Artists find new home in old Riverside Hotel
by Jerri Conrad, Outpost staff
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The Riverside Hotel's colorful past will continue in to the future.
With help from supporters, the Sierra Arts Foundation, the City of Reno, the Washoe Home Consortium and the State of Nevada, the Riverside Hotel will become the Riverside Artist Lofts and house 35 artists and their workspace.
Artspace Projects plans to convert the Riverside Hotel into 35 affordable residential/work spaces for regional artists and their families, with commercial and community use space on the first floor.
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Jill Berryman, executive director of the Sierra Arts Foundation, sees the project as a positive move for Reno.
"This and other public art projects result in beautifying and enhancing our downtown, our culture and the people of our community," Berryman said.
Mary Bennett, theater artist and Reno resident , heard about the plans for the Riverside Hotel about a year ago through Sierra Arts Foundation. Bennett hopes to be a resident at the Riverside Artist Lofts.
"As an artist, I will benefit greatly from the artist space," Bennett said, "I have spent months looking for an apartment, everything is too expensive."
"When an artist is committed to making a living from their art that can make living expenses difficult to manage," Bennett said. "I have always needed roommates because I could not afford a place on my own. I know people who have lived in garages because it was less expensive."
"Being around other artists in different disciplines will be powerful and creative," Bennett said.
"The artist space at the Riverside Hotel will make it possible for artists to value their work. Artists who value their work will add to the fabric of Reno," Bennett said. "If the community values art and artists, professional artists will stay here. That will increase professional opportunities in the community."
"Restoring an old building is positive for downtown," she said.
Posted April 18, 2000
Copyright 2000 Nevada Outpost
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