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January 2026 | Member Show

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Exhibition: January 24 - March 1, 2026

Reception: Friday, February 6, 5-7pm

Chico Art Center invites members to exhibit one artwork to kick off the new year!  

This exhibition is generously sponsored by Cris Guenter.

CALL FOR ART

ENTRY FEE: Membership: $20 Student / $40 Individual / $65 Family

DROP OFF: Saturday - Sunday, January 17 & 18, 10am - 4pm

For questions contact Cameron Kelly, gallery director at gallerydirectorcac@gmail.com or text 4158234415

TERMS

  • Write your name on the back & attach your name to the front. We use this tag to match your artwork with the wall label once it is hung.
  • Framing and hanging hardwire is not required if artwork can be hung from stretcher bar.
  • Please, no sexually explicit imagery or content that denigrates an individual or group.
  • Pick up: March 3-4, 11:30am - 4:00pm
  • Artworks may not be removed prior to the close of the exhibition, nor will sold artworks be released early.
  • Works submitted must be completely dry.
  • Work determined by the director to be too fragile for safe handling and/or display will not be accepted.
Entry Form
Become or Renew Membership Here
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December 2025 | Nicolai Larsen Retrospective

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Exhibition: December 9, 2025 - January 16, 2026

Tour the Exhibit with the artist's wife, Marion Hunziker-Larsen:
Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 2:00pm

Reception:
Friday, January 9, 5:00 - 7:00pm 

Presentation of Nicolai’s Mural and Commercial Work:

In Person- Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 2:00pm
Zoom Presentation- Sunday, January 11 at 2:00pm  

Nicolai Larsen (1952-2025)

Nicolai Larsen was known for his inventive, visionary painted imagery, fine art canvases, award-winning large-scale mural art, and architectural painted environments. Nicolai studied art at the San Francisco Art Institute and the Academy of Art College. He was selected to work in the CETA Art in Public Places Project in San Mateo County, CA. Later, he became a set designer at Marine World/Africa USA. Nicolai has been internationally commissioned to create works for public, corporate, and private clients.

Starting in 1982, Nicolai operated his own visual arts company specializing in fine arts, murals, trompe l’oeil, and design. He has exhibited his work in many venues, including the Peninsula Museum of Art, Diablo Valley Planetarium, Stanford University, UC Berkeley, NASA Ames Research Center, and the Vorpal Gallery in San Francisco.

Nicolai moved to Chico from the Bay Area in 2013 with his wife, son, and dog. He came to appreciate the North Valley for its wide open space and relaxed pace of life. The valley and its surroundings provided a wealth of imagery for an artist to respond to, and a quieter, more contemplative place to develop new work. The Chico art community also offered him a chance to engage with art organizations. Shortly after relocating to Chico, Nicolai joined the Chico Art Center and became involved in shepherding innovative exhibition concepts and organizing fun fundraisers while serving on the board of the Chico Art Center.

Click here to preview artwork on your phone

Presentation of Nicolai’s Mural and Commercial Work:

In Person- Saturday, January 10, 2026 at 2:00pm
Zoom Presentation- Sunday, January 11 at 2:00pm  

The presentation of Nicolai Larsen's mural and commercial work is now available to watch online. Click button below to visit the exhibition page.

Click here to watch the recording
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Train Depot Expansion

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Train Depot Expansion

We have officially signed a lease with the City of Chico to take over the additional spaces on the south end of the historic Southern Pacific Railroad depot, which has been vacant for many years. This expansion will allow Chico Art Center to offer more arts-related opportunities to its members and the broader community.

One of the spaces is being renovated for the Digital Arts Lab. We are collecting donated equipment and planning a full program of classes where you can learn to digitally sketch and paint, to use software for photo editing, design and publishing, to develop skills in promotion and social media and much more.

A new website exclusively for our digital arts lab is under development.

One space is being built into an annex gallery that can be rented by artists for visual and performing arts events.

Renovation has begun. If you'd like to help fund the renovation, make a donation here.

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Art & Gifts

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We want to sell your work!

Members benefit by selling art and handmade gifts under $100 in the Gift Shop, which cycles through members by changing inventory every 3 months. Chico Art Center welcomes visitors 6 days a week with monthly events and promotion in our newsletter and social media to keep folks coming back. The center takes a 30% commission in exchange.  Change out typically happens on the last days of Dec, March, June and September. Please bring an inventory list and all items tagged with your name and retail price. Maximum 5 types of items.

Each quarter features an artist or art organization with works over $100. This could be you!

We look forward to seeing what our creative members will have to offer next. Remember your membership must be current.

