| The Rotary Club of Reno won the Service Club Award for its Bicentennial Park Sculpture Garden at the 2018 the Arts & Business Luncheon last month. This event was held in partnership with the City of Reno, City of Sparks, Sierra Arts Foundation, UNR College of Liberal Arts and the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN) to recognize local businesses and individuals in Greater Reno-Sparks that have demonstrated exceptional support and engagement with the local arts and culture community. More than 45 entrees were submitted and over 400 local business representatives, government leaders, and individuals in the arts community attended the event.
This unique Rotary club project, in partnership with the City of Reno and the Arts & Culture Commission, commemorated the club’s 100th anniversary. It was dedicated in late 2016 and features pedestals and pads for six rotating sculptures, costing $100,000 in donations and services. The project has become an integral part of Reno’s growing public art program. “We were looking for a high-impact project that directly benefitted the downtown area, because that is where we meet,” said Marlene Olsen, chair of the Sculpture Park Committee. “The idea was to create a feature that would attract people to enjoy this park again, and it worked.” The club has made an on-going commitment to keep improving this park.
In addition to enhancing the cityscape with the sculptures, the club also helps landscape and maintain the gardens at and near the park with multiple work days every year. The Biggest Little Bulb Project was also created by the club in the fall of 2017. Volunteers planted 15,000 bulbs that bloomed last spring and summer, bringing a lot of beauty to a neglected area. “Working at the gardens has been very rewarding, as many people come up to us and thank us for transforming this area that was a bit scary before,” said Debe Fennell, chair of the Riverside Gardens Committee. “By cleaning up this area with plant, flowers and sculptures, the park is now a friendly environment for everyone.”
“We are very fortunate that Greater Reno-Sparks has the support of so many who are passionate about and understand the positive impact arts and culture have on our community,” said Mike Kazmierski, President and CEO of EDAWN. “In our world of economic development, we whole-heartedly support a thriving arts and culture presence and the important role it plays in our efforts to attract new businesses and workforce to our region.”
On your next trip to downtown Reno, visit the park at First and Ralston Streets, next to the Truckee River.
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YES! You guys rock. Thanks a MILLION for making Reno better!
Happy to!! Thanks Diego!