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Wally’s World: The Loneliest Planet art collection in Nevada Comes to OXS Gallery

 

08 17 15 Arthaud Ron Late Morning Eureka Nevada image

Aug. 17, 2015

A portion of the extraordinary art collection of Wally Cuchine, former director of the Eureka Opera House, is featured in “Wally’s World” at the Nevada Arts Council’s OXS Gallery through Sept. 18. The public is invited to join the council from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14 for an exhibit reception and collector’s talk. Cuchine’s discussion of his art collection begins at 6:15 p.m. The exhibit and reception are free.

For more than two decades, residents in rural Nevada have experienced a breadth of quality cultural events thanks to Cuchine’s personal passion for the arts. As director of the Eureka Opera House for more than 18 years, Cuchine consistently presented first-class entertainment to residents and visitors. Known for his commitment to and support of artists, and his unswerving faith that the art and artists of Nevada are a valuable resource, he has acquired an unparalleled personal collection of Nevada art.

Cuchine brought a unique art pursuit with him to Eureka. He arrived with his own gallery. Beginning in 1978 with an 18-foot travel trailer, he expanded, finally with a 14 x 60-foot Charter Mobile Home. Cuchine hung art in every available nook and cranny in each of them. Cuchine estimates his art collection at 1,500 to 2,000 works. A small fraction of the collection is represented in Wally’s World—35 works. “Wally’s World” is a testament to one person’s tenacity in expressing his passion for art. His collection and the exhibition are a generous gift to the state.

The complete “Wally’s World” is part of the Nevada Touring Initiative – Traveling Exhibition Program, and is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Nevada State Legislature. The Nevada Arts Council is a division of the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. The OXS gallery is at 716 N Carson St., Suite A, in Carson City. OXS is managed by the NAC Artist Services Program, and is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (775) 687-6680 for more information.

Exhibit artists include: Ron Arthaud, Lyle V. Ball, Cheryln Bennett, Ralph Bennett, Max Bunnell, Thelma Calhoun, Robert Cole Caples, Mary Chadwell, Diane Dunn, Mary Lee Fulkerson, Ruth Hilts, Larry Jacox, James Lawrence, Jean Legassick, Laverne Lightfoot, Gary Link, Barbara Maclean, Sharon Maczko, Jack Malotte, Jim McCormick, Marilyn R. Melton, Jeff Nicholson, Ron Oden, Dennis Parks, Mimi Patrick, Nancy Peppin, Brent Perkins, Roy Powers, Barbara Prodaniuk, Shirley Shaft, Annabelle Shelly, Craig Sheppard, Sidne Teske, Wally Wallace and Larry Williamson. Gallery Notes essay is by exhibit curator, Jim McCormick.