The 5 Best Local Artists Around Truckee/North Lake Tahoe Region

Art reflects identity, and in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee, local artists bring that identity to life with every brushstroke, clay coil and melody. The Best of North Lake Tahoe and Truckee celebrate creators who anchor community character — and each of these finalists channel regional inspiration into their work. From vibrant landscapes and handcrafted pottery to chill, stage-ready grooves, the area's arts scene proves creativity has many forms.

Kelley Werner – Kelley Werner Arts

Kelley Werner paints what she knows — wide Sierra vistas, shoreline cliffs and sunlit forests. After moving to Tahoe Vista full time in 2012, she shifted from teaching art in schools to painting expressive-realism landscapes almost exclusively. Her process combines oil and watercolor, whether she’s out plein air near Bristlecone Beach or in her home studio. Werner is active in the local arts world — showing her work at North Tahoe Arts Center, belonging to the Sierra Watercolor Society and exhibiting with California galleries. Prints of her originals, along with cards and stickers, appear in shops across Kings Beach, Tahoe City and Truckee. For her, art isn’t just a career — it’s a lifelong exploration of place, learning and light.

Brad Henry – Brad Henry Pottery

Clay has been Brad Henry’s companion since he discovered it during college. Now based in Truckee, he makes functional pottery — mugs, bowls, dinnerware — each piece spun, glazed and fired in his home studio-gallery. His work balances utility and artistry; a mug’s handle feels good, its glaze feels intentional and each swirl feels natural. Visitors to his studio can browse a changing inventory daily and even request custom commissions. Henry’s dedication to craftsmanship shows in every curve and finish — and in the way he encourages patrons to “try something new,” whether that means lighting designs or custom orders.

Pipe Down

When the pandemic hit in spring 2021, a chill, groove-based band formed on Tahoe’s North Shore. That band is Pipe Down, a quintet blending California reggae, indie rock and hip hop. Fronted by Donny Beck, the group fuses laid-back rhythms with positive vibes — talent that helped them record a 2023 EP, "Vagabond," and earn local buzz through pop-up concerts at Heritage Plaza, Homewood and restaurants around Tahoe City. With guitar, bass, drums, keys and percussion rolling together, the band creates live music that encourages nodding heads and relaxed connection. More than a local act, Pipe Down is proof that creativity thrives even in unexpected times.

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