Plumas Bank Gets to the ‘Art’ of the Matter

It’s not often that visiting a branch to take care of banking business also includes the ability to browse local fine art, but that’s been the reality at Plumas Bank’s Chico branch for the past year.

This month concludes Plumas Bank’s year-long art collaboration with Museum of Northern California Art (monca). Select art by Chico’s own Janet Blixt, visual artist and founder of the Chico Art School & Gallery, is now on display at Plumas Bank’s Chico branch location through the end of September.

“We’re thrilled to feature Janet’s beautiful paintings throughout the branch,” said Ian Macmillan, vice president, branch manager at Plumas Bank’s Chico location. “Our year-long partnership with monca has been incredibly rewarding for our clients, our team members and community members who have been able to celebrate local artists while visiting us.”

Beginning in October 2023 and changing out every four months, Plumas Bank’s branch location at 900 Mangrove Avenue has acted as an extended gallery space, featuring artwork created by local artists. Previous featured artists included:
•    Local printmaker Brandon Hernandez 
•    Paula Busch, who specializes in encaustic art

Meet Chico Artist Janet Blixt

The final installment in this year’s Plumas Bank + monca partnership celebrates Blixt’s expressionistic yet representational style, which she primarily executes in oils, pastel, watercolor and acrylic. Most of her work is created “en plein air,” meaning outdoors, so capturing the light before it changes is an important part of her work.

Blixt started painting at the age of 7, and over the course of her career, she developed an appreciation for mentoring emerging artists. This inspired her to open the Chico Art School & Gallery in 2009, which offers children over age 7 and adults ongoing instruction in painting and drawing.

“I appreciate the opportunity to have my work displayed in a new venue here in Chico,” said Blixt. “Art and commerce are both essential elements to building a community, and being included as part of the year-long series of artist features is an honor.”

Community Banking, Local Art

The partnership between Plumas Bank and monca reflects the bank’s ongoing commitment to championing the arts.

“The mission of the museum is making the art of northern California artists accessible to all and bringing community and art together, enhancing health and healing as we move forward in our lives,” said Patricia Macias, monca executive director. “Having the Plumas Bank space as an adjunct gallery has helped to make this vision come true.”

BJ North, Plumas Bank’s executive vice president and chief banking officer, noted that the goal of the partnership is for Chico residents to feel entirely at home in their local branch.

“I firmly believe that arts and culture is the sole of every community,” North said. “As a business, we can display local art and give it greater visibility and new audiences. What better way than to give local artists in all of our communities the opportunity to show their work — their brilliance.”

Through September, bank visitors can stop by between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays to browse Blixt’s exhibit. Also on permanent display are fine art landscape prints on metal by Paradise artist Jeremy Veseley and Plumas Bank’s featured outdoor mural by Chico artist Dylan Tellesen.

Interested in learning more about how Plumas Bank celebrates the communities we serve? 

DISCOVER THE COMMUNITY BANKING DIFFERENCE