posted: January 10, 2012

Even small towns that you have lived in for years hold secrets just when you thought that you knew every nook and cranny of the place. Such is the just opened  Haven Underground, a 4,000 Sq Ft  underground night club and exhibition space that was built during the California Gold Rush. The space sits squarely under the heavily touristed Broad Street in Nevada City, Ca. This space holds a few secrets with it's locked up underground iron doors that rumor says, "lead all around under the city with trap doors entering some of the oldest buildings in the 4 square block downtown". I love the history and the mystery of the space.

During the weekend the Haven will be  featuring many speaking engagements and the after hour parties including music during SYRCL's, Wild & Scenic Film Festival. A weekend pass includes access to all films including a Saturday evening with Amy Goodman at the Veterans Hall. This will be a great weekend of inspiring environmentalism and sustainability leadership.

I will be having a 3 day show of my environmentally inspired art portraying unique and endangered creatures that have been impacted by our modern industrialized world. This exhibit has been organized by the Nevada County Arts.

I will be showing a selection of work from my,  "Save Them All" exhibit created for the Sea Turtle Restoration Project and other curious creatures such as the Red Titi Monkey,  Electric Eel,  Pretty Polly and the Pufferfish.

Richard Downs & Jude Bischoff
The Haven Underground
January 12 - February 8, 2012
Artists reception January 13,  4-7pm