisenan history into the present day, Lavender Glow reflects on, and celebrates, the lived experiences and legacies of queer individuals and groups whose collective influence demonstrates a profound investment in place, arts, and culture. Alongside highlights of local history, Lavender Glow features 40 artworks selected from 127 submissions. 

Featured artists: CJ Cavet, Indigo Zo, James Chester, Karle deProsse, Schuyler Ellers, D. Fritz, Eric Gorman, Hannah Heron, Kathleen Hill, Jonathon Hinojosa, Jori Jori, Peter A. Mason, Amee Medeiros (Prickly Pear), Baylee Reed Smith, Aubrey Sayre, John Sciarrilli, Slutzville, Willow Starduster, Adeline Wood, Chad Wood, Leslie Wood. 

Through careful curation and collaboration with a variety of community members, Lavender Glow takes a deep dive into lesser-known stories, from Nisenan cultural practices into present day. As well, it highlights our local Pride Month events in both eastern and western Nevada County—for a full calendar of June events, be sure to check out Nevada County Pride and Truckee Pride websites: nevadacountypride.org and truckeepride.org. 

Art in Public Spaces is a program of the County of Nevada and Nevada County Arts & Culture that aims to provide a thoughtful space for all residents of Nevada County and lend civic pride, express community values, heighten our awareness, and help us question our assumptions through art. All artwork is displayed at the Government Center, making it available to all Nevada County residents, free of charge. 

For more information on Lavender Glow | Queer Art & Our Shared History, visit nevadacountyarts.org/art-in-public-spaces.