Folsom, Granite Bay and Rocklin, Calif. – (Oct. 9, 2026) – Highlighting its commitment to community-focused banking, SAFE Credit Union is investing in the futures of emerging area art students by displaying their work at its newest branch in Granite Bay.
Through a partnership between the credit union and Sierra College, the branch will regularly rotate the work of featured artists in the branch’s Financial Freedom Hub community room.
“We are so excited to provide a space for budding area artists to showcase their talents and hard work,” says SAFE Credit Union Chief Operating Officer Tiffani Vargas. “Supporting and celebrating our community is at the heart of who SAFE Credit Union is, and we are proud to provide local artists with a place to share their work. Featuring artwork by Sierra College students is a meaningful way for SAFE to shine a light on their talent.”
The first installment of works now featured at the branch are several tactile works by Sierra College art student Laura Brush of Grass Valley.
Brush’s series “Homecoming,” featuring seven 2D mixed textiles, celebrates things made by hand in the “age of AI,” she says.
“It’s nice they are taking the time and investing into the students and helping to get us and our work out into the world a little more,” Brush says, whose work was featured in the college’s annual art Hallberg Merit Award Exhibition in 2025 as an award recipient.
Sierra College Associate Dean of Liberal Arts Maria Villaseñor shared her endorsement for the partnership.
“Opportunities like this give our students the chance to take their work beyond the classroom and engage with the broader community,” says Villaseñor. “We appreciate SAFE Credit Union creating a space where our students can share their creativity, gain experience exhibiting their work and see themselves as part of the region’s creative community.”
Brush said that helping with the installation, measuring and finding the “middle line” of the gallery space further enhanced her art education.
“Art should be on display in relation to where viewers are standing,” she says she learned and applied in the branch space. “We need to be aware of what they will see when they first come into the room.”
Granite Bay Branch Manager Marcus Webb says members are taking notice of Brush’s work.
“Members appreciate seeing local talent showcased in our branch,” Webb says. “They love the aesthetic it provides and comment on how cool it is to have collaborated with Sierra College.”
SAFE plans to feature the work by two Sierra College student photographers in the space next.
For more information email [email protected].
SAFE Credit Union and Sierra College partner to shine a light on emerging artists.
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About SAFE
SAFE Credit Union has made members an integral part of its vision since 1940. Over the years the credit union has kept the focus on what really matters, putting members first, a formula that has seen SAFE grow into a leading financial
institution in Northern California with $4.3 billion in assets and about 244,000 members. SAFE crafts every cutting-edge product and sterling service with members’ needs foremost in mind. In addition to banking services conveniently
available through online, chat, mobile, or phone options, SAFE offers in-person services for members and small businesses at service centers across the Greater Sacramento region. SAFE is a not-for-profit, state-chartered credit union
with membership open to businesses and individuals living or working in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo, El Dorado, Sutter, Butte, Nevada, Solano, San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Yuba, Amador, and Alameda counties. Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.
Insured by NCUA. www.safecu.org
About Sierra College
Sierra College is rising to the needs of our community. Sierra College serves 3,200 square miles of Northern California with campuses in Rocklin, Grass Valley and Truckee. With approximately 125 degree and certificate programs, Sierra College is ranked first in Northern California (Sacramento north) for transfers to four-year universities, offers career/technical training, and classes for upgrading job skills. Sierra graduates can be found in businesses and industries throughout the region. More information at www.sierracollege.edu.