Icons of Art - famous in our hearts

LARRY ORTIZ - was a founding member of the Auburn Arts Center (ARTcetera) and served as the Executive Director from 1989 to 1996. He was responsible for the establishment of the Autumn Studio Tour, the Auburn Art Walk, Music in the Park, Arts in the Schools and gallery space for visual and performing artists. He also formed county and state partnerships for support and fundraising for the arts. He worked with Anthony Maki Gill to renovate the 10,000-square-foot building in downtown Auburn, which was home for ARTcetera/Arts Council for several years before it became the General Gomez Event Center. A renowned ceramic artist, he is an adjunct faculty member at Sierra College.

TAMRA ROGERS - a piano and voice teacher for more than 30 years, she is the owner of Tamraloo Studios, voted Lincoln and Sacramento’s best music instruction studio for six years in a row. Currently, she serves as CEO and Artistic Director of The Stage theater company. She has accompanied multiple church, community and university choirs as well as conducted children’s and adult choirs in the Pacific Northwest and Northern California as well as coached vocalists throughout the area. A graduate of William Jessup University, she performed in Jessup’s production of The Secret Garden as well as serving as musical director offstage.

DICK KETELLE - After retirement from a career in teaching and professional photography, Dick Ketelle focused on nature and landscape photography, specializing in panorama and nighttime photography. He won numerous accolades, including first and second place awards from the Oak Ridge Camera Club and SANP Salons. He served for more than 35 years as the Oak Ridge Chief Geologist and Groundwater Expert. He taught at Bella Vista High School for many years. Towards the end of his career, he also taught classes at Sun City Lincoln Hills. (D-2021)

GLADDING MCBEAN - Lincoln’s historic Gladding McBean plant was home of the prestigious Feats of Clay, an international ceramic art competition for 24 years. The prestigious art show attracted artists from throughout the world. Works were displayed throughout the plant, including the historic beehive ovens used for baking the terra cotta products. In 1875, after reading an article in a San Francisco newspaper about a large clay deposit near Lincoln, Charles Gladding along with Peter McGill McBean and George Chambers established Gladding, McBean. Its original product was clay sewer pipe. By 1883, the company had grown to 75 employees and evolved into a major manufacturer of architectural terra cotta.

This is the seventh in our series of recognizing 40 icons of art who have had a significant and important impact on Placer County arts and culture. The Arts Council of Placer County is proud to celebrate 40 years, and to honor these people and places as a part of this milestone.

These are shared with you in no particular order, and this list is only a small portion of those who create and help make our community thrive.

Thanks to everyone who helps bring more art to more people!

Give these honorees a "like" on our social media, and congratulate them!

Click on photos for more info.