Louise Young and Susie Bennett helped fuel the day"s efforts by providing a
rib-sticking delicious lunch of meatball sandwiches, potato salad and cupcakes
for the hard-working team. To get ready for the big floor day, Bill Rockett
helped John Wooller rolled the final color coats on the walls. Diane and Bob
Mackel and Marilyn Hoffman have taken on the bathroom painting and decoration.
Plumas Arts became the owners of the historical Capitol Saloon when they had the
winning bid at a foreclosure auction in September of 2011. Members have made
annual donations, attended fundraisers, and responded to "A Place of Our
Own" for the last 25 years as Plumas Arts board and staff worked on plans to
save for a building to serve as a cultural arts center.
With limited funds, it was decided that the most important initial investment
that needed to be made in the refurbishing process was a new floor. "It was
like an archeological dig getting down to what remained of the original
floor" there were eight layers of floor and underlayment" comments Roxanne
Valladao, Director of Plumas Arts. "And no, there was no gold dust or nuggets
under the floor" only dirt. (We get asked that question all the time.)"
A year-end solicitation to Plumas Arts members and friends brought in enough to
cover the cost of the floor and paint. Donations made in memory of Howard
Heyden funded the cost of a new heater. Feather River College"s SIFE
(Students in Free Enterprise) group won a grant from the Lowe"s Educational
Foundation that will cover the cost of gallery lighting.
Funds will help to build the kitchen and the creation of structures for gallery
display. Tax-deductible donations are still being gratefully accepted. You can
donate online at or mail a check to Plumas Arts, P.O. Box 600, Quincy, CA 95971
As Valladao photo-documented the floor installation, "I kept finding myself
alternating between tearing up and cracking my face with a smile as I was
watching this all unfold before me. It is one thing to have dreams and work
towards them. It is quite another to see those dreams come to life before your
very eyes."
This is not the first sweat equity endeavor spearheaded by Plumas Arts. The
30-year old community cultural organization also manages the Town Hall Theatre
and has organized massive volunteer efforts for renovations in that facility in
1987 and once again in 2003.
"I have been fortunate in this job to be part of community efforts to take
care of a couple of our historic buildings"because we have always had far
more in the way of human resources than financial means. Bringing together so
many good people to do this king of team effort is a glorious thing to be a
part of" makes you know for sure that you are very lucky to have landed in
this wonderful place."
There is no place like home. And now Plumas Arts will have one. Plumas Arts is a
member-supported organization. Find out how you can become a member online at
plumasarts.org or call 283-3402.
Plumas Arts plans to have a "soft opening" of the new building on May 4th as
part of the Downtown Quincy Art Walk. On that night Plumas Arts will be honored
to open an exhibition of work by internationally renowned photographer, Carr
Clifton. A very grand opening will follow in Summer once the organization has
had a bit more time to occupy the new space.
