Artistic Riches Hidden in the Foothills
By Kaaren Boothroyd

The arts find a perfect setting in El Dorado County, a region filled with natural beauty and a rich history, where orchards and vineyards flourish. The rural charm and tranquil country roads allow visitors to discover the arts “off the beaten path.”
To help you find your way, the El Dorado Arts Council has produced ArtsAccess El Dorado County, a guide to galleries, artists’ studios, theaters, performance venues, museums and other places of cultural and artistic interest. And their ArtViews newsletter includes a comprehensive Cultural Events Calendar.

The annual “Butterfly Concert,” held on the Sunday after Labor Day is a tradition that includes a rousing pops concert on the green at the County Fairgrounds, strolling musicians, arts activities for kids, a table-setting contest and surprises for all. Every year, “Music on the Divide” offers a classical music series of the highest caliber, while the American River Folk Society brings world-renowned performers to intimate venues in El Dorado County. In addition, local performers such as the Sierra Symphony, Tahoe Community Orchestra, Foothill Women’s Chorus and Tahoe Community Choir perform regularly.

Galleries—many of them on historic Main Street in Placerville—show off local talent working in all mediums. Third Saturday Artwork opens the doors to all the Main Street galleries for the evening and often includes artists’ receptions. There are two annual self-guided art studio tours, one in South Lake Tahoe the weekend after Labor Day and the other, covering the rest of the county, in early October. The prestigious International Mother Lode Art Exhibit brings art from all over the world to this annual show in late summer.

The Tahoe Tallac Association hosts 50 summer events including the Valhalla Renaissance Festival, while dancers and music lovers come to the rooftop of Placerville’s downtown garage for the chance to swing under the stars at “The New Starlight Ball.” Old-fashioned fun and melodrama can be found at the Olde Coloma Theatre near the gold discovery site off Highway 49. And Motherlode Performing Arts Company and Imagination Theatre offer community theater for young and old.

ArtsAccess El Dorado County and the ArtViews newsletter are available at the El Dorado Arts Council, 451 Main Street #6, Placerville or on the website at eldoradoarts.com. For more information on the latest in the arts, call (530) 295-3496.