The arts

Art and Chico go hand-in-hand. Not only does Chico offer a nurturing atmosphere for artists of all media to work, but you can also find their exhibits literally everywhere. Take a walk through downtown, where there are murals on the walls, artistically designed benches and, in some places, even paintings hanging outside. Step into one of Chico’s many galleries to take in (and maybe even take home) a piece of local artwork. Chances are, even if you don’t go into a gallery or museum, you’ll find yourself gazing at a masterpiece inside a café or restaurant. Keep your eyes peeled.

Museums and galleries

1078 Gallery
820 Broadway. 343-1973. This artist-managed, nonprofit gallery is a showcase for experimental, progressive and “not necessarily commercial” art. Hours: Wednesday– Saturday 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. or visit www.1078gallery.org.

24-Hr. Drive By Gallery
117 W. 7th St. 343-0202. This family affair opened its doors nearly 15 years ago and is still run by local artist David Sisk, his son Jeb and his daughter Onnah. The gallery features a large window for easy viewing at any time. Hours: Friday 6 to 9pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 2pm or drive by whenever. Visit www.24hrdrivebygallery.com for exhibit information.

All Fired Up! Ceramic Art Center
830 Broadway. 894-5227. Chico’s newest addition to the arts community is All Fired Up! It’s a combination art gallery, open studio (with clay-working tools) and a ceramic supply outlet with clays, glazes, tools and raw materials. There are also classes and opportunities for parties and workshops.

Art Etc.
122 W. 3rd St. 895-1161. The place for art supplies, framing and rotating exhibits from local artists. Hours: 10am to 5pm daily, except Sunday.

Avenue 9 Gallery
180 East Ninth Ave., Ste. 3. 879-1821. Avenue 9 has earned a reputation for diverse, interesting shows, snagging the Mayor’s Award for Contributions to the Arts of Chico in 2005. Open Wednesday–Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

BAD DOG
895-2880. The Butte Art & Design Digital Outdoor Gallery has two outdoor locations: Business Department on Butte College main campus and in downtown Chico at 2nd and Broadway.

BMU Third Floor Gallery
Located on the third floor lobby of BMU on the Chico State campus. The Associated Students run this gallery, which features original student works throughout the school year.

Chico Art Center
450 Orange St. 895-8726. Established in 1956, this nonprofit arts place offers regular exhibits as well as classes for all levels. Open Wednesday–Sunday, noon to 4pm. Visit www.chicoartcenter.com for information.

Chico Paper Co.
345 Broadway, 891-0900. In the heart of downtown, this custom framing and retail shop features works by more than 25 local artists, with new exhibits appearing regularly. Open weekdays 9:30am to 6pm; Saturday 10 am to 5 pm.

Crux Artist Collective
1421 Park Ave. 566-0176. The Crux, now tucked into its new location, offers work space for artists and is known as one of the hipper places to see visual and performance art and live music. Open Thursday– Sunday, noon to 5pm. Visit www.cruxarts.com for more info.

deSouza
152 E. 3rd St. Located around the corner from Vagabond Rose, deSouza carries everything from quirky knickknacks to quality paintings. Hours: Wed.-Sat., noon-4pm.

Ghostdance Gallery
173 E. 13th St. 899-0144. Built around Native American philosophies, the Ghostdance Gallery features charcoal works as well as other mixed-media works. Open Thursday–Sunday, 11am to 6pm.

Healing Art Gallery
265 Cohasset Rd., (at Enloe Cancer Center) 332-3855. Healing Art Gallery features exhibits by Northern California artists whose lives have been touched by cancer. Open weekdays 8am to 5:30pm.

Humanities Center Gallery
Trinity Hall, Chico State campus. 898-4642. Located on the Chico State campus, the Humanities Center Gallery usually runs two simultaneous exhibits (Main Gallery and The Hallway) of established local and visiting artists. Hours: Monday–Thursday 8am to 4:30pm; Friday 8 to 11am. Visit www.csuchico.edu/hfa/hc/gallery.html for exhibition info.

James Snidle Fine Arts and Appraisals
254 E. 4th St., 343-2787 or (415) 850-7898. Now based in San Francisco, James Snidle offers fine arts and personal property appraisals, gallery shows, art restoration and conservation and art sales in Chico for one week every month. Visit www.jamessnidlefinearts.com for more information.

Janet Turner Print Museum
Mezzanine level of Laxson Auditorium on the Chico State Campus. 898-4476. Besides some 2,000 prints from the famous Janet Turner, this print museum also showcases student print exhibits and sponsors the annual Janet Turner National Print Competition and Exhibition. Open weekdays 11am to 4pm.

