Plumas Arts (also known as the Plumas County Arts Commission) was established in 1981 as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, private public benefit corporation. Since its inception, Plumas Arts has been authorized by the Plumas County Board of Supervisors to serve as Plumas County’s arts planning and programming agency for the California Arts Council's (CAC) State-Local Partnership (SLP).
What We Do
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Artist Support
Plumas Arts boasts a vibrant gallery showcasing the creations of more than 60 talented member artists. Each month, the spotlight shifts to either individual member showcases or group exhibitions, ensuring a constant flow of fresh artwork. Additionally, Plumas Arts curates the art display at the beloved Patti's Thunder Café in Quincy, a tradition spanning over three decades alongside the Words & Music event. At Patti's, the art rotation occurs every two months, keeping the atmosphere dynamic. Beyond exhibitions, board members and staff actively promote gallery artists and local creatives through interviews. Furthermore, Plumas Arts extends its support to the artistic community by providing technical assistance, grant writing guidance, and organizational resources to both established and emerging artists and groups. |
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Fundraising Events & Activities
Throughout the year, Plumas Arts hosts a variety of events and fundraisers that bring the community together to celebrate art and culture. Regular events like Words & Music and Music in the Plaza, as well as the Plumas-Sierra County Fair Art Barn, provide opportunities for community connection through the arts. Annual fundraisers, including the Almanor Art Show (June), Wild & Scenic Film Festival (September), and Mountain Harvest Beer Festival (October), play a vital role in supporting Plumas Arts' mission. These events not only generate essential funding but also offer residents and visitors some of the area’s most beloved and vibrant cultural experiences. |
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Arts Education
For over 30 years, Plumas Arts has run Artist in the Schools, a program to bring working artists into Plumas County schools to teach art, in all the K-6 grade classrooms in Plumas County. Plumas Arts also coordinates Poetry Out Loud, a local, statewide, and national program to encourage students to learn about poetry through memorization and recitation. Through grant support, Plumas Arts also offers school assembly programs featuring diverse genres of art as well as a summer art camps throughout Plumas County communities. |
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Town Hall Theatre
The Town Hall Theatre is a first-run feature film house and community performing arts venue, which has been operated by Plumas Arts since 1989. |
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MEET THE STAFF
Executive Director: Christopher Rouse Islas Hernandez
Originally from Santa Monica, California, Christopher grew up in Quincy, where his lifelong connection to the arts first took shape. He later returned to Southern California, attending Santa Monica College and building a fast-paced career in interior design, event coordination, and management. After nearly two decades in Los Angeles, Christopher made the move back to Plumas County during the COVID era—returning to his rural roots in Indian Valley and reconnecting with the landscape and community that shaped him.
Christopher’s passions span art, travel, and the outdoors. His travels have taken him to every continent but one—Antarctica, still on the horizon—and have deepened his appreciation for cultural diversity and the vital role the arts play in strong, healthy communities. He believes deeply in art as both a connector and a catalyst for individual and collective well-being. When not working, Christopher can be found outside—hiking, getting his hands in the dirt, or simply slowing down and enjoying the moment.
In the summer of 2024, Christopher stepped into leadership at Plumas Arts and has embraced the role with enthusiasm and purpose. He is energized by the opportunity to expand access to the arts across Plumas County and to strengthen the organization’s role as a cultural anchor for the region. Guided by the belief that creativity thrives through collaboration, Christopher is committed to fostering partnerships, uplifting artists, and helping the Plumas County arts scene grow and flourish in the years ahead.
Christopher’s passions span art, travel, and the outdoors. His travels have taken him to every continent but one—Antarctica, still on the horizon—and have deepened his appreciation for cultural diversity and the vital role the arts play in strong, healthy communities. He believes deeply in art as both a connector and a catalyst for individual and collective well-being. When not working, Christopher can be found outside—hiking, getting his hands in the dirt, or simply slowing down and enjoying the moment.
In the summer of 2024, Christopher stepped into leadership at Plumas Arts and has embraced the role with enthusiasm and purpose. He is energized by the opportunity to expand access to the arts across Plumas County and to strengthen the organization’s role as a cultural anchor for the region. Guided by the belief that creativity thrives through collaboration, Christopher is committed to fostering partnerships, uplifting artists, and helping the Plumas County arts scene grow and flourish in the years ahead.
Operations Manager: Presley Alexander
Presley Alexander is a creative, driven arts professional rooted deeply in the Quincy community. Raised in Southern California, she followed a calling to the mountains in 1996, arriving in Quincy to join the horse program at Feather River College. She holds an Associate of Science degree in Equine Studies, a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Business, and most recently completed an online certification in Art Therapy. Presley brings nearly two decades of professional and entrepreneurial experience, blending creativity with practical leadership.
Quincy proved an easy and lasting fit. Drawn to the rhythms of small-town life, a supportive community, and boundless wilderness, Presley built a life here—raising her daughter, welcoming her mother to the area, and putting down lasting roots. She is a familiar and trusted presence locally, working with regional farmers and the Feather River Food Co-op, leading community workshops in cob building and watercolor painting, and actively participating in the cultural fabric of the town.
Presley is also a working artist and the founder of Manifest Station Studio. Her distinctive, award-winning body of work ranges from intricate torch-cut steel lamps to vibrant paintings, featured in high-end restaurants and curated spaces around the world—spanning all but two continents.
Joining Plumas Arts feels like a natural homecoming. Presley is honored to contribute to an organization that uplifts local culture and creativity, and she brings enthusiasm, care, and a strong organizational backbone to the work. She thrives on supporting fellow artists, shaping big ideas into reality, and keeping the behind-the-scenes systems running smoothly as Plumas County’s creative story continues to evolve.
Board of Directors
A dedicated group of artists and lovers of art from around the county.
Funding Sources
"Membership is our lifeblood, supporting all the many programs we provide to all the communities within Plumas County. Membership and Donor support makes our work possible. "
Plumas Arts is also funded through local support and grant funding.
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About Plumas County... Nestled at the junction of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Cascade Mountains in Far Northern California, Plumas County is made up of towering snow-capped peaks, rushing clear rivers, expansive green valleys, and small communities strung along the two state highways that cross the county. Though small in number, our population is rich in artists, writers, musicians, artisans, and creative folk of every stripe and color. Plumas Arts is proud to be woven into the fabric of this exceptional place.
Learn more about Plumas County at the official county website.
Learn more about Plumas County at the official county website.
