Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) Art Galleries are exhibiting four new exhibitions. Two curated exhibitions feature the 2022-23 Reno City Artist Rossitza Todorova and the ART 209 Gallery Practices class, with two local artists exhibiting solo exhibitions. The exhibitions run from Monday, Oct. 7–Thursday, Oct. 31, at four locations on the Dandini Campus. There will be an opening artists’ reception on Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 5–7 p.m. at the V. James Eardley Student Center and Red Mountain Gallery on the third floor of the Red Mountain Building on the Dandini Campus. Refreshments will be available, and free exhibitions open to the public.
'Smoke Reflects' by Austin Pratt
The TMCC Main Gallery will be featuring Between Earth & Sky, a group exhibition featuring Northern Nevada artists whose work celebrates the unique high desert landscape of the Great Basin. Between Earth & Sky offers a rich and diverse view for art lovers and nature enthusiasts curated by Todorova. Each artist brings a unique perspective to the landscape, interpreting the region’s natural beauty in their style. The exhibition will showcase the layers, fragmentation, and expanse of the Great Basin landscape, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the inspiration of this remarkable region. Participating artists include Galen Brown, Grace Davis, Gerald Lee Franzen, Ahren Hertel, Scott Hinton, Asa Kennedy, Kirsten Mashinter, Melissa Melero-Moose, Elaine Parks, Austin Pratt, Gail Rappa, Rachel Stiff, and Sidne Teske.
“Austin Pratt’s abstract paintings are based on organic abstraction, drawing inspiration from the micro and granular levels of rock and plant patterns and textures to the grandeur of the Great Basin landscape’s space, sky, and history. The mirage of a horizon line, the time of day, and a location inspire Pratt, but he doesn’t give the landscape away directly. Instead, he provides many clues that invite the viewer to contemplate the meaning of the work. His paintings vibrate between elusive, near-recognizable images and real physical objects, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue that invites contemplation of the beauty and complexity of the natural world,” said Todorova.
'Dugout' by Sidne Teske.
“Sidne Teske is an artist who uses soft pastels to create stunning drawings that reveal the beauty of the desert. A true master of color, Teske is known for her ability to capture the unique qualities of the high desert landscape. She achieves this by studying the landscape from life, working plein-air, and returning to the same location to capture the subtle shifts in light and form. She shows how the high desert light reveals the land through her work, highlighting the individual form of each sagebrush and rock. Teske’s bold color is striking and accentuated by her choice to work on colored sandpaper as a textured background, which complements the softness of the silky pastel. She understands that the bright desert light balances by deep shadow, and snow is not simply white but bathed in blue. With her masterful use of color, texture, and form, Teske’s pastel drawings transport the viewer to the beautiful and unique landscape of the high desert,” continued Todorova.
The Red Mountain Gallery, located on the third floor adjacent to Admissions, features VH—physical and emotional vulnerability as one goes from one place of safety to another. This feeling of liminality when looking out at the land while traveling, especially while driving, is pronounced—watching the landscape slowly morph and change over time, becoming something else. Witnessing this can remind the viewer that, much like the human body, even the massive landforms we see, no matter how impressive and grand, were formed through natural processes and will eventually erode to nothing again. The yearning for something else is, to many, what drives the desire to explore and experience something new—whether far-off physical spaces, nonexistent memories, or utopian tomorrows.
“Luke’s work masterfully bridges the gap between nostalgia and the present moment, utilizing the analog quality of VHS recordings to evoke a sense of longing and dissonance. Through immersive, interactive installations, they invite viewers to confront their relationship with memory, engaging in a tactile dialogue between the past and the now. The grainy, imperfect nature of VHS mirrors the complexities of recollection. While the installations encourage a deeper exploration of how we navigate time, place, and the fleeting nature of experience,” said Kyle Karrasch, Art Galleries Curator.
The Erik Lauritzen Gallery, located on the third floor of the Red Mountain Building near office 321, features Major Arcana by Birdy McCray. McCray’s work explores the intersections between art, divination, and self-discovery. Her tactile process of carving linoleum parallels the nature of tarot and divination, where each cut reveals layers of meaning. Her prints draw on the rich symbolism of these mystical practices, reflecting themes of self-exploration and interpretation.
“Birdy’s work elegantly navigates the intersections of art, divination, and self-discovery, where the tactile process of carving linoleum becomes a metaphor for introspection. Each deliberate cut mirrors the unfolding layers of meaning in tarot and other mystical practices, revealing a deeper understanding of the self. The prints resonate with rich symbolism, drawing on the ancient language of divination to explore the complexities of interpretation and personal insight. Through this delicate balance of craft and mysticism, the artist invites viewers on a transformative journey of self-exploration,” said Karrasch.
The Red Mountain Student Gallery on the third floor features Art Unbound, a curated show by TMCC’s ART 209 Gallery Practices class taught by Karrasch. Art Unbound is a unique opportunity for students to explore their artistic visions without the confines of a central theme. Each participating artist freely presents works that reflect their individuality, making this exhibition a true celebration of creativity in its many forms.
“Curating this exhibition has been an incredible experience for our class,” said Heidi Archdekin, one of the student curators. “It allows us to engage with various artistic practices and collaborate as a class. We’re excited to see how each piece contributes to the overall dialogue of the show.”
For more information, please visit the Art Galleries website or call 775-673-7233.