A striking new mural featuring a Northern Flicker in flight now graces the Indian Valley Academy campus of Plumas Charter School, adding a vivid artistic landmark that reflects local culture, landscape and the resilience of the community.

The mural — painted by PCS teacher and local artist Tina Thorman, who also creates under the name Trixie Hollyhox — depicts the colorful woodpecker flying in front of aspens with Keddie Ridge in the background. The imagery draws meaning from the region’s natural environment and deep cultural roots, honoring the bird’s sacred significance to the Mountain Maidu people and one of their important landscape features that is visible from the campus.

A time-lapse video of the mural’s creation captured Thorman at work, transforming the sketched wall into a vibrant celebration of place and identity. The video highlights her artistic process, demonstrating her creativity, patience and skill. You can watch the time-lapse here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tALErE8s-3Y

“This mural was a special opportunity to bring together art, culture and community,” Thorman said in a message to PCS. “Thank you to Plumas Charter School for asking me to paint this special mural. A special thanks goes to Beckett Joseph, one of my former students who helped me trace out the initial design on the wall.”

Thorman’s artistic career extends beyond her classroom role. At the PCS Quincy Learning Center, she teaches first grade while also maintaining her identity as an active artist in the community. Working under the name Trixie Hollyhox, she shares her artwork and creative projects through her website, hollyhoxpainting.com, and regularly contributes to the local arts community. Her work includes designing sets and costumes for local theater productions, hosting painting classes for community members and collaborating with Plumas Arts on regional arts initiatives. Through her art, Thorman blends natural and whimsical themes inspired by the surrounding landscape—an approach that also influences and inspires the students she teaches each day.

The Northern Flicker mural not only enhances the visual appeal of the IVA campus but also offers students and community members a daily reminder of the interconnectedness of culture, nature and learning. The choice of the flicker — a bird celebrated in Mountain Maidu tradition — alongside the iconic Keddie Ridge underscores the community’s shared heritage and the importance of honoring Indigenous perspectives and natural history.

IVA site director Ryan Schramel described the mural as a valuable addition to the school environment, saying it helps foster a sense of pride among the school community.

The mural now stands as a testament to the power of art in education and community spaces, bridging cultural history, natural beauty and student inspiration at Indian Valley Academy.