I was a member and teaching artist at Blue Line for approximately a year and a half. As an artist, I would not suggest donating your work, volunteering your time, or joining the membership until some serious changes happen at Blue Line. As a consumer, I would not suggest having an event or bringing your child to an art class at Blue Line.
During my employment more balls were dropped than picked up. Including a wedding at one point that was scheduled for the next day that no one was aware of until one or 2:00 in the afternoon the day prior. Lack of follow-through is the biggest issue at Blue Line. I was constantly sending emails, making phone calls, asking if they had followed through on their work and quite often it had been forgotten until I reached out. I want to say they are experiencing the same lack of follow-through from other nonprofits as I did with them. The whole system is broken unfortunately with the grant funds staying in the hands of the nonprofits and not truly making it back into the community.
Unfortunately, due to a conversation with the director in April, I've been told things are not going to change. They are aware of the issues but they are also aware that they will continue. I am deeply saddened at the fact that I shared so many artists with Blue Line that were all hugely disappointed with their interactions as well. The artist is not the focal point at Blue Line like it should be. There is not a whole lot of appreciation for the hours days, months that go into the work that is donated to Blue Line. Blue lines bottom line is the focal point. Which is hugely disappointing for an art gallery. But is showing in the small donations and slimmed attendance to classes which are down due to the issues at Blue Line.
Further more the lack of attention to diversity in art has also been a huge issue that I've noticed and even attempted to discuss with a coworker. (Unaware of current shows speaking of my knowledge of 2019-2023 shows) Lots of 50+ white men and women being chosen for residency and shows. Zero awareness when it comes to culturally appropriated art. If it's not their culture you shouldn't be hosting a showcase for that artist.
Being an artist , member and a volunteer at Blue Line Arts gallery gives me a triple joy to stick with this amazing and constantly moving forward organization. Blue Line enthusiastically works in direction of supporting the art in the community. With the variety of art exhibitions, classes, workshops, residencies and many more exciting events this organizations has become a top notch not profit place for arts.
Previous Stories
This gallery reaches artists and collectors of all ages. They have a large variety of shows and classes. Very professional with quality all around.
Blue Line Arts has been a great community builder in the Roseville-Sacramento areas, serving the community in one way or another for the last 50 years, and is always trying to learn and change as the art community shifts and changes. They provide the most artist opportunities in Roseville, and make non-artist art-lovers feel warmly welcomed.
A local institution of more than 50 years enjoying a fresh new energy under its current co-directors, Blue Line Arts is a great organization building community around the arts in Old Roseville via an ever-changing lineup of quality (free!) exhibitions, art classes for children and adults, artist talks, artist meet-ups, and more. It also has active volunteer and internship programs, creating community service and on-the-job training opportunities for artistically-inclined college and high school students in the area.
Roseville, Placer County, and the Greater Sacramento area are lucky to have it.