Circus Circus Reno is hosting the second annual 24-hour Wall Mural Marathon in conjunction with Artown. Selected artists will paint individual murals on seven different panels on the exterior of the Circus Circus main building, facing Virginia Street.
All murals will remain on display for a year and will serve to beautify the downtown area.
“Reno is a city in transition. The mural marathon and the resulting art is indicative of the change and serves as a catalyst for more change,” said Richard Bartholet, University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) faculty member and president of the Regional Alliance for Downtown (RAD). “A very large publicly-traded corporation not only is allowing murals to be painted on the exterior of one of its properties, but is paying stipends to the artists. Wrapping an event around the creation of the murals speaks volumes about the transition occurring in Reno.”
Each artist will receive $750 for materials, but must provide their own equipment and labor. Entries are not closed and the selected artists are Arthur Bryce Chisholm, David Cherry, Heidi Barnett, Stephane Cellier, Anthony Padilla, Danielle Rumbaugh, and a team of Asa Kennedy and Derek Miller. Amerique Powell and Steve Machutta will serve as alternates.
Artists will have 24 hours, from 10 a.m. on July 10th to paint their murals for a chance to win a cash prize. First place nets $2,000, second place $1,000 and third place $500. Food vendors, a Red Bull DJ and an outside bar featuring Red Bull and Jack Daniels beverages will complement the art. Virginia Street will be closed between 5th and 6th street for the event.
“The 24 hour mural marathon is a fantastic Artown event and addition to our community,” said Beth Macmillan, Executive Director of Artown. “It brings art to the streets and makes it accessible and free to the public. It also gives Virginia Street a lovely urban and artistic landscape as visitors arrive in the Biggest Little City.”
