Chad Lundquist/Nevada Appeal Mimi Patrick, president of the board of trustees for St Mary's Art Center, repaints a wall in one of the rooms Wednesday at the historic Virginia City building.
VIRGINIA CITY - Visitors at St. Mary's Art Center can enjoy wireless Internet and the historic ambiance of the 132-year-old building. But then they'll freeze in the winter and burn up in the summer.
Linda Nazemian, art center executive director, said the 55 N. R St. center has all the character of grandma's house - plus all of its problems. Once used as a hospital and then neglected for about 25 years, St. Mary's is now used as a gallery and artists' retreat.
The building stands aloof from Virginia City, seemingly on its own island behind a long green lawn that's frosted over for the winter. Morning light slanted through the windows as volunteers painted molding in a guest bedroom on the second floor. Renovating St. Mary's has become a labor of devotion for several of the women.
"I go from painting here to making pottery over at my home," said Mimi Patrick, an art instructor and president of the board. "I've been here every day for the past three weeks demolishing and painting."
While they're working Nazemian is strategizing. She has about three months to raise $35,000. She's not sleeping at night. St. Mary's Art Center received a National Parks Service grant through the county to repair and renovate all the things Nazemian has been itching to do for years. To get the $35,000 grant they have to match it.
"The pressure is on," Nazemian said. "We don't want to lose this money. We don't want it going someplace else because we need it so badly."
The building needs thermostats and new drywall in several rooms. She said the ventilation problems can get extreme. The heat either blows them out the windows or they freeze. Renovation continues on the attic, which will be converted to six artist lofts and a gallery, which will then need light fixtures.
The executive director believes they will exceed the goal.
"We already have $4,000 and we have our Brush Strokes Art Adventure coming up, which is going to really energize and mobilize the campaign," she said.
The art adventure includes a silent auction that Nazemian expects will raise $20,000.
St. Mary's Art Center is one of the finest examples of a 19th-century hospital west of the Mississippi, she said. At the time it included fully equipped operating rooms, hot and cold running water and gas lights. Designers even imported handmade carpeting from Belgium.
"St. Mary's Art Center is a flag ship of the art community," said Ron James, state historic preservation officer. "It's a wonderful building, and we need to help them."
The Fourth Ward School recently raised $11,000 as part of a funding challenge. The board raised it in about a week, James said.
• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.
A benefit for St. Mary's
What: Brush Strokes Art Adventure
When: April 14
Where: The art center, 55 N. R St.
Features: Silent auction of art work and special center group packages
information: 847-7774
What is St. Mary's Art Center?
For the last 43 years the center has provided a residence and retreat for artists from across the country. Instructors conduct workshops for professionals or special events for aspiring artists.
The center is open May to October from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday for docent-led tours. The center also has open studios.
St. Mary's Hospital was one of the finest examples of a 19th-century hospital west of the Mississippi. It included fully equipped operating rooms, hot and cold running water and gas lights. Designers even imported handmade carpeting from Belgium.