New sculpture near Nellis Air Force Base

A new aviation-themed sculpture, the Nellis Absolute Ceiling Project, is being installed near the gateway to the Nellis Air Force Base, north of Las Vegas. It’s 130 feet long, with 22 twisting, cobalt blue columns and a bright orange central pylon, and bright green metal yuccas. The artist, Robert Spencer Davidson, is the designer of “Lady Liberty” at the New York, New York Hotel & Casino and was the lead sculptor for the “Great Sphinx” head at the Luxor Hotel & Casino. Installation is expected to be completed by the end of May.

Tuscarora Pottery School celebration announced for June

The Tuscarora Pottery School will kick off its 2021 summer season with a 55th anniversary celebration from 10am-4pm Saturday, June 19. The event features a retrospective exhibition of the work of TPS founder Dennis Parks, ​and a raffle of artwork by Dennis Parks, Ben Parks, Goedele VanHille, Elaine Parks, Gail Rappa, Ron Arthaud, Jerry Hendershot and more.

The event also includes pottery throwing demonstrations, a glaze-your-own, raku fundraiser, live music, history tours, and cemetery tours. Jerry Snyder and I will be there to dish up our famous chili. More info here.

Arts reawakening celebration + candlelight vigil next Sat. in Reno

Sierra Arts Foundation will host a gathering in Reno City Plaza Saturday next Saturday, May 22nd at 7 p.m. Executive Director Tracey Oliver’s invitation to the public reads, “I humbly request that you join me and others for a moment of reflection and hope as we acknowledge what our arts community has endured these past 14 months, and the hurdles we still have to overcome.” The event will feature live music, guest speakers, a community blessing by Ray Valdez, and a candle lighting ceremony. More info here.

2022 Cowboy Poetry Gathering announced in Elko

The Western Folklife Center announced this week that the 38th National Cowboy Poetry Gathering will take place in Elko Jan. 24-29, 2022. The theme is “Keeping the West Wild.” Plans for the festival’s visual arts offerings have not yet been announced. The WFC’s webpage says, “For the 2022 Gathering, we invite western poets, songwriters, artists, artisans, and land stewards to bring new and old stories to light as they endeavor to create a West that hosts healthy and hospitable landscapes and agriculture-based communities.” More info here.

Shuttered venues grant applications still open 

From a May 11 email from Arts Action Fund Director Nina Ozlu Tunceli, who had just attended the Small Business Administration’s update on the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. “SBA has now received 11,600 SVOG submitted applications. Since last week, new submissions are averaging 200 per day. SBA stated that there are still ample funds available and they highly encourage all eligible performing arts organizations, venues, museums, movie theaters, producers and talent representatives to still apply. … While the application portal does not currently have a closing date, it’s advisable to submit your application by the end of May.” More info here.

Posted by Kris Vagner

Kris Vagner is Double Scoop’s Editor & Publisher.