Cultural Commission to review murals planned for public property

With the second annual Carson City Murals and Music Festival slated for Sept. 26-28, those on the city’s Cultural Commission will get a chance to review two murals planned for public property.

The Cultural Commission meets 5:30 p.m. Monday in the community center board room, 851 E. William St.

“Most of the murals will be painted on walls belonging to private owners. However, two public walls owned by Carson City have been identified as potential sites: the exterior south-facing wall of the Carson City Community Center and an interior wall of the senior center,” reads the agenda.

According to a staff report, the senior center received a private donation “to update the courtyard area in memory of a senior who passed away and was a regular attendee of the senior center and loved the outdoors.”

“The project includes having a functional water fountain, live flowers, and seating areas. The donor reviewed the proposed mural design and agreed the design was in line with their vision of the courtyard project,” reads the report. “The senior center's nonprofit governing board voted (4-0) to send a recommendation to the Cultural Commission and Carson City to approve the artwork submitted by artist Hayley Meadows for the interior walls of the Kiwanis Lounge at the Carson City Senior Center.

“They stated they appreciated the artist’s decision to include flowers, they liked that it was colorful, they liked the poppies in the design as you are going out the door, they thought the mural ties into the courtyard refresh project that is planned, they liked that the design included the large plant that sits on the right side/corner and will not be covered by the plant, and all agreed the poppies were a bright addition they see in the area.”

The proposed mural for the south-facing wall of the community center is by artist Erik Burke.

“Burke is familiar with Carson City and was able to come and spend some extra time here while putting together a site-specific mock-up,” reads the staff report. “His goal is to connect with the varying demographics that enjoy the many services and activities taking place in and around the community center. Burke took reference from the residential deer herd and the legend of the King of Carson. The design includes interior panels, similar to other murals he has created around the world.”

According to Anna Freeman, the city’s arts and culture supervisor, the Cultural Commission will make a recommendation on the projects, and, per the city’s public art policy, the murals could be approved by the city manager or deferred to the Board of Supervisors for approval.

The senior center mural would not have a fiscal impact on the city, and the community center mural would be funded by a $5,600 Nevada Arts Council grant, in-kind contributions from Burke and $4,399 from the city’s redevelopment funds, according to a fiscal statement.

Approximately 19 murals around the city are planned for the festival along with live music at participating venues. For information, go to visitcarsoncity.com/muralsandmusic.