SIERRA COUNTY — County arts agencies across California’s Upstate Region, led by the Nevada County Arts Council, announce $3.38 million in grant awards to 27 partner agencies and 54 lead creative partners, with a total of 1,010 artists and culture bearers supporting initiatives serving California’s least represented peoples, and most vulnerable communities and environments. Nevada County Arts Council was the organization that administered the Upstate region. Sierra County Arts Council was the local administering organization that oversaw three projects that were awarded to serve our communities. This program was a jobs creation program that employed artists across the Northern California region.

“The Headwaters Stained-Glass Window” project was created by the artist Marjorie Voorhees of the Walker River Paiute out of Schurz, NV. She was born in Loyalton and grew up here in Sattley, on the west end of the Sierra Valley. Her project celebrates the landscape and wildlife of the Sierra Valley in an original stained-glass window installation at the Old School House in Loyalton, the new cultural center of Musica Sierra. The installation celebration event will be held on Saturday, May 25, from 3–5 p.m. in Loyalton. Information for the event at www.musicasierra.org and on the project at www.sierracountyartscouncil.org

“Sierra Buttes and Lakes Basin: Protecting the Sierra one Place at a Time” is a project of the Sierra County Land Trust, which partnered with 13 local artists and writers to create a book of writings, photography, history, and art celebrating our beautiful Sierra Buttes and Lakes Basin. The book release and art exhibition are to be held on Sunday, June 9, at 1 p.m. at the North Yuba River Hall in Downieville and continuing from 1–3 p.m. until June 16. Information at www.sierracountyartscouncil.org and www.sierracountylandtrust.org

“Climate Country Radio” is a multi-county project by Northern Californian country-folk troubadour Rita Hosking, who has created a set of short, fun “public service songs.” The theme is climate change, adaptation, and mitigation. Keep an ear out to hear her music on your local radio stations, including KVMR. Rita will also be performing with her husband Sean Feder at the North Yuba River Hall on Saturday, June 22, at 4 p.m. Information at www.ritahosking.com and www.sierracountyartscouncil.org

The Arts Council was also pleased to present Corinne West’s original music project, “Transformations in Song,” performance at the North Yuba River Hall over Mother’s Day weekend. Corinne’s Upstate Creative Corps project was in partnership with Plumas Rural Services as a recovery response to the Dixie Fire and the impact of fire on rural Sierra mountain communities. Information www.corinnewest.com

The Arts Council offers a big thank you to the many organizations and artists who contributed to the Sierra County Upstate Creative Corps program. The Upstate Creative Corps program is funded by the California Arts Council. Sierra County Arts Council is a state-local partner of the California Arts Council. Information on all the projects at www.sierracountyartscouncil.org and www.upstatecreativecorps.org.