“The Mission of the Sierra County Arts Council is to bring together community and art”.
The Arts Council is made up of members of the Sierra County community who love their rugged and beautiful corner of California, and who love art in all its forms. We rely on a host of enthusiastic volunteers who serve on the board, and who create, organize and produce programs and events across Sierra County. We could not exist without our team of dedicated volunteers. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit and all contributions to the Arts Council are tax deductable to the extent allowed by law. We have been the Sierra County designated State-Local Partner with the California Arts Council since 1981.
Our Board of Directors
Sierra County Arts Council is grateful to our dedicated all-volunteer Board of Directors. The members of our board are active participants in many of our programs and we are grateful for all that they do. We are always looking for new members who are willing to contribute knowledge, expertise, guidance and enthusiasm to help us fulfill our mission. If you would like to join our board, or have a special project that you would like to help create, please contact Executive Director B.J. Jordan.
President Caroline "Cracker" Eshleman, MA. Educator, photographer, actress, museum curator, librarian, webmaster and much more, Cracker is dedicated to our mission and has done incredible work for the Arts Council. You probably recognize her warm smile and greeting in the box office for the Banff Mountain Film Festival and her melodramatic characters on the stage of The Yuba Theatre.
Treasurer David Scott, PhD. Software engineer, David has been on our board since 2006. David was instrumental in keeping the Arts Council alive during the lean years when funding resources dwindled. He helped to write the business plan, working with Sierra County during aquisition of The Yuba Theatre. He a devoted volunteer and we are so grateful for his continued service.
Secretary Amber Baca-Sainsbury. Amber comes from a family of artists and performers, going back to her grandmother who taught art at Downieville School where Amber now teaches STEM curriculum. Now Amber joins her mother and her daughter on stage and keeps the Arts Council connected to our schools and the next generation of artists.
Member at Large Suzi Schoensee, MA. Suzi's family has lived in Sierra County for generations. Retired educator, Suzi loves to dress up and is always the life of any event. We value her deep connections to Sierra County and appreciate her saged wisdom. Suzi serves on multiple boards in Sierra County and works to preserve the history of Sierra County in all its aspects.
Member at Large Feather Ortiz. Feather is the longest serving member of our Arts Council Board and has seen the Arts Council through many difficult times. She is culinary artist and organic gardener who nurtures our community and our hearts. Her Native Mexican-American tribal roots keep us grounded and remind us of our connection to the sacred land of Sierra County.
Member-at-Large, Niecea Freeman., MA, BS. We were pleased to welcome Niecea to our board in 2022. Niecea is a Sierra County native, raised in the Sierra Valley. She is a teacher at Downieville School. She now calls Downieville her home and has thrown herself whole-heartedly into community activism. She brings energy, enthusiasm and know-how to all that she does.
Executive Director B.J. Jordan
B.J. is native born and has family roots in Sierra County going back to the 1800’s. She has worked in the music industry and is a graduate of UC Santa Cruz. She is also an artist and musician. B.J. brings knowledge and enthusiasm to her work and is committed to keeping the arts alive in Sierra County for the benefit of everyone and especially for the next generation which includes her grandson, Rudy, who now attends Downieville School.
Shown here with her faithful companion Rama