We Are Not Strangers Here: African American Histories in Rural California
Exhibition: January 31 - April 18, 2025
Opening Reception: Thursday, February 6th at 4:30pm
Where: The Eric Rood Administrative Center - 950 Maidu Ave, Nevada City
Upcoming Exhibition Explores the Histories of African Americans in Rural California
Nevada County Arts Council invites local communities to the Opening Reception of We Are Not Strangers Here: African American Histories in Rural California on Thursday, February 6 at 4:30pm. We Are Not Strangers Here is the first exhibition of 2025 under Art in Public Spaces, presented in partnership with the County of Nevada.
Nevada County has always held a place in history. From its importance as a village and meeting place for our local tribes, to its part in making California’s Gold Country, these histories are inextricably linked. Often the stories told neglect those of individuals and communities–the often Black, Indigenous, and Asian voices–who supported the creation of our infrastructures, tended the land and made their homes here.
We Are Not Strangers Here is the result of a local partnership between Exhibit Envoy and Nevada County Arts Council, Grass Valley-Nevada City Cultural District, the County of Nevada, Nevada County Historical Society and the Nevada County Historical Commission. Taking place at the Eric Rood Administrative Center from January 31 to April 18, the exhibition highlights the unknown and untold stories of Black farmers, ranchers and rural residents. These stories challenge myths about early California and create new narratives about freedom, self-governance, and civic culture.
Rural Black residents opened schools, worked the land, and exercised vigilance about the equal rights of citizens. Over successive migrations in the 19th and 20th-centuries, they settled in agricultural and rural areas from as far north as Siskiyou County, to the Central Valley, and to Imperial Valley in the South. The traveling exhibition by Exhibit Envoy features these stories while collaborations with Nevada County Historical Society and Nevada County Landmarks Commission lend a critical local lens.
On a broader level, We Are Not Strangers Here is a collaboration between the Cal Ag Roots Project at the California Institute for Rural Studies; Susan Anderson of the California African American Museum; the California Historical Society; Exhibit Envoy; and Dr. Caroline Collins from UC San Diego. It was made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the 11th Hour Project at the Schmidt Family Foundation.
Attendees of We Are Not Strangers Here can enjoy a six-episode podcast mini-series from Cal Ag Roots, available on Soundcloud and Apple Music. Art in Public Spaces Coordinator, Hannah Mosby, recommends giving it a listen before you attend and again while looking at the installation.
Additional programming in February, March and April includes Nevada County Historical Society’s hosting of We Are Not Strangers Here curator, Susan Anderson, for a talk at Sierra Presbyterian on March 20th at 7:00pm. There will also be a film screening from Upstate California Creative Corps grantee Autie Carlisle whose work, Bryds of a Feather, shares the story of Charlie Byrd, California's first Black Sheriff from Lincoln Heights in Weed.
Nevada County Arts Council’s Art in Public Spaces Program has been championed by District 1 Supervisor, Heidi Hall. Says Hall: “The arts are central to Nevada County’s identity, culture, and economy. This partnership gives us the opportunity to showcase the incredible creators in our community while inviting new audiences into public buildings.”
“We’re so grateful to the Nevada County Arts Council for bringing their expertise and art community connections to this project,” said Hall.
About Exhibit Envoy
Exhibit Envoy provides traveling exhibitions and professional services to museums throughout California. Exhibit Envoy’s mission is to build new perspectives among Californians, create innovative exhibitions and solutions, and advance institutions in service to their communities. For more information, contact Amy Cohen at Exhibit Envoy 415.525.1553 / info@exhibitenvoy.org, and visit www.exhibitenvoy.org.