Orient & Flume Art Glass
2161 Park Ave., 893-0373. Art glass at its finest. This space offers interested buyers a variety of vases, bowls and assorted glassworks. There is also a viewing area to watch the glassblowers at their trade. Open 10 to 5pm except Sunday.

Sally Dimas Art Gallery
493 East Ave., Ste. 1. 345-3063. Sally Dimas features original paintings, art pottery, etchings and jewelry by local and regional artists. Open Tuesday–Saturday, noon to 6pm, and during performances.

University Art Gallery
Taylor Hall on the Chico State campus. A student-centered gallery with exhibits from national and international artists, plus the annual Masters of Fine Arts exhibits and the Juried Student Exhibition in the spring.

Vagabond Rose Gallery & Framing
236 Main St., 343-1110. This gallery, owned by Marilyn Souza for more than 25 years, features exhibits from local artists that rotate on a monthly basis. Open Tuesday– Saturday 10 to 5 p.m.

Café Flo
365 E. Sixth St. (near the Pageant Theatre). 892-0356.

Grilla Bites
119 W. 2nd St. 894-2691 and Grilla Bites Garden Villa, 196 Cohasset Rd. 343-4876.

Has Beans Internet Café & Galleria
501 Main St. 894-3033.

Monks Wine Lounge & Bistro
128 W. 2nd St. 343-3408.

Moxie’s Café & Gallery
128 Broadway. 345-0601.

The Naked Lounge
118 W. 2nd St. 895-0676.

Pommes Frites
138 Broadway, 893-9622.

Steam & Bean Espresso
1354 East Ave. Ste. U, 899-2660.

Upper Crust Bakery & Café
130 Main St. 895-3866.

Zucchini & Vine
204 Main St. 345-3551.

Theater

The Chico theater scene is vibrant and extends beyond the university, with several companies bringing different styles to the stage. The newly formed Alliance of Chico-area Theatres is a testament to the wide variety of quality choices for theater in this area. Check the Calendar section of the Chico News & Review, and keep an eye out for posters advertising productions and running dates.

Blue Room Theatre
139 W. 1st St. (upstairs), 895-3749. This veteran outfit brings community theater to a professional level with well-produced cutting-edge and classical dramas and comedies featuring talented local actors. Scripts range from the locally written to the award-winning. Visit www.blueroomtheatre.com for more.

Butte College Department of Performing Arts
895-2994. The community college has been presenting one drama or musical each semester since the 1970s, ranging from classical to contemporary productions. The actors also take to the classroom with the annual Shakespeare in the Schools touring production.

Chico Cabaret Theatre
2201 Pillsbury Road, Ste. C1 (in the Almond Orchard Shopping Center), 895-0245. Chico Cabaret focuses on lively musicals, comedies and adult dramas. Tables are set, dinner-theater style, and live music often accompanies productions. The Cabaret’s companion organization is Theatre on the Inside Out, which invites young people and families to participate in theatrical events. While providing entertainment, the theater strives to increase tolerance in the community and provide a sense of belonging. Learn more at www.chicocabaret.com.

Chico Theater Company
166 Eaton Road, 894-3282. Chico Theater Company was started by locals Marc Edson and Brian Holderman with the goal of showcasing Broadway musicals. Housed in the former home of the Eaton Road Opera House, CTC plans eight shows a year, with premieres on Wednesdays and shows Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. For fun, theatergoers are asked to dress up and get into the red-carpet mood on premiere night. Visit www.chicotheatercompany.com for more info.

CSU, Chico Department of Theater Arts
Throughout the academic year, the department presents plays in two spaces (the Harlen Adams Theatre and the intimate Wismer Theatre) inside the Performing Arts Center on campus. It also produces an annual musical production in Laxson Auditorium every spring. Call University Public Events at 898-5917 or University Box Office at 898-6333 for listings.

Ensemble Theatre of Chico
1531 Sheridan Ave., 891-1382. ETC spends most of the year hibernating, emerging every summer for its annual Shakespeare in the Park festival. Productions are put on outdoors in the Cedar Grove area of Bidwell Park, with one selection from the canon of Shakespeare classics. Visit www.ensembletheatreofchico.com for more.

Theatre on the Ridge (Paradise)
3735 Neal Rd., Paradise, 877-5760. The oldest community theater in the area, TOTR puts on an eclectic schedule of plays from contemporary to classic. Visit www.totr.org for information.