By Samuel Sheridan
On the first Thursday of every month, from 5 to 7 p.m, the Nevada Museum of Art hosts an evening of drinks, live entertainment, and a chance to see current exhibits as a gift to museum members and the larger community. Admission is free for members and $10 for the general public.
The most recent First Thursday event was March 1 and celebrated the opening of two new exhibits dedicated to the works of Hans Meyer-Kassel and contemporary artists from Australia’s Aboriginal demographic and culture.
Meyer-Kassel’s exhibit, “Artist of Nevada,” pays tribute to a German painter who immigrated to the United States in 1921 after witnessing the horrors of World War I in his homeland. The exhibit features paintings created to show his feelings for the war, as well as his scenic landscapes of northern Nevada (including the Carson Valley and Pyramid Lake). Personal mementos, such as his glasses and paintbrushes, are also on display. Jack Bacon and Guy Clifton, the publisher and author of the exhibit’s complementary book, respectively, were present to sign copies, along with curator Ann Wolfe.
Next door, a 5-minute looping documentary on Aboriginal culture serves as the gateway to “Marking the Infinite,” an exhibit marking the American debut of several of its contributing artists, all of whom have Aboriginal roots. Inside, their larrakit poles and paintings discuss varying themes, ranging from celestial bodies that communicate Aboriginals’ questions of existence to a showcase of Aboriginal traditions and ceremonies.
The highlight of First Thursday is a networking and cocktail session inside the fourth-floor Sky Room, where alcoholic beverages are sold and information booths encourage attendees to join local memberships. This month, singer-songwriter Mark Mackay performed, and next month will feature local band Kingfinger.
For more information on upcoming exhibits and events, visit www.nevadaart.org.
