Commission selects ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ for Champ Gallery; call to artists opens

The Nevada City Public Arts Commission voted informally on July 2 to select “Hidden in Plain Sight (details of Nevada City)” as the theme for the Champ Gallery’s September–December 2025 rotation.

Staff led commissioners through a Mentimeter interactive presentation covering 12 proposed themes. After commissioners used the live tool to nominate favorites, the top three themes were: #2 “Roots and Routes/The Many Threads of Nevada City,” #6 “Hidden in Plain Sight (details of Nevada City),” and #7 “Faces in Nevada City (past and present).” Commissioners discussed keeping the final description broad so artists could interpret the theme in many media; they removed some example bullets that commissioners worried might be limiting.

Sean Grayson explained the calendar and next steps: the call for artists will be published on Monday, the submission window will remain open through July 31, and commissioners will review submissions at their Aug. 6 meeting. Grayson said selected work will be installed in September with a public opening on Sept. 24.

Commissioners debated scope and seasonal fit for some themes and agreed to retain flexibility in wording to encourage wider participation. The commission also discussed logistics such as gallery wall dimensions and possible three‑dimensional displays, and staff said they will list specific space and sizing information in the artist call.

Commissioners asked staff to circulate the final call language for quick review before it posts; staff agreed to refine the draft and work with commissioners who want to broaden or edit language prior to publication. No formal ordinance or binding motion was required for the theme selection; the commission treated the Mentimeter results as the decision and agreed to proceed with issuing the call for artists.