Nevada County Arts presents Truckee Open Art Studios Tour on July 15-17, 22-24

THE ARTS AND CULTURE SCENE IS BOOMING in Truckee, adding a new dimension to its stature as a world-class destination for outdoor recreation.

Besides music festivals and wine and food tastings, the Sierra mountain town is host to first-rate art galleries such as Art Obsessions, Carmel Gallery and Riverside Studios, among others.

Truckee and the region also are home to acclaimed artists. Examples include artist and designer Marcio Decker, who has had exhibits in New York City; Randall Strauss, a painter and member of the National Watercolor Society; and photographer Abe Blair, whose clients have ranged from Patagonia to Powder magazine. SYRCL selected Jude Bischoff’s artwork, featured at Truckee’s Spirit Gallery, as the poster art for their 2015 Wild & Scenic Film Festival.

The town’s artists hold influential regional roles too. Fine art photographer Elizabeth Carmel, a former land use planner, is a governing board member of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. Her prints have been displayed at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C.

This summer, Truckee is upgrading its signature art event—the 2nd annual Truckee Open Art Studios Tour (TOAST), presented by the Nevada County Arts Council July 15-17 and July 22-24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Truckee Open Art Studios Tour features 28 professional artists on a self-guided driving tour through Truckee’s neighborhoods, with all studios located within 10 minutes of downtown Truckee.

The artists featured on the tour represent the spectrum of visual art: painters, sculptors, woodworkers and multi media artists.

“As presenter, our interest is to support Truckee’s local arts community and, through TOAST, help to grow a cohesive visual arts scene in collaboration with local businesses and public agencies,” says Eliza Tudor, Nevada County Arts Council executive director.

“Seeing artists thrive is hugely interesting to us—and how to make it happen is a priority. Plus, these artists are great. This is exciting work and a magical environment.”

TOAST encourages day trippers and overnight visitors to travel to Truckee to experience first hand the quality of fine art and fine craft in the area, says Artistic Director Carla Beebe, an enthusiastic local arts leader, jewelry artist and spouse of Tom Beebe, a talented woodworker.

The event also inspires Truckee-Tahoe residents to venture out on an annual exploration of local art studios. “TOAST offers the rare experience of not only viewing art but being in the environment where art is created and experiencing the inspiration that drives each artist,” says Carla.

Along with galleries, the show also features “pop-up” spaces that showcase the art such as California 89, Design Bar, Engle & Völkers, Unique Boutique and Mane Attraction Hair & Beauty Salon.

The tour also features 15 art workshops. Topics include acrylic and watercolor painting, mixed media, culinary, woodworking and more. The work-shops are at The Painted Vine, Tom Beebe Fine Woodworking & Craft School, Atelier and Dark Horse Coffee Roasters.

Creative Tourism

TOAST aims to offer work-shops that foster connections with local culture, a growing trend known as “creative tourism.”

Examples include cultural workshops, classes from local experts or self-guided expeditions—all while traveling. More people, including millennials, are interested in traveling in pursuit of their favorite interests or activities.

TOAST also includes some one-of-a-kind experiences. On July 15, from 6-9 p.m., Trails & Vistas, the Cedar House Sport Hotel and Stella restaurant present “Taste and Listen.” The five-course meal is choreographed to live music for a unique dining experience.

On July 30, TOAST also features a gallery and museum tour from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. It is an all-day tour of Truckee’s fine art galleries and the Jail House Museum. Visitors can meet with curators of each space, visit current exhibits and meet featured artists.

The galleries include Atelier, Bespoke, Carmel Gallery, Decker Fine Arts, Ellu Gallery, Gallery 5830’, Indigo, JoAnne’s Stained Glass, Lorien Powers Studio Jewelry, Riverside Art Studios and The Bolam Gallery. The Jail House Museum is featuring artworks made by Truckee residents from 1976 to 1980.

TOAST’s signature sponsors include Greg Boyle and Nathan Riedel, global advisers at Engel & Völkers and Tom Beebe Fine Woodworking & Craft School. For more information visit TOAST’s Facebook page and CreativeTruckee.org.

(“Plein Air Forest Bear” by Jude Bischoff, an artist at A TOAST to Truckee’s Creative Community)

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