Image: Museum of Northern California Art, Chico
The Museum of Northern California Art in Chico is set to open two exhibitions on August 13: 'Through Another Lens' and 'Inner Worlds: Shadows, Borderlands and Untold Stories'. Both shows run through September 27, 2026, and monca will mark the opening with a free reception on August 14 from 6 to 8 p.m., with a no-host bar available.
'Through Another Lens' is produced by the Disability Action Center and monca. According to the museum’s exhibition statement, the project features creative works by community members with disabilities and is intended to bring education and awareness about disability advocacy and independent living into the gallery. The exhibition includes individual and collaborative works by artists of different ages and organizations.
A central component of the show is a healing Totem Project from the Brain Injury Coalition, guided by teaching artist Christine MacShane. monca says the exhibition also includes contributions from Valerie Tafolla Rose, Stonebridge Counseling, and WTC, with the museum crediting the project as organized by monca and supported in part by the Disability Action Center. The exhibition page also notes a special acknowledgment to Miller Glass for the use of a windowpane in an interactive experience facilitated by Valerie Tafolla Rose.
The companion exhibition, 'Inner Worlds: Shadows, Borderlands and Untold Stories', presents work by Daniel Penner Cline. monca’s description says the series of paintings draws on his background as a writer and explores the early stages of storytelling and world-building. The museum characterizes the work as an invitation into a twilight realm in which the local becomes ancient and the viewer helps complete the meaning of the images.
monca’s website lists the museum’s address as 900 Esplanade in Chico, where the institution says it serves Chico and Northern California communities through art, expression, social cohesion, innovation and communication. The exhibitions appear as part of the museum’s current and upcoming programming, alongside other August events on the calendar.
Before the exhibitions open, monca will host a concert by Lansana Kouyaté with local musicians and Nefertiti’s Dozen on August 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. The museum describes Kouyaté as a master musician and virtuoso of the bala of balafon, and says the performance will feature traditional music from Guinea, West Africa. The month’s public schedule also includes the exhibition opening reception on August 14, a Nature Center Ice Cream Social on August 15, and 'Tipsy Talents Paint & Sip' on August 28.
