July is just around the corner, and that means Reno is about to light up across the city with creativity and community. That’s right, Artown is back!
This year marks 30 years of honoring the creative and vibrant spirit of our local community. You don’t have to be an arts lover to find something you’ll love! From live concerts and theater performances, art exhibitions and street festivals, family-friendly gatherings, creative workshops, film screenings and more, we seriously mean it when we say there’s something for everyone.
In 1996, the local art community put their heads together with civic leaders and business owners, trying to make a plan to revitalize the downtown scene and get more eyes on the beating artistic heart of Reno. The result was a three-week festival that drew around 30,000 guests and launched a legacy we’re still enjoying today!
Now, Artown has spread into a monthlong celebration featuring hundreds of events across our Biggest Little City and beyond. We’ve got our own small celebration with our Taste then Craft collaboration, but it’s just a small part of the party.
For those who are looking to make any occasion a little extra special this month, we're partnering with our neighbor, La Condesa, to bring you Taste then Craft. Their menu, crafted by local chef Sergio Romano, is a celebration of flavor designed to fuse classic dishes with modern techniques.
Once you've dined, wander over to Wyld Market Collective to get creative! We have a curated collection of DIY craft kits, from date-night paint by numbers to pressed floral art, that will help you make memories with friends, family, or your special someone. Set up in the shop, and enjoy a few hours of laughing, making, and connecting!
And like we said, this is just a fraction of the events kicking off around town, so be sure to keep your eyes out for everything else that's lighting up the city.
One exhibition that we’re especially excited to check out is the Spirit Animals showcase, which you can discover at the intersection S. Virginia St. and the Truckee River. These 22-foot-tall statues depict colorful animal-inspired guardians rooted in Mexican folklore. These lively statues are a fusion of the woodcarving traditions of Oaxaca and the work of Pedro Linares, an artist from Mexico City who began creating art of the fantastical alebrijes in the 1930s.
For the history buffs, experienced guides will be leading walking tours at sites around town, including inside the Bowers and Lake Mansions. On July 19th, the 57th Annual Basque Festival is back to celebrate cultural roots that stretch back through Nevada’s history. Catch movies in the park at Rancho San Rafael, Young Shakespeare presenting The Twelfth Night, family-friendly circus shows from Circus Bella, and so much more!
Be sure to check it out for yourself, because if we tried to talk about everything going on this year, we’d be here for a while.
Reno sometimes gets a reputation as a mini-Las Vegas and casino town, but for the people who live here, we know it's something special. Our Biggest Little City is full of heart, energy and creativity, with vibrant minds and raging passion, and this is the month to pull out all the stops.
Take a look at the calendar, and keep an eye out for what’s popping up around town! This is the perfect way to dive into the creative heart of Reno, and find the artists, venues, and community spots that will fuel your soul all year long.