Art Center, museum and library offer programs

The kickoff of a fundraiser for The Arts Center, formerly the Rising Sun Gallery, begins this weekend with a Paint and Wine Night.

Participants can either register for either a Friday or Saturday class that runs from 6-9 p.m. at the fairgrounds multi-purpose building.

Founder and local artisan Pat Sammons said the class costs $35 per person and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Sammons said families are encouraged to attend one of the sessions.

“We have a good painting program for each night,” she said.

Each class requires a minimum of 15 students, and Sammons said she is keeping her fingers crossed for meeting enrollment.

“We’re hopeful to reach the minimum number,” she said.

Sammons said The Art Center is now partners with both the Churchill County Parks and Recreation Department and the Fallon campus of Western Nevada College to expand their programs so that more people can enjoy different aspects of the arts.

According to Sammons, “there will be a wide variety of paints with different mediums to allow you a chance to create one or two masterpieces to bring home with you.”

In addition to the painting classes, Sammons said The Arts Center and EWNC will present calligraphy beginning on March 28 and extending through April 18. The Monday night classes will be from 6-8 p.m.

Cathy Main will be the instructor, and the class fee is $206.

To register for the weekend arts classes, individuals can either register at the Parks and Recreation office at 325 Sheckler Road or call 775-423-7733 and use a credit card to pay registration. Sammons said registration must be completed prior to the class.

SPRING LECTURE SERIES

The Churchill County Museum’s spring lecture series begins Tuesday.

It will be held Tuesdays through April 12 from 6:30-8 p.m. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.

The theme for this series is “Home Means Nevada” and will feature presentations focusing on unique perspectives about our “home” — in one sense or another — in Nevada.

The first presenter is Christina Thomas. She is of Paiute, Shoshone and Hopi descent and grew up on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Indian Reservation. She is the youngest teacher of the Paiute language in Washoe County School District, previously served as the youngest member of her tribe’s Cultural Committee and founded the girls’ youth group, Native Butterflies.

She is an alumnus of the prestigious Americans for Indian Opportunity Ambassadors Program, and is the winner of the 2012 Beauty on a Mission award from Miss Humanity International and the recipient of 2013 Governor’s Points of Light Award for her work with her community and preserving her culture. She is also featured at the Pyramid Lake Museum as the youngest emerging leader of her people.

Thomas is an accomplished traditional singer and dancer who has performed for First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Sen. Harry Reid and Gov. Brian Sandoval, among others, and has been featured on local television shows and in numerous print articles, both nationally and internationally.

Thomas will share her rich knowledge insight into her people’s heritage including focus on the Paiute language, traditional stories and local foods and plants. She will also discuss the history of the Great Basin native people and provide unique perspectives on contemporary American Indian issues.

ART EXHIBIT

Churchill County Library is featuring the oil paintings of Kami Fielder through the end of the month.

Fielder, who began painting about 13 years ago, said she likes the colors of most subjects.

“The colors drive me to paint,” she said.

Many of her paintings on display at the library are rich in color.