We are proud to share with you these next four amazing icons of art, the ninth in our series. The honorees have had a significant and important impact on Placer County arts and culture. The Arts Council of Placer County is proud to celebrate 40 years, and to recognize these people as a part of this milestone.

These are shared with you in no particular order, and this list is only a small portion of those who create and help make our community thrive.

Thanks to everyone who helps bring more art to more people!

Life is divided into three terms - that which was, which is, and which will be. Let us learn from the past to profit by the present,

and from the present, to live better in the future.

William Wordsworth

Give these honorees a "like" on our social media, and congratulate them!

JANET & RICK NICHOLSON - Janet and Rick Nicholson have been collaborating on creating art since 1979 when Janet left her photography job to freelance and create designs on Rick’s clay forms. In 1982, they settled on nine acres in Auburn to concentrate on glass blowing. Their work involves multiple piece wall and ceiling installations, awards, lighting and hot sculpting of the figure, birds and horses. Janet is a former member of the Arts Council of Placer County board of directors and has chaired the annual Placer Artists Tour for several years.

JOHN MARIN - Prior to his retirement, John Marin served as Placer County’s Community Development Resource Agency Director for nearly 30 years. During his 17 years as administrator in the Board of Supervisors office, he fulfilled many high-profile roles on behalf of the supervisors. As head of the Community Development Resource Agency, he oversaw environmental analysis of projects and coordinated review of complex development proposals. He also served as chairman of the Arts Council of Placer County board of directors.

DAVID FIDDYMENT - As the first Board President for the Roseville Community Projects Inc. (now Blue Line Arts), David Fiddyment oversaw the first outreach art exhibit in an old Bank of America building in downtown Roseville in 1966. Under his guidance, the group purchased the Haman House in 1974 to house the Roseville Arts Center, which offered exhibitions supporting visual and performing arts until the state-of-the-art facility, Blue Line Arts, was opened in 2008. He served for many years on numerous boards and committees, including the Roseville Arts Council and the Sierra College Board of Trustees and his beloved Rotary Club of Roseville. (D-2023)

PLACER ARTISTS TOUR - The Autumn Art Studios Tour was founded in 1993 by Helen Phillips, who was inspired to connect artists with each other and the public in order to share artistic processes and sell art. One of Placer Countyís legacy events, the free self-driving event highlights artists in diverse mediums over two weekends in November and draws art lovers from throughout the state. Changing its name to Placer Artists Tour in 2021, it received non-profit status in 2023. The 2022 tour featured 109 artists, six art galleries, five art schools and two music studios with live music presented at some locations. Happy 30th anniversary, Placer Artists Tour.

40 years of bringing more art

to more people

Additional honorees being announced, watch your email!

Arts Council of Placer County is proud to be the state and local partner of California Arts Council and Placer County