Artist reception runs from 5 to 7 p.m. March 22.
Sculpture and collage by Reno artist Walter McNamara will be displayed in the show “Wood. Paper. Etc. A Mixed Media Exhibition,” on display March 12 to April 18 at the Sierra Arts Gallery, 17 S. Virginia St., Suite 120. An artist reception will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. March 22.
A well-known and prolific artist, McNamara specializes in transforming found objects.
“What I do best is put things together,” McNamara said.
Sculpturally, he divines complex forms out of altered driftwood, chains and bone, making each material and each shape fight for the viewer’s attention. His collage marries a delicate though energetic watercolor technique with pieces of our collective cultural trash, including cigarette packs and CDs.
Since the early 1960s, McNamara has shown his work in numerous exhibits and venues, including the Whitney Museum Annual, Drawings USA, the Denver Art Museum and the Drawing Society National Touring Exhibit. He has received many grants and awards, including Nevada Arts Council Art Fellowships in 1989 and 1984, a City 2000 Reno Arts Commission Grant in 1993 and the fourth annual Governor’s Arts Award. A major exhibit of his work with catalog was displayed in 1994 at the Nevada Museum of Art. His most recent solo exhibits took place at Oats Park Art Center in Fallon, Truckee Meadows Community College and the McKinley Arts and Cultural Center.
Born in Stamford, Conn., McNamara relocated to Reno as a youngster. He attended the University of Nevada and eventually became curator of the Sheppard Fine Arts Gallery. He retired from that position in 1992 to pursue his art full-time.
