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BEHIND THE SCENES

A New Palette

Darcy Nelson is the first and only female tradeswoman on campus

If the color of your office brings to mind a dayroom in a mental hospital circa 1963, perhaps it's time to give painter Darcy Nelson, Facilities Management and Services, a jingle. Nelson winces at the memory of some of the colors she has rollered over on campus: bright yellow green (Holt Hall) and some "bad oranges and yellows." FMS' au courant palette includes silver streak (pale blue) accented with distinguished oxford blue trim. "People are always happy to see us," said Nelson, which is easy to believe.

Nelson, who was hired in 2001, is the first tradeswoman at CSU, Chico. Aside from very few openings in the department, Nelson said there just aren't enough qualified tradeswomen. "You don't find a lot of women journeypersons," she said.

Nelson completed a three-year apprenticeship that qualified her for the position. She was a self-employed painter and wallpaper installer for several years. "I only wish I'd hired Darcy 20 years ago," said her supervisor, Don Osborne.

Nelson loves to paint, but admits the prep work is tedious, and for the rest of the job, she recommends "patience, patience, and more patience."

Lisa Kirk