Neighborhood Center of the Arts
200 Litton Dr. # 212
Grass Valley, CA 95959
530.272.7287
Office Hours:
M – F | 9A – 2P
Gallery & Studio Hours:
M – F | 9A – 2:30P
Artists
Alan Krueger
Multimedia Artist and Painter
Alan is always seeking adventure. From travel and tales to heckling friends, he always finds a way to make an ordinary moment, extraordinary. His artwork is equally as adventurous, bold, fun and outstanding | 2017 – present
Andre DesJardins
Multimedia Artist, Community Program Member, Photographer & Painter
Andre is an enthusiastic explorer, a lover of hiking, nature and fresh tasty foods. His inspiration is mainly generated by his passion for the outdoors. Many subjects of his paintings include the ocean, the forest, mountains and rivers | 2015 – present
Bailey Riley
Multimedia, Performance Artist & Potter
Not only talented with her hands, Bailey is precocious, imaginative and purely expressive. From the stage to the clay room, Bailey plays the part she feels with grace and grit | 2017 – Present
Chad Hanson
Woodworker & Multimedia Artist
Chad is content freely dancing, offering gracious hellos and enjoying most fruit refreshments. He is extremely polite and creates his energetic art using the whole color spectrum | 2005 – present
Christina Swart
Painter, Potter and Multimedia Artist
Christina appreciates a creative challenge. She is not afraid to spend months working towards completing a desired artwork. With tempting inspiration and the right mediums, Christina can also create rich artwork in little to no time | 2008 – present
Cindy Benson
Multimedia & Digital Artist, Weaver, Potter, Jewelry Designer
Cindy ambitiously creates vibrant art with purpose. She exclusively creates things you can wear or use in daily life. Her jewelry and weaving designs are progressive yet display a vintage class only found in hand made artwork. Cindy is an attentive and vocal member of NCA’s social fabric | 2005 – present
Dan Boling
Multimedia Artist & Musician
Dan is a realist, guitarist, avid reader, basketball enthusiast, fine conversationalist and fan of the truth | 2013 – present
Dan Wheeler
Potter, Fine Artist & Found Object Sculptor
Dan has the unique skill of making comprehendible art from just about anything; folk stories and new tales, riddles, myths, jokes, clay, paper, plastic, wire, spare parts, jokes, jokes and more jokes | 2013 – present
Faith Del Re
Multimedia Artist & Potter
Faith is a reserved but friendly abstract artist with pop art influences. She can most likely be found laughing, making art or taking care of her pals at NCA | 2015 – present
Mike Bump
Multimedia Artist
If you have ever attended a Nutcracker performance, you may have met Mike. Mike is a huge fan and collector of anything Nutcracker. His art is often inspired by this production. | 2015 – present
James Del Campo
Painter, Digital Artist & Photographer
James is a matter-of-fact artist and world traveler who adores raunchy comedy and social philosophy. He started photography in 2018 and has had great success capturing the world at just the right moment. He has a successful job outside of NCA but still attends studio to continue his creative journey | 2010 – present
Jane Fraser
Videographer
Jane is a kind and genuine as they come. Jane uses her creativity to come up with plot, prop and musical ideas for current and upcoming videography projects | 2018 – present
Jessie Sterling
Multimedia & Performing Artist
Jessie uses select sounds and body language to express herself in and out of performing arts. She loves music, friendly people, dancing and energetic colors | 2004 – present
Jesus Pozos
Painter, Potter & Culinary Artist
Jesus is an affectionate, peaceful prankster with uptown style. Forthright with a firm high five and tailored hug, Jesus is gentle, precise and attentive with a paint brush or modeling tool | 2016 – present
Jim McKenzie
Illustrator, Singer & Fine Artist
Jim is a lover of people and music. Since joining the studio he has produced several pronounced portraits of admired musical artists. Jim has a sure hand and fastidious style | 2018 – present
Justin Larsen
Multimedia Artist & Garden Business Class Member
Justin is a bold and hardy gentleman who is as helpful as he is enthusiastic. Justin merges mediums to create illustrated tales funky enough to rival a costume party hosted by Piat Mondrian, Tim Burton and fashion icon Iris Apfel | 2016 – present
Derek Frazier
Potter & Weaver
Derek is enthusiastic, eclectic kind and absolutely in love with color. His goal is to use the whole spectrum in his weavings. His work is bright, filled with excitement and personality like its creator | 2022 – present
Kayla Larsen
Weaver, Illustrator & Fashion Designer
Kayla is a busy bee; Between working in the studio, keeping up with current fashion trends and making sure everyone’s birthday card is signed she also has time to succeed at bowling, keeping social and having fun | 2007 – present
Krystal Lawrence
Photographer, Video Producer & Digital Artist
Though she joined us not long ago, we have already observed Krystal successfully understanding and applying new skills in the studio. A quick learner, she is also contagiously friendly and tenaciously upbeat | 2018 – present
Laura Goetz
Illustrator & Graphic Designer
Laura is a sweet and enthusiastic multimedia illustrator. Her style is so unique and subjective that viewing her artwork is almost like engaging in a riddle | 2015 – present
Lisa Brown
Illustrator, Painter & Performing Artist
Lisa is a jovial artist whose work feels like a mix of expressionism and action illustration. Like her personality, her art is full of bubbles, brilliant colors and resembles a party. Lisa is tenacious but friendly and always willing to exhibit her strengths | 2005 present
Mason Lindsay
Multimedia & Digital Artist
Mason is a creative and fun loving, jokester. His art is inspired by folk tales, science fiction and fantasy. Mason brings a lot of joy with him to NCA. He is a steady social support within our community | 2011 – present
