2011 INAUGURAL ARTS AND CULTURE CELEBRATION

JANUARY 2, 2011 – CARSON CITY, NEVADA

Carson City, Nev. Carson City’s vibrant arts and cultural sector opens its doors to the public to celebrate Nevada’s 2011 Inauguration. Participants can enjoy a wealth of activities—from visual arts and history exhibits, demonstrations by traditional artists representing Nevada’s ranching and Native American communities, and dance and musical presentations—to creative activities for children of all ages and unique shopping opportunities.

The Nevada Arts Council has assisted the Inaugural Committee in developing activities for the day and scheduling artists for the stroll and showcase. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the arts in general, and specifically, to focus on the breadth of arts and cultural organizations in our Capital City,” said Susan Boskoff, Arts Council director.

INAUGURAL ARTS + CULTURE STROLL – FREE TO THE PUBLIC – 1:00 – 5:00 P. M.

Nevada Arts Council – 716 N. Carson Street (south side entrance)
The exhibit “Exploring Boundaries,” featuring photographs by Las Vegas artist Linda Alterwitz, is on display in the Arts Council’s Carson City gallery. Alterwitz’s multi-layered images of scientific and natural landscapes are subtle collages that captivate. Jazz by ‘Two Plus’ with Dan Lancaster on sax/flute/clarinet, and Kevin Tokarz on keyboard.

Nevada State Museum – 600 N. Carson Street (enter through Dema Guinn Concourse)
Permanent exhibits on Nevada’s natural and cultural history as well as changing exhibit “Smoke and Shadow: An Exploration of Nevada Landscapes” featuring work by Patricia Wallis. Demonstrations by traditional artists Doug Groves, rawhide braiding; Rosemary Rogers de Soto, horsehair basket making; and Jeff Myers, Western lariat, baskets and leatherwork. The Gallery Store is open.

Brewery Arts Center – 449 W. King Street
The Brewery Arts Center presents demonstrations by traditional artists Sue Coleman, Washo basket making and Mike Williams, tule duck decoy making; and performances by the BAC Stage Kids and Chinese Dance by Xian Na “Sonia” Carlson. The Artist Association Gallery and Artisans’ Cafe Store are both open.

Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada – 813 N. Carson Street
Museum exhibits and programs focus on the arts, sciences, and humanities, and are based on Nevada educational standards, current and historical culture, or kinetic movement. Entertaining for youth ages two to teens, and their families.

Great Basin Gallery and Frame – 110 S. Curry Street
Currently displaying landscapes by Jeff Nicholson and Jean Legassick, and hand-painted photographs of wild horses by Paula Morin. The gallery also features turn-of-the-century and contemporary artists of the western region, limited edition fine art prints and posters and historical photographs.

The BRIC (Business Resource Innovation Center) & Capital City Arts Initiative – 108 E. Proctor Street
A new business branch of the Carson Library, the BRIC presents Carson City ‘celebrities’ reading stories for all ages and music by Hick’ry Switch, an alternative bluegrass band. BRIC’s resident partner, the Capital City Arts Initiative, features its current exhibit, “Art in the BRIC I,” with paintings, prints, quilts and sculpture by northern Nevada artists.

PERFORMING ARTS SHOWCASE – BREWERY ARTS CENTER – 2:30 – 4:00 P.M.
A limited number of tickets are free to the public. For reservations, call Kristi at 775-883-1976, ext. 116.

RECEPTION
The Sierra Nevada Balalaika Society
The Society preserves the musical and cultural heritage of Eastern Europe, while educating our youth and community to of this distinctive culture.

SHOWCASE
Emily Orellana
A 17-year-old junior at Reno’s Rainshadow Community Charter High School, Emily Orellana has been Nevada’s state champion of the Poetry Out Loud statewide competition for the past two years; coming in ninth at the 2010 National Competition in Washington D.C. She performs her own remarkable poetry as a member of Spoken Views.

The Note-Ables
With a mission to raise awareness that creativity knows no bounds, regardless of age or ability, the Note-Ables provides music programs and music therapy services for children and adults with disabilities throughout Northern Nevada. The Note-Ables’ performing group is the only one of its kind in our state, and one of only a few in the nation. Performing throughout Nevada and northeastern California, the group has released two CDs of original songs. Performers: Phillip Alameda, Farida Banu, Mark Geeson, Michael Lahnala, Frank Mackin, Tony Martin, Rebecca Shipley, Stephon Van Dyke and Manal Toppozada.

Richard Elloyan
Cowboy poet and songwriter Richard Elloyan recently released his fourth CD “Back In Heaven.” a compilation of lyrical and visually graphic stories of the modern West. Gathering inspiration from his travels throughout Nevada as an Environmental Health Specialist, Virginia City native Elloyan creates stories and songs that depict the American West and those who live here.

Reno Youth Jazz Combo
A quintet formed for today’s celebration, the combo is comprised of students from Reno and Sparks in grades 8 – 12. All are members of the Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra, established in 2006 to provide the top middle and high school musicians in Northern Nevada opportunities to study, preserve and perform Jazz. Performers: Joey Grimes, piano; Davis Goicoechea, bass; Matt McClintock, drums; Austin Dreher, alto sax and Connor Farrell, trumpet.

Jim Winn
Dr. James (Jim) Winn, piano and composition professor at UNR since 1997, made his debut with the Denver Symphony at the age of thirteen. An active recording artist, Winn is featured on dozens of CDs. He has received an Artist Fellowship in composition from the Nevada Arts Council, the 2007 Award for Creative Activity from Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, and the 2009 Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. Winn is known for his improvisations on stage, creating compositions with the assistance and delight of audience members.

Vivo Mexico Dance Company
Mexico Vivo and its artistic director Ixela Gutierrez received a 2007 Governor’s Arts Award for Excellence in Folk and Traditional Arts and the 2009 Nevada Heritage Award from the Nevada Arts Council, which honors Nevada’s finest and most influential master folk artists. The Las Vegas based company performs a broad repertory of folk dances representing Mexico’s diversity of regions, cultures and history. Performers: Kristyn Rojas, Vanessa Oliva, Priscila Venzor, Jonathan Venzor, Martin Venzor, Lesly Vergara and Antonio Toscano.

The Nevada Arts Council is a division of the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs. The Department serves Nevada’s citizens and visitors through cultural and information management, preservation and promotion of cultural resources, and education. The Department also includes the Division of Museums and History, State Historic Preservation Office, State Library and Archives, Comstock Historic District Commission, Literacy Coalition, and the Commission for Cultural Affairs. For more information, visit the department’s website at www.NevadaCulture.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 28, 2010
Contact: Susan Boskoff 775-687-6800