Paintings with Power & Passion: Simone Senat Is Chico Branch’s New Featured Artist

The connection between art and community isn’t just important; it’s fundamentally transformative. Americans for the Arts, in fact, highlights a long list of research-backed arts impacts, a few of which include:  

• The arts instill community trust and cohesion.
• Arts-rich neighborhoods are the top 25% in terms of safety.
• Arts participants are more than twice as likely to volunteer as those who do not participate in the arts.

Plumas Bank takes pride in connecting community with the benefits of art by showcasing local talent through an ongoing partnership with the Museum of Northern California Art (monca). The newest featured artist at our Chico branch: acclaimed designer and painter Simone Senat.

A Journey Inspired by Lifelong Learning

Senat’s story starts with evident talent and an appreciation for education. She’s a Southern California native who got an early start in the art world, leaving high school at 17 to study at UCLA’s renowned arts program. Influenced by European abstract expressionists, she cultivated a passion for mixed media, composition, and the interplay of color and texture.

Her journey led to a master’s degree in arts education from CSU Long Beach, followed by a master’s in studio arts from San Jose State University. Along the way, she left her mark — quite literally — on the city of San Jose, completing a 12-by-96-foot mural as part of the San Jose City Arts Mural Project. 

Between teaching K-12 art, working at the Triton Museum of Art, and refining her personal artistic vision, Senat has remained dedicated to sharing the inspirational power of creativity.

Since 2000, she has served as a studio arts professor at Butte College, inspiring students to embrace self-expression. Her paintings, often influenced by the landscapes and rhythms of life on her Butte Valley ranch, blend playfulness with deep storytelling, offering viewers a glimpse into the everyday through a unique and vibrant lens.

Bringing Art into Community Spaces

Plumas Bank’s Chico branch has been an extended gallery space for more than a year: Tim B. Moore, Paula Busch, and Janet Blixt are just three names among a growing list of Plumas Bank artist alumnae. The partnership between Plumas Bank and monca reflects the bank’s ongoing commitment to championing the arts. 

“Plumas Bank is honored to continue its collaboration with monca to showcase regional artists and bring art into our community spaces,” said Ian Macmillan, vice president, branch manager at Plumas Bank’s Chico location. “Simone’s work is an excellent addition to our exhibition, and we encourage the community to visit and see her pieces firsthand.”

Plumas Bank and monca share a commitment to making art accessible and fostering a deeper appreciation for creativity in the community.

“The museum is dedicated to showcasing the work of northern California artists and creating an inclusive space where art and community come together to inspire,” said Patricia Macias, Executive Director of monca. “The Plumas Bank space as an extension of our museum has been instrumental in making this vision a reality.”

Experience Senat’s Work

Curated pieces from Senat’s collection are on display at Plumas Bank’s Chico branch at 900 Mangrove Avenue through April 2025, and community members are invited to stop by between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays when the bank is open. Also on permanent display: Fine art landscape prints on metal by Paradise artist Jeremy Vesely, as well as Plumas Bank’s featured outdoor mural by Chico artist Dylan Tellesen.

Explore Our Commitment to Community Art