Colusa County Arts Council

09/22/2026

📚 LIVE LIT is back!
Saturday, October 17th, 4-6pm

Celebrating the Literary Arts in Colusa County! Join us for a special edition of LIVE LIT at Salmon Bend Art Studios in Colusa for an evening of literary illumination sure to uplift thy mind! 🎭📖 Local writers will take the stage with short readings of poetry, stories, nonfiction, and other spoken musings—with something for readers and listeners of all ages.

🍂 This special LIVE LIT will coincide with Salmon Bend’s Harvest Show, opening October 9 and running for two weekends. Come enjoy the art, hear some words, and perhaps find a treasure for thy home!

🥤 Lest thou worry, refreshments shall be provided by the Arts Council to wet thine parch’d lips.

📍 Salmon Bend Art Studios
3606 Brown Road, Colusa

Snapping encouraged, but not required. Art shopping encouraged, if thy heart so desires.

09/22/2026

Get ready to be inspired! Artist Ema Lahey returns to Sacramento Valley after 40 years, capturing 700 breathtaking photos of rice dryers, fields, and canals her first solo exhibition!

FULL ARTICLE 👇

📷: Colusa County Arts Council

08/19/2026

As our campers head into a new school year today, we’re reflecting back on a magical week at Performing Arts Camp! 🌈🎭

Our campers proudly brought their adaptation of The Wizard of Oz to the stage, reminding us to use our brains to think, hearts to care, and courage to make good choices. 💛

From learning lines and choreography to building confidence and supporting one another, they grew both on and off the stage. We hope they carry that same creativity, confidence, and courage with them into the classroom this year! 📚

Read more about this year’s Performing Arts Camp here: https://www.colusa-arts.org/news/performingarts-summer-camp-2026

08/18/2026

🌾 Meet the Artist: Ema Lahey 🌾

The Colusa County Arts Council is excited to present R I C E L A N D & beyond, Ema Lahey’s first solo exhibition.

Raised in Willows, Lahey grew up surrounded by the rice fields, irrigation canals, and agricultural landscape of Northern California. After a 40-year career in the arts in New York City, Denver, and Cleveland, she returned to rural Northern California in 2022.

The inspiration for this exhibition began with five visits to the Sacramento Valley in 2025-2026, when Lahey captured approximately 700 photographs of rice fields, grain silos, rice dryers, canals, and expansive skies. These photographs became the foundation for her paintings and collage works—celebrating the beauty and quiet grandeur of a landscape we often pass by without seeing.

✨ Opening Reception: Saturday, September 5 | 6–8 PM
📍 Colusa County Arts Council Gallery
151 5th Street, Colusa, CA
🗓️ On view September 5–December 10, 2026

Come see the Sacramento Valley through Ema’s eyes. 🌾✨

08/13/2026

🌿 Last Chance to See “In the County”! 🌿

Stop by the gallery next Tuesday or Wednesday, August 18th–19th, from 11 AM–4 PM to view our In the County exhibition before it closes!

📍 151 5th Street, Colusa

And while you’re here, don’t forget to pick up your copy of the In the County zine! 📖🌾 We still have copies available.

You can also order one here —> https://www.colusa-arts.org/store-1/p/inthecountyzine2026

08/12/2026

🎨 Looking back on a wonderful week at our 2026 Visual Art Summer Camp! From exploring new art techniques to collaborating, making friends, and learning how creativity can strengthen a community, our young artists filled the week with imagination and joy. 💛

Thank you to our instructors, volunteers, families, and the City of Colusa for helping make the week possible.

Read more about this year’s Visual Art Camp here —> https://www.colusa-arts.org/news/visualart-summer-camp-2026

📸 Donovan Lee

08/07/2026

🎉 Congratulations to LK James!

Colusa County Arts Council is proud to celebrate LK James, who has been selected as a 2026 Upstate Individual Artists Fellowship – Established Fellow! 👏
This prestigious fellowship, administered by Nevada County Arts & Culture in partnership with the California Arts Council and regional arts agencies, provides unrestricted funding to outstanding artists and culture bearers across Northern California.

Chosen through a highly competitive, multi-round peer review process from 243 applicants across the 19-county Upstate Region, LK James was recognized for decades of dedication as an artist, illustrator, and printmaker.

This recognition celebrates the important role local artists play in shaping our community's identity while reinforcing the value of investing in the creative individuals who strengthen Colusa County's culture and economy.
Please join us in congratulating LK James on this well-deserved honor! 🎨

07/27/2026

06/30/2026

06/10/2026

🎨✂️ Create, connect, and get inspired at our Community Collage Workshop!
Join artist Mark Vargo for a hands-on collage-making experience where we'll explore what it means to build a healthy, connected community through creativity and conversation.

Using magazines, recycled books, textures, and mixed media, you'll create your own unique collage on a wood panel inspired by friendship, positive choices, and the people and places that make our community stronger. Plus, help create a collaborative community artwork alongside fellow participants!

📅 When: Saturday, June 20th | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Where: Colusa County Arts Council, 151 5th Street, Colusa
🖌️ No experience necessary
🎨 Everyone Welcome!
🧩 All materials provided

Come make art, meet new people, and celebrate the power of community!

👉 RSVP today! https://www.colusa-arts.org/creative-youth-lab-workshops
This workshop is part of the Creative Futures Art Lab program and is funded in partnership with the City of Colusa through the Proposition 64 Cohort 3 Youth Prevention & Education Program, supporting creative opportunities that empower youth to build confidence and make informed decisions about cannabis prevention.