A current exhibit at the Museum of Northern California Art in Chico includes a link to the local Plumas County art scene. It features a piece by Jay Damron, a studio arts adjunct faculty member at Feather River College in Quincy.
Damron’s art object is a comprised of three “balance brace wrestling sticks” hanging vertically on a custom-made wooden bracket. “These are art objects that have a role,” said Damron. The oak rods are shaped and painted to define where wrestlers can hold them, as illustrated by three photos mounted above the bracket. The photos, depicting former FRC students, show the sticks’ intended use in grappling.
The exhibit, titled “In Flux: Recalibrating the Unknown,” includes works by 170-plus alumni of the San Francisco Art Institute, which closed in 2022. “The theme of ‘In Flux’ invites us to consider the complexities of our present moment and reflect critically on our experiences,” said curator Jeremy P. H. Morgan.
Damron described the San Francisco Art Institute as “a leading experimenter in the arts and in thinking about art’s infusion in society and culture” for nearly 150 years. He said that having his work included in this alumni show brings to mind the broad challenge of maintaining this type of art institution in our current education culture.
Joshua Olivera, FRC’s studio arts program coordinator, said that Damron’s inclusion in the show provides a significant example for students. “It’s inspiring to them and gives context and connection to the larger art world,” he said. “I think this is the real gift to our students, as we are fairly isolated in terms of the art world and this kind of participation and inclusion into a high-caliber exhibition shows our students that their education is connected to that world and demonstrates what is possible for them.”
Olivera also said it is “vital” for instructors to stay abreast of developments in their field and active in their studio practices. “The Studio Arts program at FRC is tremendously lucky to have an artist and educator of Jay’s caliber,” he said. Kevin Trutna, FRC superintendent/president, concurred: “We are very honored and fortunate to have such an amazing artist and teacher as adjunct faculty here at FRC.”
“In Flux” opened with a special reception March 22. FRC Assistant Dean of Instruction Katie Desmond attended the event along with Damron and Olivera. “Attending this event made me so proud to be a part of the FRC community!” said Desmond. “Seeing Jay’s art displayed among other San Francisco Art Institute alumni pieces reaffirmed to me that the FRC art program is among the best in the region because of our outstanding teachers.” She emphasized that FRC students have access to a “world-class studio arts education” as well as individualized mentoring.
The show runs through May 12. More information about the Museum of Northern California Art is available at https://monca.org/. More information about FRC’s Studio Arts program is available at https://www.frc.edu/art/index.
