Neon signs outside the Old Globe Saloon in downtown Carson City on Nov. 29, 2022.
Photo by Scott Neuffer.
In the asperities of Nevada, neon lights can signal refuge. They serve an advertising function in towns and cities but are also part of a western aesthetic, artistic products the Carson City Cultural Commission is interested in exploring.
Monday, the Cultural Commission discussed a potential neon light program in the capital city. Members didn’t take any formal action and agreed to bring the item back for another meeting with guest speakers and experts (such as those with the Nevada Neon Project) to illuminate how neon can enhance a community’s art scene.
The parameters of a local neon program are yet to be determined.
“It occurred to me recently that Nevada is known for neon, and Carson City ought to display and promote the things that make Nevada special, not just things that are here in the capital city but things that are known throughout the state but are in theme with Carson City as well,” said Commissioner Samuel Flakus.
Flakus mentioned the Neon Museum in Las Vegas and said he wanted to gauge people’s interest in neon as street art, with business owners potentially participating in displays.
“Instead of it sitting in a warehouse, actually to have it be on display for people to see, something kind of interesting, kind of add to the nightlife,” Flakus said.
Carson City Supervisor Curtis Horton, who sits on the Cultural Commission, suggested a neon display at the Brewery Arts Center to figure out how much people enjoy it, what they think of it, and “then talk about should we do it in a different place? Should we include the businesses?”
The latter idea was palatable to Commissioner Valerie Moore, who works for BAC and suggested neon art for a sculpture area near the BAC Performance Hall.
Bethany Drysdale, who chairs the Cultural Commission, agreed with Flakus on the significance of neon.
“I agree that Carson City, the state capital, should really be a part of that and highlighting that,” Drysdale said.
Commissioners tasked themselves with doing more homework on how neon art could fit into Carson. Drysdale added it would be a matter of finding partnerships “to see where we can go with it.”
In other action:
• Commissioners voted 6-0, with Barbara D’Anneo absent, to retain Drysdale as the commission’s chair and to appoint Flakus as the vice chair.
• Anna Freeman, arts and culture supervisor for the city, presented an annual report and work plan to be submitted to the Board of Supervisors, which commissioners unanimously approved.
Freeman also gave an update on arts and culture programming, calling 2024 a big year for public art in the city. She said public art takes a village and mentioned parks and recreation staff cleaning up after someone lit a bonfire within the “Inside the Mind of DaVinci” sculpture in front of the community center.
In addition, Freeman said, “Have you noticed that one of the Basque sheep on the freeway art was knocked over? Nope? Didn’t notice? That’s because our public works teams already fixed it. They reinstalled it. And that sheep is right as rain.”
For those interested in helping with cleaning and maintenance of the city’s public art collection, Freeman is organizing an art volunteer day May 31. She’s looking for volunteers and sponsors for ongoing programs as well.
Email afreeman@carson.org for information.