Gallery East & West

“Center of the Known Universe” 

Friends of Black Rock High Rock 

McKinley Arts & Culture Center  
Gallery West  

November 11 – December 6, 2024 
Reception, Thursday, November 15th, 2024, 5pm to 7pm   

 

The phrase "Center of the Known Universe," seen on the sign welcoming visitors to Gerlach, captures the creative journeys of this year’s Friends of Black Rock High Rock Black Rock Desert Artists in Residence, Alyssa Cumpton and Bobby Lee. For Alyssa, leaving behind her usual life allowed her to focus on what truly mattered, drawing her closer to the heart of the "universe" by eliminating distractions. She views the universe as a space for exploration and new experiences. Similarly, Bobby Lee’s time in the Black Rock Desert, rich with geological history, felt like an exploration of something ancient, vast, and mysterious, much like the universe itself. In both cases, Gerlach serves as the starting point for these creative explorations. 

Bobby Lee is a photographer and book artist with a deep interest in landscape, nature, and the concept of place. Alyssa Cumpton is an artist based in Elko, Nevada, known for her work in painting, photography, writing, murals, and sidewalk chalk art.  

The Friends of Black Rock-High Rock is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and stewardship of the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area.

They work to protect the area's unique landscapes, cultural heritage, and ecological resources through education, advocacy, and volunteer efforts.

 

“Echoes of Expression”  
Indian Arts & Cultural Center of Northern Nevada

McKinley Arts & Culture Center  
Gallery East  

November 11 – December 6, 2024 
Reception, Thursday, November 15th, 2024, 5pm to 7pm   

Indian Arts & Cultural Center of Northern Nevada invites you to “Echoes of Expression” to explore the rich spectrum of Indian canvas painting, showcasing the vibrant traditions of classical and tribal art alongside the innovative expressions of contemporary artists. This exhibition celebrates the unique techniques, vibrant colors, and themes that characterize Indian art, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in a visual journey.

The exhibition features artists: Monika R. Naga, Sravya Gunda, Nikhita K, Bahar Patel and Mangalya Maria D'Souza

Explore the rich diversity of Indian art through its traditional, tribal, and modern expressions. Traditional artforms including Kerala Mural, Kalamkari, and Pattachitra with vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and spiritual themes, reflecting India's deep cultural and historical roots. Tribal arts and folk expressions, including Kurumba, Gond, Madhubani, and Phad, use natural pigments and simple tools to depict the beliefs, practices, and close connection with nature of indigenous communities. Meanwhile, modern Indian artists creatively reinterpret traditional styles, blending old and new techniques to express evolving identities and challenge conventions. Across all these forms, the exhibition captures a wide range of themes—from the peaceful landscapes of rural life to the energy of urban life—offering insight into love, spirituality, nature, and social issues.

Past Exhibitions

 

McKinley Arts & Culture Center

925 Riverside Drive
Reno, Nevada 89503

Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:00pm

Free of charge and open to the public.

Email City of Reno Galleries or call City of Reno Arts and Culture at 775-334-6264 for