Christi Coffey earned a bachelor’s degree in Biodynamics. After completing an internship in Cardiac Rehabilitation she realized that field was missing something, one aspect of the heart that she was looking for. She began working in a program for people with unique abilities in a small town outside of Chico and later in another program in Massachusetts.

Her first round of working at NCA, between 2000-2007, was as an instructor, later added as an administrative assistant. She retuned to NCA in 2012 as Program Manager and has been enjoying this special place for the heart (and art) ever since.

Christi is also a fellow artist, repping the Nevada County found art sculpture circuit. Check out her sweet hand made robot companions. 

Kris has worn many hats over her years at NCA including interim executive director and board member. Her current position is lead staff for the weaving department. Her focus is on home textiles (rugs) and personal items such as scarves.

As an artist outside of NCA, Kris creates and markets her line of hand dyed silk abstracts. Her work is hung in both public and private collections around the world and can be seen on her website as well as Art Works Gallery, Grass Valley.

Laura is an avid horsewoman. During her early twenties she taught therapeutic horseback riding to intellectually disabled adults and children. Her love of horses and animals has driven her to pursue an understanding of animal psychology. Laura spent three years rescuing, protecting and rehabilitating owls and hawks with the Wildlife Rehab & Release Raptor team of Penn Valley. Laura strongly believes that all living things deserve to be treated with kindness and dignity.

At NCA Laura teaches Cooking, Visual Arts and Community Integration.

Laura takes groups out into the community twice a week. They volunteer, shop and learn social skills. She also conducts an Art Leisure studio where her clients paint and create collage.

Click here to learn more about Greg and the Moore Brothers.

Leroy Tully has over 25 years experience balancing life in the world of music and Special Education. He considers both to be integral to the healing arts. When he arrived at NCA in 2014 he discovered perfect kindness from those who have it mastered. He is currently learning Abstract Art from his students ‘who invite us into their beautiful world.

In other walks, Tully has been a dog father, graffiti artist, a long time roadie (stage technician / event support technician), a radio show host on KVMRx, long time guitarist and all ages care giver. 

Jayme Hardy’s journey as an artist began as soon as she could hold a pencil. A small town girl with a big town heart, she finds inspiration in the rough textures of urban decay juxtaposed with the vibrant hues of life (in ALL of its radical radiance). After graduating from Nevada Union High School  in 2001, she traveled to Italy as a member of the NUHS Chamber Choir, to sing the Mesa Da Requiem for 100th anniversary of the death of Guissepe Verdi: a life-changing experience she is proud of to this day. As an adult, she studied massage and currently holds over 875 hrs of education/training in a variety of bodywork disciplines, specializing in PTSD/trauma recovery for survivors of violence and combat veterans. In addition to nearly 15 years as a practicing CMT, she has a comprehensive background as a caregiver and medical technician in elder care, and specialized in ‘memory care’, activities, medication administration and treatment strategy.  As an instructor at NCA, she has benefitted tremendously from having such an eclectic background in behavior, healing and the Arts. She has the ability to offer a wide variety of mediums and techniques to the artists in the studio, as well as considerable experience in managing crisis and providing general care for a broad spectrum of physiological/psychological conditions.  Jayme considers it a privilege to cultivate, nurture and hold the space for our artists as they use creative self-expression to grow as artists and participating members of our beautiful community.

At the end of 2018, Lauren became the Online Media Coordinator for NCA, filling the shoes of Susan Porter. She also currently teaches Ceramics, Etsy Shop Management and Weaving at NCA studios three days a week.

Lauren says, “Remember not to worry. The truth is out there.”