Please feel free to stop by any time to pick up the paperwork so you will be all ready to go.
Contact Christian Davila at CAC.GiftShop@gmail.com‬ to arrange to bring your art and handmade gifts to Christian on Wednesdays during gallery hours, 11:30am-4:00pm.

 

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Classes & Studio Groups

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CLASSES

You are encouraged to register prior to the first class meeting; early sign ups indicate to instructors that they can offer the class. Registration is on a first come first served basis; no reservations without payment. All fees are due upon registration. Please use a separate check for each class payable to the instructor. Call instructors for additional information and materials lists.

Wednesdays

1:00-4:00pm

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WATERCOLOR

Wednesdays starting January 7, 2026

Cost: $165 for 4 classes

Paint a colorful Japanese woodblock print image with watercolor! This will be a relatively easy painting and shouldn't take us more than 4 weeks and is suitable for those who haven't painted with me in the past. But, If we need to add more sessions, you will be able to pay as we go.

If you have taken classes with me in the past, you should have all of the supplies needed. If you are new, you will need to meet with me prior to the class to discuss materials needed. Please contact me ASAP to set up a time for this review.

Just as a reminder, Thursdays will continue to be open for anyone needing to 'catch up' if you have missed a class or need extra help. To help cover the classroom rental fee, you pay $15 for the day.

Please call, text or email me with your desire to take the class.

I am considering Saturday or Sunday classes during 2026. If this is something that interests you, please just drop me an email.

Cynthia Sexton
email: csexton19@gmail.com
phone (530) 318-2105

April 26

12:00pm-3:00pm

GEL PRINTING WORKSHOP

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STUDIO GROUPS

Private groups that rent space from Chico Art Center. Groups meet to practice together. No instruction is given. Artists interested in joining are welcome to contact the coordinator.

Mondays

9:00am – 12:00pm
Alternating Weeks

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FIGURE DRAWING

We meet on alternating Monday mornings in Room 2. Joining the workshop is by permission from the group, which relies upon recommendations from group members and other references. You need to be a member of the Chico Art Center to participate. Another possible limiting factor is the amount of physical space available in the classroom. For inquiries about cost or additional information please call or text Mark Gailey at (530) 966-6316

Mondays

9:00am – 3:00pm

Carol Prebil Miles, Idaho Tree Swallow, 2019, watercolor, 8” x 7”, $165, Framed

WATERCOLOR

We meet in Room 1. This group is NOT FOR BEGINNERS; it is for those who have minimum previous watercolor experience. If you took Carol Preble-Miles' Watercolor class a long time ago, and are unsure of how to proceed, or you are a bit rusty and just need a “kick start” or, if you just want to paint in a group environment, try these open “sessions”.

Space is currently available. Contact Carol Preble-Miles at cpreblemiles[at]gmail.com or 530-717-3960 for questions.

Tuesdays

9:00am – 12:00pm

Marvey Meuller, Danger Lurks, 2020, Watercolor, 10x10", $250

WATERCOLOR

We meet in Room 1. Due to space limitations the group membership is limited to 9. This group is currently full. Cost is $20 to $25 per month. You must be a member of the Chico Art Center to participate. For additional information contact Marvey Mueller at marveychap[at]gmail.com

Wednesdays

1:00pm – 4:00pm

Alternating Weeks

Nora as Frida K copy

PORTRAITURE

We meet in Room 2. Although a model is provided, it is not a class with an instructor. We do, however, learn from our fellow artists. You need to be a member of the Chico Art Center to participate. A possible limiting factor is the amount of physical space available in the classroom. To make inquiries about cost or additional information please call or text Mark Gailey at (530) 966-6316

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Classroom Rental

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RENT A CLASSROOM

INSTRUCTION

Have you ever thought of sharing your art talents with others? The Chico Art Center is now opening its two rooms to artists wishing to rent a classroom for instruction. Due to the nature of the more restrictive AB-5 laws governing casual workers, the Center has had to set up new guidelines for classroom use. The Art Center classrooms are available for rent on a monthly or hourly basis. This allows you to have a one-time workshop or an ongoing class over a number of weeks. As the instructor, you pick your schedule, the artistic talents you would like to share, and set class costs. New responsibilities for instructors include recruiting students and collecting payment. We will assist you by listing your class offerings in our monthly newsletter and on our website.

OPEN & PRIVATE GROUPS

As the contact for a group, you may rent a room for a private group of artists or for an open studio group that invites artists to join.

RATES

The following rates include an additional ½ hour before and after for set up and cleanup.

$75  1 Hour Session

$100  1½ Hour Session

$125  2 Hour Session

$150  3 Hour Session

*Add an additional $20 per month for non-members.

CONTACT

Reservations for room use are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Contact Debra Simpson at 895-8726 or email chicoartcenter@att.net