In late 2016 CHIRP created an art initiative called Visibility Through Art to raise the visibility of the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe. Visibility Through Art - Creating Community Conversations was the first event in 2017 as part of Nisenan Heritage Day. CHIRP engaged local artists to create artwork that authentically represented the Nisenan and their rich but nearly forgotten history here in Nevada County.

The second event in 2018, Visibility Through Art - Invisible No More, engaged the community again. Tens of hours were spent in conversation with the artists, talking about Nisenan history, Culture and People who once tended these landscapes before the coming of the gold rush. Local artist Mira Clark helped put the event together each year and so far, more than 20 local artists have participated, donating their time and art pieces back to CHIRP. The Tribe hopes that the pieces will one day hang in our own, locally based, Nisenan Cultural center.

I Am Still Here & Guardians of the Dance

In 2018, the artist group included Jenny Hale and her piece “I am Still Here” featuring a Nisenan dancer superimposed over an image of 1864 Nevada City. After the Nisenan Heritage Day art event was over, the piece was displayed publicly during Victorian Christmas and Wild and Scenic Film Festival in the window of Asylum Down. Jenny saw the opportunity to raise visibility for the Tribe by creating more public art; and with the help of local business owner and friend, Eileen Jorgenson, they set out to help make it happen. 

Covert and Hale partnered closely to create a dynamic work that was authentic and reflective of Shelly’s deep desire to show the community the beauty of Nisenan Culture. Hale’s work with “light” led to the creation of large, backlit pieces that are especially lovely at night.

When asked to talk about the process Shelly said,

“Jenny felt like my paintbrush. She took our many conversations and translated them onto paper. My dance belt is featured in the piece “Guardians of the Dance” that was displayed at the Oustomah Lodge (Oddfellows Hall) and my image was used as the model. But when the faces were done, I could see my daughter, my aunts and my mom reflecting back at me. It was a true collaboration.”

There may have been a bit of “cosmic alignment” having the art displayed in the lodge named after the original Nisenan town name ‘ustomah which sits under today’s modern-day town of Nevada City.

Visibility Through Art & Cultural-Sensitivity 

The pair continuously navigated the sensitive and real topics of cultural appropriation, privilege and erasure.

“Giving a non-native artist permission to paint something of such cultural importance was a constant struggle and is not to be seen as a “pass” for others to do the same.

A Native artist recently asked me how my consent for this project might affect her and other Native artists who fight to keep cultural content in their own hands. And, while I don’t have an easy answer, I do see the importance of making it clear; this was a very special collaboration and it would not have worked without the Tribal Council having final say to the details of the pieces. The collaboration with Jenny Hale was absolutely crucial for the beauty of the work. She was open every step of the way to my many critiques, ideas and worries.

In the end, the artworks absolutely further CHIRP’s mission: to preserve, protect and perpetuate Nisenan culture. Visibility of the Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan is paramount to getting our Federal Recognition back. And, what better way to accomplish this than through the arts.” 

Thanks to Jenny, Eileen and Oustomah Lodge in Nevada City as-well-as NC Chamber of Commerce, Peggy Petersen of Asylum Down, and GoFundMe sponsors who assisted with the costs of installation.