NEVADA ARTS COUNCIL NEWS RELEASE CARSON CITY – Western culture depicted in the art of hand-crafted leather saddles and ranch tack comes to the Nevada Legislature as part of the program, “The Work of Artists.” Washoe Valley saddle-maker Russ Murray, who specializes in custom handmade saddles and more for ranch work, cutting or working cow horses, roping and trail riding, will demonstrate his intricately detailed craft from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 8.
Murray’s talk is the second installment in “The Work of Artists,” a new initiative of the Nevada Arts Council featuring a series of personal interactions via talks and demonstrations with some of Northern Nevada’s finest traditional, folk and contemporary artists. Murray, who learned from the late award-winning saddle maker Bill Maloy, is known for using only the finest materials, and original artwork on each saddle, never uses a design twice. Examples of his ornate saddles will be on display during the event.
Creating an opportunity for artists to engage with community members and those working in and visiting the Nevada State Legislative Building, “The Work of Artists” presentations are at 3:30 p.m. March 8, April 4, May 8 and 30. A printmaking workshop will be presented March 25 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. All are free and open to the public in Room 3100 of the Nevada State Legislative Building at 401 S. Carson St. in Carson City. “The Work of Artists” is presented by the Nevada Arts Council, a division of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, and SENarts. SENarts is a partnership between the Nevada Senate, Nevada Arts Council, and Nevada Division of Museums and History to promote the visual arts in the Senate areas of the Legislative Building.
The Nevada Arts Council, a division of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, is the agency charged with ensuring that state and national funds support cultural activity and encourage participation in the arts throughout Nevada. In addition to providing hundreds of grants to arts and community-based organizations, schools, artists and local municipalities throughout the state, the Arts Council coordinates a variety of statewide programs and activities such as the annual Poetry Out Loud recitation competition for high-school aged students, traveling exhibits, artist residencies, workshops and cultural assessments. For more information, please visit the department’s website at nac.nevadaculture.org/.
