The Tehama Creatives

Uniting Local Artists To Transform Red Bluff’s Outdoor Spaces

“I can’t remember a day in my life that I did not want to be an artist,” says Heather Vine. From a childhood dream into an adult career, earning a Bachelor of Arts in graphic design, marrying her husband Joe, and launching a successful graphic design career. Currently, she works from home, cherishing both her creative space and time with eleven-year-old Annapurna and seven-year-old Everest. Heather and Joe named both their children after the Nepalese mountains the two visited on their honeymoon.

Last year Heather began to lament how much she and other local artists tend to work in isolation. “Stuck in our own bubbles,” she says. In February of 2019, hoping to unify in the name of art, Heather and her friend Athena Dyer set up a Facebook page called Tehama Creatives. Within a few months, they found themselves forging new friendships and encouraging other artists online and at weekly gatherings.

Heather Vine (lower left) and fellow artists with Tehama Creatives are Uniting Local Artists To Transform Red Bluff’s Outdoor Spaces. Photos by Mike Bennett.

Unifying around a public canvas

One evening, while listening to her fellow Tehama Creatives lament the lack of public art, the block-long back wall of her husband’s copy shop flashed into Heather’s mind. The wall, streaked with random graffiti, faced a trash-strewn alley and treated everyone entering downtown Red Bluff with a grim view. At that moment, in her mind’s eye, the alley transformed into precisely what Tehama Creatives needed—a public canvas.

A public art gallery becomes a movement

Acting on Heather’s idea, Tehama Creatives comprised of artists Athena Dyer, Lacy Wilson, Phillip Moller, Toni Gaylord and Heather began transforming the alley into a public art gallery. Heather eagerly approached the surrounding building owners and gained permission to beautify the entire alleyway. From the first bloom of paint, Heather noticed the art attracting visitors. Moms snapped photos as they pushed strollers, and high schoolers used the bold colors as backdrops for Instagram stories and senior photos.

Soon, the alley gained so much attention that other business owners began asking Tehama Creatives to paint their alleyways as well. “I hadn’t picked up a paintbrush since college,” Heather says. “But as soon as we started painting, I knew we weren’t just painting a building. It was a movement.”

Making civic icons for Red Bluff

When the Masonic Lodge contracted the group to paint a 65 by 45-foot mural—one of the largest murals in the North State—Heather and her team finally understood the scope of Tehama Creatives. “We realized we’re making civic icons that people will begin to identify Red Bluff with,” Heather says.

Her excitement then went through the roof. The City of Red Bluff and the probation department approached Tehama Creatives to use civic money to beautify 12 walls throughout the city.

“Everyone knows public art is cool, but I think people underestimate the cultural, social and economic value it holds,” Heather explains. “We remember times and places in history through art. For example, when people think of Easter Island, they think of the huge monolithic heads. Public art is part of our identity.”

Art that invigorates outdoor spaces and opens the door for other artists

Heather’s care and compassion shine through her enthusiasm for Tehama Creatives. She points out that public art has gained even more value in imparting joy as COVID-19 has limited indoor activities and access. Public art invigorates outdoor spaces and extends an open invitation to enjoy art.
She especially loves seeing North Valley Services tour by the Red Bluff Art Alley. “I think people have been starved for positive this year,” she says, “and I believe that even people who aren’t artists get that joy when they see this art in their town.”

Heather loves what Tehama Creatives models for her children. “My kids are in my studio all the time, and they come paint with me in the alley, too,” she says. “I think these are important things to show my children how to live a happier life because how you achieve happy is connection—connection with our community, friends and passions.”

She also hopes her story encourages young artists to pursue art professionally.

In recent months, local artists have painted several murals independently of Tehama Creatives. Heather delights in how Tehama Creatives has ignited more public art activity and unity. “I think we built a platform that opened the door for other artists to go out on their own,” she explains. “I could not be more stoked or honored that this is happening.”

You can see Heather’s colorful visions for public art by following Tehama Creatives on Facebook.