Matthew Albin
Painter & Performing Artist
Matt is a joyful and animated artist. His layered and haunting paintings are only eclipsed by his wild and keen personality. In addition to painting, Matt plays harmonica, dances, sings, collects jokes and gets a kick out of fun accessories | 2011 – present
Natalie Nowak
Multimedia Artist & Painter
Natalie is a sweet and adventurous artist. Her artwork in most mediums is best described as linear. Whether creating vibrant bouquets of flowers or a forest of trees containing all the fractured colors of light, Nat is always willing to share her work with a friend | 2002 – present
Paul Melching
Multimedia Artist, Weaver, Wood Worker & Found Object Sculptor
Paul is a friend to many and a stranger to none. Though he’s been a familiar face here at NCA since the beginning, he is constantly challenging those around him with jokes, creative techniques and out of this world ideas |1988 – present
Robert Lee
Multimedia, Woodworker, Potter & Painter
Robert is a cool and reserved creator of semi abstract sculptures, drawings and paintings. Inspired by New Orleans culture and music, his artistic style has such familiarity it lures onlookers a bit deeper | 2008 – present
Shanna James
Multimedia Artist, Potter, Wood Worker & Weaver
With a hardy personality and robust artistic style, Shanna has over the years created a colossal body of dynamic artwork. She currently has a successful job outside of the studio, but still attends weaving to create brilliance with us once a week | 1993 – present
Shianeda DeJaniero
Multimedia Artist & Painter
Shianeda is a force of creative sport. When not painting, Shianeda loves coming up with narratives for a team competition and will ask those that make the cut to sign up. A real razzer, Shianeda’s personality is the key to a lot of happy friends here at NCA | 2014 – present
Spencer McClay
Potter, Photographer & Weaver
Spencer is a bit of a legend at NCA and in Nevada County. He creates unique textile weavings in our studios, volunteers all over the region, is a member of the Knights of Columbus and a spirited potter, photographer and music lover | 1988 – present
Stephanie Dardon
Painter, Potter & Multimedia Artist
Stephanie is a fountain of good vibes, creativity and optimistic spirit. Her artwork mirrors a junction of zoology field notes and glamorous fantasy. Stephanie has an exquisite collection of work and displays a great example of kindness to her peers here at NCA | 2015 – present
Tyler Dodd
Illustrator
Tyler seems like one of those strong and silent types but once you get him talking it’s quick to see that he is a vibrant and talented young man. Tyler creates immaculate pencil illustrations by combining portraits of his favorite people, super heroes, cartoon characters and animals | 2017 – present
Patrick Scudero
Multimedia Artist & Painter
Patrick is a detailed expressionist painter and multimedia cinema fan, recreating immensely popular and obscure images with the same amount of passion. Patrick has a big sense of humor but is quite serious about his work | 2007 – present
Wesley James
Multimedia Artist & Painter, Wood Worker & Community Program Member
Capturing the world with comic character style of the American dream with a side of Picasso, Wesley is an old soul. He is the sultan of social swat, with goofball buddy insults for his pals. He is also the king of folk furniture. Wesley is a deeply diverse artist and a “don’t stop believing” sort of friend | 1991 – present
Portraits taken by NCA Director, Amee Medeiros & retired NCA Photography Instructor, Miranda Goodman
Become an NCA Studio Artist
Eligibility: If you live in Nevada County and are an adult with a developmental disability funded through Alta California Regional Center, you may apply to be a studio artist at Neighborhood Center of the Arts. Artists joining our studio come from diverse backgrounds and have a wide range of experience and ability.
Entrance Criteria/Intake Process: Come visit us or call your Alta worker to set up a tour. If you feel like NCA is a good fit fill out an intake packet (currently IPP, evaluations, annual review and previous home and program information). Then make an appointment so we can meet with you and your parent/care provider or support team.
The NCA Art Program is a 1:7 ratio, one instructor to seven artists. This program is designed for artists who can work independently and are self driven.
The NCA Miguel Quesada Program is a 1:4 ratio, one instructor to four artists. This program is designed for clients who need more assistance with direction and/or behavior management as well as classes that require more assistance and safety instruction.
Self Care: Artists that require minimal to no assistance caring for their hygienic needs are welcome to attend. NCA cannot accommodate those who require a Hoyer lift and/or changing table at this time. Anyone that requires partial assistance with his/her hygienic needs–including toileting and/or changing of adult undergarments–is welcome to apply to the program. The intake application as well as the referral packet from Alta California Regional Center will then be reviewed by NCA’s intake team and evaluated for our program.
Behavioral Characteristics: Although NCA is not a Behavioral Management program, the program model and philosophy are designed to offer the potential for success to all . If someone with a history of and/or the potential to act out during program wants to attend NCA, they will be given the opportunity to do so based on our ability to provide the necessary supports to minimize the likelihood that they will act out towards self or others. Their intake application as well as their referral packet from Alta California Regional Center will be reviewed by NCA’s intake team and evaluated for our program.
Full Time vs Part Time: NCA’s program model is designed for full time enrollment however, consumers who would like to attend NCA on a part time basis are welcome to do so.