By Kayla Anderson
Art is taking over Sparks for the month of July as the community joins the annual Artown celebration of all things beautiful and creative. If you are artistically-inclined, then here are some events not to miss:
“The Legend of 1000 Combat Paper Cranes” Public Crane Making Workshops
The City of Sparks and Culture Advisory Committee along with the David J. Drakulich Art Foundation will be honoring our veterans and promote healing through “The Legend of 1000 Combat Paper Cranes” project launching this month. Local artists and community members are invited to take apart old military uniforms and turn them into paper to then be folded into origami-style cranes.
Cranes have been long revered in Asian cultures as they represent health, truth, and longevity. Ancient Japanese tradition believes that anyone who commits to folding 1,000 paper cranes will be rewarded one wish from the gods for their dedication in exhibiting the elegant bird’s loyalty and recreating their beauty.
Paper crane-making workshops are to be held July 18 from 2-6pm at the Potentialist Workshop in Reno, July 28 from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the Sparks Heritage Museum, and July 19, and July 26 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the 39 North Marketplace in Victorian Square. These workshops will be facilitated by local artists and veterans to help raise awareness about issues regarding our military and how they impact the community-at-large. The cumulative public artwork will then be displayed in the Victorian Square Galaxy Theatre lobby this autumn.
The Art of Food All Month Long in Victorian Square
39 North is celebrating the art of food all summer at its 39 North Marketplace events held on Thursdays from 4 to 9 p.m. in Downtown Sparks. Celebrate food with other local foodies or partake in vibrant Hawaiian food culture here on the mainland on July 19. Find food, art, and gardening items in all colors of the rainbow on July 26.
Top off your month on July 27 with the Art of Food featuring Karen Vuranch as Julia Child. Vuranch is a storyteller, writer, and actress, bringing the famous chef to life through a special performance and cooking demonstration to be held at the Victorian Square Amphitheatre at 6pm. Cruise through booths and food-related art exhibits followed by a free showing of “Fried Green Tomatoes”.
If you want to practice painting food, the Sparks Heritage Museum will also be hosting a free still life painting and drawing workshop from 4 to 6 p.m. on July 27.
Kids Can Discover New Arts at the Sparks Museum for Free on Saturday Mornings
On Saturday mornings at 11 a.m., kids ages 6-12 can discover different art disciplines such music, drama, visual arts, and the spoken word at the Sparks Heritage Museum and Cultural Center. In these free hour-long programs, kids can discover dancing on July 21, and discover music with the Reno Philharmonic on July 28.
Painting and Watercolor Exhibits
Watercolor painter Donna Chouteau invites the public to view her original and print watercolors to be on display at the Sparks Heritage Museum through August 5 and the public is invited to try painting a bowl of fruit of their own on July 19 (or try it with tempera paints on July 26) from 4 to 6 p.m. These classes are free and informal, but pre-registration is highly advised.
For all City of Sparks art-related events, visit cityofsparks.us/artown. The Generator is also an inclusive art/makerspace with lots of events and workshops going on year-round in welding, building, metal, ceramics, wood, textiles, and more. For more information, visit www.therenogenerator.com.
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