by Jamie Gentner, Outpost Staff
Reno has evolved into a conflicting combination of a proud cowtown, a pseudo-California and a imitation of the world's largest culture mess: the Las Vegas Strip. As a dying reminder of the Old West, downtown is deteriorating and with it Reno's individuality. My question is this: Does Reno have culture and does anyone care?
Reno has a ballet company, Los Angeles does not. Every
year renowned tenor Luciano Pavoratti agrees to two solo
performances. He has his choice of cities across the globe.
Last year he chose San Jose, Calif., and Reno and sold out
both nights.
The San Francisco phone book lists 57 museums. Almost a million people live in San Francisco, and that is quite a few museums. You would have to do some running around to get to them all. You would expect as many in a large city.
In the Reno-Sparks area there are more than 20 museums, six theaters that show live performances and several art galleries. Out of the basin's 300,000 population, can anyone name three museums?
In a unofficial survey of about 100 Truckee Meadows residents, I asked people in Meadowood Mall, the university campus, restaurants and on the street what museums they could name. They could not name three.
But, because of effective publicity, the Nevada Museum of Art is receiving what they call an amazing response to the current exhibit of Rodin sculptures. People are going. When I asked, people could mention it.
"We have had extremely fantastic success," Rebecca Rosenberg said when asked about the Rodin exhibit. Rosenberg is the School Programs Coordinator for the museum. The collection is on loan until May 31.
Meanwhile, on Victorian Square in Sparks, the Sparks City Museum is floundering. The museum relies on donations since there is no admission charge. The Nevada Museum of Art, however, charges admission most days and offers the facility to the public for rent. They are very aggressive about raising money.
Volunteers at the Sparks museum say they mostly rely on foot traffic, which is slim except on rare occasions such as the Nugget's annual Rib Cook-off.
Museum volunteer James Goodwin is a retired Sparks police officer. He was on the force for 23 years. His wife Chloris also volunteers at the Sparks museum. She has worked for the city for 32 years. They said most visitors that come in are surprised to discover a museum right there in Sparks.
"People just don't seek us out," Goodwin said. "They just don't seem interested."
Reno does have one museum that everyone can name and that's the National Automobile Museum set up by William F. Harrah. It has more than 200 antique, vintage, classic and special interest cars. Everyone I asked in my unofficial poll had in fact heard of it, but only a small fraction had been there.
Several agencies promote theater, opera, art, and dance at affordable prices. There are classes available all over town for both adults and children. Yet several of these classes and events go unattended.
The Pioneer Center downtown can only book musicals for a three- night series because of set tour dates across the country. These shows travel on a circuit. When they do hit Reno, the productions sell-out, but they cost a hefty price. Tickets start around the fifty dollar mark usually. Would a play actually survive in Reno for more than three nights? Is there an audience?
Take the Mapes for example. It is one of Reno's oldest casinos built in 1947 long since emptied and condemned. In recent years, the Reno Redevelopment Agency has pushed for a revamping of Downtown's river front area. This would include demolition of the Mapes.
First, why did it take all these years to "save?" It has been sitting there empty and unused since Dec. 17, 1982. I think publicity is the answer. Second, why can this town raise enough money to get the San Francisco Forty-Niners to relocate their training camp here in two days and they can't save the Mapes? I just don't think the majority of residents care.
While I must confess I write to you as a displaced Californian, I assure you I have given this topic my most unbiased approach. I was born and raised in the Bay Area in a suburb just south of San Francisco.
It is obvious to me that the movers and shakers in Reno are striving for an artsy appearance. They are succeeding in attempts to develop a nomenclature of something other than gambling bosses.
But I believe the people who live here choose Reno for a different reason. A farmer does not live in New York City by choice. He would be a fish out of water. It is true that people gravitate toward a mentality that suits them best.
I believe a town is a reflection of its people and true Renoites don't care. The push for "culture" has been impressed upon this city by the huge emigration from California and those impressed with the state. Reno is not California and isn't going to be.
I blame the citizens of the Truckee Meadows for their empty claims of no culture. Reno has a lot to offer, but because of little support, hours are extremely limited. You have galleries, museums and theaters. This is what people in California would call culture. What is your definition?
So I challenge you people. I dare you to tell me differently. Because as it stands now, you look like you don't care what's here. You appear indifferent and apathetic. Culture is not a priority here, and that is okay. But you can't say the town isn't trying. I beg you: don't let Reno deteriorate any further.
Posted Oct. 3, 1998
Copyright 1998 Nevada Oupost