Sophia Ochoa stands with her piece, “Man Eater,” during the Marysville High School art show reception April 17 in Yuba City at the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts.

 

YUBA CITY, CA (MPG) - While not quite finished, the Sutter Theater Center’s second stage has already emerged as one of the more distinctive art venues in town. Attendees at the Marysville High School art show April 17 noted the grungy, underground vibe of the space, enhanced by a set of live jazz musicians.

Works on display ranged from pottery and photography to vibrant paintings and realistic charcoal sketches, highlighting the breadth of the school’s visual arts program and the creative range of its students. For art teacher Yesenia Cachu, the showcase also marked a new chapter.

“This is our first show here,” said Cachu, who teaches Art 1 through AP Art at Marysville High School. “We had a show before, but it changed and transitioned with different teachers. I started it up again last year, and this year we’re including everything, ceramics, photography as well.”

Visitors view student artwork during the Marysville High School art show reception April 17 in Yuba City at the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts.

Cachu said one of her favorite aspects of teaching is introducing students to the artists behind different styles and techniques while encouraging them to develop their own voice.

“It’s about exposing them to different artists and different backgrounds. I’d say that’s one of the things I enjoy the most,” she said.

That approach was evident throughout the show, where student work reflected a wide range of cultural influences and personal interpretations. Cachu said lessons often incorporate diverse artistic traditions, from Black History Month to Asian American and Hispanic heritage studies, helping students connect their work to a broader context.

Student ceramics are displayed during the Marysville High School art show reception April 17 in Yuba City, highlighting the range of mediums taught in the program.

“There’s an artist from Los Angeles I met a few years back who does yarn work, and some of my students started experimenting with that, along with mosaic art, to create their own take on that style,” she said.

For advanced students, the focus shifts toward deeper exploration and originality.

“In AP, they have to create their own subjects and characters,” Cachu said. “There needs to be symbolism and transformation, some kind of evolution in their work, whether it’s in the medium or the meaning.”

Several student pieces on display reflected that growth. Cachu pointed to one sophomore, Akira, as an example of how students can evolve beyond their comfort zones.

“She came into my class doing only black-and-white anime and told me, ‘I hate color,’” Cachu said. “But after working through different projects, she started experimenting, and now she’s choosing color for her own work.”

A mixed-media piece by Marysville High School student Akira is displayed during the art show reception April 17 in Yuba City at the Sutter Theater Center for the Arts. Teacher Yesenia Cachu noted the student’s shift from black-and-white work to bold color.

Other students, such as Sophia Ochoa, have developed distinct thematic approaches. Ochoa’s pieces, which incorporate zombie-inspired imagery and vintage aesthetics, explore deeper ideas about identity and perception.

“My sustained investigation is about how I can show cultural expectations, including political ideas,” Ochoa said. “This piece is more about how girls can be seen as lustful. It’s not meant to be gross, but to explore that perception.”

Ochoa said the supportive classroom environment has been key to her growth.

“It’s my favorite class. You build friendships and get honest feedback on your work,” she said.

Attendees browse artwork as musicians perform during the Marysville High School art show reception April 17 in Yuba City at the Sutter Theater Center.

Another standout, AP student Elena, has expanded her work across multiple mediums while exploring themes of freedom and constraint. Her pieces, centered on imagery of birds, reflect a personal investigation into feeling “caged” and seeking escape.

“She went from more typical drawing to asking, ‘Can I do sculpture?’ and I said, ‘Yeah, why not?’” Cachu said. “That’s what we want, for them to explore and evolve.”

For students such as Ochoa, seeing that work displayed publicly adds another layer of meaning and affirmation. As the second stage continues to take shape, the space has already proven itself as more than just a work in progress, offering a fitting backdrop for a new generation of artists finding their voice.