Grass Valley

I AM HERe Art Installation

May 15, 2019May 25, 2019 by Ruth Chase Leave a comment

May 18 – June 16

Opening Reception: June 7, 5-7PM
Robinson Plaza
132 Main St., Nevada City, CA

Located in the Robinson Plaza of Nevada City, California, the installation is a collaboration between Ruth Chase and thirteen Key Participants, built by Monica Hughes, and Sally Peterson. QR codes are linked to videos of the key participants, and a social engagement opportunity for all who visit. The videos were filmed and edited by Will Edwards and Ruth Chase.

I AM HERE is a true community collaboration. Through several gatherings under the artistic direction of Ruth Chase, a group of local women (Key Participants) arrived at a collective vision for an interactive public art installation, “I AM HERe.”

The key participants in I AM HERE are Cassie Angle, Elma Baker, Melinda Booth, Virginia Rose Covert, Kimberlee Evans, Susan Gouveia, Isis Indriya, Kayle Martin, Erin Noel, Elisa Parker, Shelby Richardson, Jennifer Singer, and Ginny Woods (known as AniLa in her Buddhist practice). Together they explored what it means to belong in Nevada County as a woman and developed a vision for this art installation. Significant symbolism was used to lead the design, including charring of the wood to represent renewal and care for the earth as mother, as well as weaving to represent community and integration.

Once the symbolic vision was determined, Ruth Chase, Monica Hughes, and Sally Peterson worked together to design a structure that would embrace these ideas and symbology. The “I AM HERe” installation is made of local manzanita branches and Yuba River rock, and includes audio elements along with QR codes linked to videos of the key participants sharing their perspective on their sense of belonging.

I AM HERe interactive sign has 13 QR codes to on minute videos.

I AM HERE is an initiative of Nevada County Art Council led by Artist Ruth Chase, generously funded in part by California Arts Council through its Artists in Communities Program.

I AM HERe – Growing Up Rural with Kimberlee Evans

February 11, 2019May 21, 2019 by Ruth Chase

It was through the I AM HERe project that I met Kimberlee and immediately felt close to her. Me, city slicker, her, educated farm girl. Yet we had far more in common than not. I sat with Kim at her home and we talked about what it was like for her to grow up in rural Nevada County as a woman.  

Where did you grow up and how far back does your family go in Nevada County?

I was born in Anchorage Alaska, my dad was stationed there during Vietnam. I grew up in Nevada County from the time I was 7 and am the fourth generation to live in Nevada County dating back to the 1910-1920s.

Would you call yourself a Rural Woman? 

Without a doubt! I grew up on a dirt road where we worked and played through the weekend. I had no idea what it was like to have an assigned parking space and shared walls until I went to Chico State.

What defines a rural woman in your opinion?

My roots run deep, but my wings have allowed me to become my unique self.

That we have bloomed where we were planted. We understand what we have, how to make it work for our lives and how to thrive. I think that there is a misconception that a rural woman is the one who stays home and cooks and cleans, for me, a rural woman is someone who can see where she comes from and develop into what she was meant to be without forgetting her roots. I am so much like the women in my life who came before me.

So tell me, what is a day in the life of Kimberlee like? 

There is never a typical day, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.

My off hour’s job is taking care of my 10-acre ranch that was built out of love for family. This is something I am proud to own and make better to one day hand off to my daughter. Currently, we have a handful of farm animals that keep us busy and happy.

Initially, the ranch belonged to my Grandparents. Currently, we have a handful of farm animals that keep us busy and happy.

For 13 years I have taught Middle School and youth sports at Lyman Gilmore Middle School. It truly feeds my soul to work with this age group. Since I was a graduate of Lyman Gilmore myself, it’s fun to be able to bring it full circle and give back to the community that gave to me growing up.   I am always challenged to be better for every student, I am a mom, sister, teacher, nurse….

What’s it like to have a daughter? 

I am a mom to a beautiful soul, with a kind heart and a lot of my strength and sass. McKinlee! She is the light in every day and challenges me to think differently, love harder and be the best version I can be daily. She is a strong little lady, who wants to save the world one animal and one wrongdoing at a time. Being her mom is by far the greatest joy and honor I have ever been given. I look at her in awe every day!

Kimberlee

Would you say there are any barriers to being a woman in this rural county?

This is a tough question. I was raised in this community, so there are many things that I accepted as it was just the way it was. I am part of the agriculture and 4H community in Nevada County, working outside and raising our food and animals.  The barriers for me have come from the “community” I associated with and the old ways of thinking.

My grandparents believed women shouldn’t work or waste time playing sports. Instead, I should be at home helping on the “homestead” .

This was not the opinion of my parents, but it was absolutely that of my grandparents. It was only when I moved away to college where I noticed that this wasn’t the same everywhere. Do those barriers still exist, no, not in the same way?

There are two very different cultures in this community. The Agriculture community, and a more modern culture where diverse views are accepted, where the arts and a broader view of crafts are encouraged, and new ways of dealing with the environment and the land.

In order for me to not feel the barriers of years past, I have to be open, accepting, and a part of both communities.

Thank you, Laura Peterson, for editing help
Photos by ARB

Sketch Artist for Dead Files

December 28, 2017June 9, 2019 by Ruth Chase

In 2015 I was the sketch artist for “No Vacancy”, filmed at The Holbrooke Hotel in Grass Valley, CA. for a TV reality program called The Dead Files on The Travel Channel.

MEETING AMY
Amy, she’s a freaking trip, in all the best ways. An incredibly interesting, strange, distant, focused person, the real deal. Sitting with her was like being with someone who was hallucinating, my guess is that she was reading spirits and energy the whole time. As we sat in a hotel room to film the scene I was in with her (not the Holbrooke), across the table from each other, it felt like she was reading me, or the room around me, her eyes were darting back and forth, over and around me, but never looking at me, even when I spoke to her. I loved every minute of it. After our scene together, I then sat to draw what she described both on camera and off. Texting her photos of the progress to make sure the image was matching what she saw. The hardest thing about drawing a quality piece was all the distractions that took me away from being in my own place of channeling. Though I wouldn’t have wanted to mix in with the energy there, so I guess it worked out for the best.

NO VACANCY OUTLINE: Retired NYPD homicide detective Steve DiSchiavi and physical medium Amy Allan investigate paranormal activity at a small-town hotel in Grass Valley, California. Their separate investigations take harrowing turns as Steve uncovers the hotel’s history of destructive fires and scandalous violence, while Amy comes face-to-face with the deranged dead during her overwhelming walk.

Tag: Grass Valley

I AM HERe Art Installation

May 18 – June 16

I AM HERe – Growing Up Rural with Kimberlee Evans

Sketch Artist for Dead Files

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