Gerlach’s Public Art
BY MEGG MUELLER
A certain anything-but-ordinary event put a remote swath of Nevada desert 120 miles north of Reno on the global radar. Say Black Rock Desert to nearly anyone, and they’ll reply, “Burning Man.” Beyond the annual event, however, the small town of Gerlach—population 130—is the living gateway to the behemoth festival, and its residents know there’s so much more to the area than the yearly party on the playa.
“Telling the story of this community is important so everyone can get a better understanding and sense of place.”
Margie Reynolds
Art and history live here all year long, and a group of dedicated individuals wanted to ensure that wasn’t lost in all the fanfare. Gerlach’s Open-Air Art Gallery was the passion project of Margie Reynolds, a mostly retired artist who has lived part-time in Gerlach for almost 20 years. Margie worked closely on the outdoor art gallery with Friends of Black Rock-High Rock (FBRHR)—an organization that, in addition to leading programs, tours, local events, and conservation projects, operates a welcome and education center in a historic building in Gerlach. We talked with Margie about how art became the town’s newest attraction.
What prompted this project?
I wanted to help tell the story of our region through art. I came up with the idea several years ago after visiting Bend, Oregon’s downtown alley art. I worked for FBRHR to develop the proposal for the grant, and with the help of many locals and a few friends, was able to make it happen.
How did you find the artists?
A call for artists went out in 2024, with the requirements that they needed to be regionally located and demonstrate a connection to the region. We had more than 25 applicants and narrowed it down to eight panelists. The jurors selecting the artists were all local, including John Bogard from Planet X Pottery and Jack Phillips, a landscape painter.
Were there any guidelines on what they could create?
Storytelling through art seemed like a natural fit for Gerlach, especially with the Burning Man influence. We only asked that the art help tell the story of this area. Beyond those guidelines, we looked at the placements that would complement the art and further the story being shared.
For the walls at Bruno’s Country Club, we knew we wanted to commemorate the historic world land speed record that was set on the Black Rock Desert in 1997. For that, muralist Bryce Chisholm was selected. He also incorporated other things associated with the playa, like rocketry, night skies, and Burning Man. A piece by Cyan Samone depicts pronghorn antelope bounding through the desert in a whimsical way.
And what better way to gain an appreciation of our location and environment than viewing Zoe Caron’s “The Flow of Time” while standing where ancient Lake Lahontan once sat? For our community center, Kimberly Avanna Lawson’s piece focuses on community within tribes, which played an integral role in this area. Joe’s Bar features animals of the region in Alyssa Cumpton’s “Center of the Universe.”
Do you have hopes for growing Gerlach’s public art and murals?
We plan to auction off the 4-foot by 8-foot panels in a couple of years and use that as seed money to keep the gallery going, thus rotating the art every few years.
As for the future, some businesses have expressed interest in more art. The Gerlach school is on our radar, as is a longer wall at Bruno’s. One thing we discovered during the process is that Gerlach truly is a small town, and finding enough walls to support the large art was a bit of a challenge!
We also have folks interested in developing a maker space. We’d love to have community space for lapidary, painting, crafts, and other things.
Why is this type of art important for a community?
Telling the story of this community is important so everyone can get a better understanding and sense of place. Slowing down also means learning more; people that linger longer tend to contribute more to the local economy. Sure, we are packed during Burning Man, but this art is here year-round. Visiting before and after Burning Man is the best time to see the area.
How can people see the art?
There are tours you can take; check visitgerlach.com to find out more. We talk about our historic buildings and water tower and tell some fun stories, like when Drew Barrymore came to town to film the movie “Far from Home” or when “Nomadland” was filmed nearby. We also visit Burning Man-related art and talk about other events and commerce that take place here.
We also have brochures and posters around town you can use for self-guided tours. The posters contain a QR code that links to the art gallery and online map.
Friends of Black Rock-High Rock offer tours as well. You can find that information at blackrockdesert.org.
Travel Nevada Pro Tip
The Washoe County ArTrail lets visitors discover cultural, historic, and artistic landmarks in the area. The trail starts in Reno and ends in Gerlach, covering nearly 200 miles—much of it following the Truckee River. Visit artrail.washoecounty.us for more information.
