CHICO — Deep shades of blue and green are shown in artist Dayton Claudio’s work, his favorite colors, which is currently featured along with late artist Nora Pineda’s work at the Chico Art Center.
Claudio painted a 3D mural on the Salem Street parking garage in downtown Chico and has created public art centering around nature across the country. He enjoys hiking in places like upper Bidwell Park and enjoys mixing local landscaping with urban development in some of his pieces. His career in public art was launched in Chico.
Claudio majored in art in college and taught art at Butte College and at Chico State but especially enjoys public art.
“I’m inspired by nature and different viewpoints,” Claudio said.
“Nora Pineda’s ceramic sculpture has been appreciated by Chico art patrons for many decades and became closer to the Art Center’s audience when she exhibited work in our Camp Fire exhibit, Rebuilt, Renew, Reimagine in 2019. We have been wanting to exhibit more of her work ever since,” said Gallery Director Cameron Kelly. “Chico Art Center is honored to celebrate the work of these two artists who are deeply rooted in the Chico community. ”
Claudio lives in Chico but has traveled to the Bay Area, Muir Woods, Zion National Park in Utah, Atlanta and the Florida Keys, to name a few places from which he draws inspiration. His youngest daughter lives in San Jose.
“There are lots of parks and places down there,” he said. “I head out with my bike and explore new places.”
A love affair with art
Nora Pineda’s daughter, Michelle Beltran, is proud of her mother’s work with clay. Her mother died in April and her work was influenced by her Mexican heritage. She started her love affair with art in 1972.
“On a whim, she took an art class at Chico State and absolutely loved it,” said daughter Michelle Beltran. “She found an untouched sense of freedom and joy in creating with her own hands with clay. This was the impetus to a lifetime of her love affair with art.”
Late artist Nora Pineda works in her art studio in Feb. 2017. Pineda's work is currently featured in an exhibit at the Chico Art Center. (Tiffany Ridenhour/Contributed)
Late artist Nora Pineda works in her art studio in Feb. 2017. Pineda's work is currently featured in an exhibit at the Chico Art Center. (Tiffany Ridenhour/Contributed)
Beltran said her mother said that her work is healing.
“Pieces are created to capture great depth of emotion, celebration, suffering and cultural bonding,” Beltran said.
Beltran also provided quotes from before her mother died via email.
Pineda developed a passion for working with patterns and handiwork while sewing as a child with her mother.
“This was an early memory of wonderful creative artistic experience. Also, at about age 20, I worked as a teacher’s aide. … This experience gave me a new understanding of art and how to create artistically, particularly with children,” Pineda said.
Mexican and Southwestern art influenced Pineda’s work.
“At age 23, I went to Mexico with my sister, Lillian. We visited several museums in Mexico City. I was impressed by the works of the Mexican people and native cultures in this area. I was moved by Chapultepec Museum as well as the Museum of Anthropology. Walking through the museums was very inspirational for me,” Pineda said.
Pineda studied art at Feather River College, earning her Associates of Arts degree. She attended graduate school at Chico State, focusing on psychology/counseling and art for special populations. She also received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology at Chico State.
Pineda’s art is sold to to private collectors through her business, Nora Pineda Ceramic and Sculpture. Pineda’s work is on display at Agora Gallery in New York City, the TAG Gallery in Los Angeles and at Knox Contemporary Art in Canada.
The Nora Pineda and Dayton Claudio exhibition will be shown at the Chico Art Center at 450 Orange St., Suite 6 until July 18. There will be an opening reception for the exhibit from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 21 at the art center. Claudio’s work can be found on his website at daytonclaudio.com.
