Enjoying the Bicentennial Park Sculpture Garden: a Collaborative Project
You might not recognize Bicentennial Park by name along the Truckee River in downtown Reno, but you’ve probably visited. It’s home to Reno’s only public sculpture garden, located along the Truckee River at the western edge of downtown. With seven art installations, a colorful garden, and space to walk along and enjoy the Truckee River, it’s a park we’ve always appreciated! Keep reading to hear from Marlene Olsen from the Rotary Club of Reno and Megan Berne, Arts & Culture Manager for the City of Reno to learn more about how this sculpture garden came to be – and why places like this benefit our community.
Creating the Sculpture Garden
Today, the section of the Truckee River path approaching downtown from the west feels inviting. It’s a popular place for an after-work stroll, a weekend bike ride, or simply accessing downtown events and businesses on foot. Lined with flowers, and eventually opening up into a small sculpture garden in Bicentennial Park, it creates a smooth transition from mostly residential neighborhoods to the bustle of downtown – thanks to the efforts of the Rotary Club of Reno and the City of Reno.
The Rotary Club of Reno is a local chapter of an international service organization, aiming to create fellowship among business, professional, and civic leaders while improving quality of life in the Truckee Meadows. It’s the oldest Rotary Club in Nevada. In 2016, looking to honor their 100th anniversary, the Rotary reached out to the City of Reno for suggestions. They learned that the City wanted to improve Bicentennial Park but was struggling to find funding for their work.
Fortunately, fundraising is one of the Rotary’s strengths. They set out to improve Bicentennial Park by putting in the infrastructure to make the project possible, including sponsoring the pedestals the sculptures stand on. The City of Reno sponsored the sculptures themselves. Additional fundraising came from within the Rotary Club, including Rotary members whose companies contributed in-kind services and construction management.
“Prior to this, the park was underutilized and less well cared for. The collaboration with the Rotary has brought life back into it, making it a destination space. The artwork helps make it more inviting and welcoming, and I think that leads people to want to care for it,” Megan recognizes.
Selecting Bicentennial’s Artwork
To choose the Bicentennial’s seven initial art installations, the City of Reno embarked on a national call for artists. They sought out both existing sculptures and proposed pieces that would fit the space well. Artwork was selected through a Public Art Committee, a subcommittee of the City’s Arts and Culture Commission. (a council-appointed body that advises on all things arts and culture) The Rotary Club of Reno was invited to participate in the selection process and two of its members sat on the Committee.
There are currently six art pieces chosen by the committee displayed in Bicentennial Park. They are: Rhinoman by Caroyln Guerra (bronze), Dual Nature by Cecilia Lueza (polychromed urethane, metal), Daring Young Man on the Trapeze by Ric Blackerby (painted steel), Iron Horse by Pierra Riche (welded steel), Legend by Nathan Pierce (stainless steel, acrylic), and Circles by C. J. Rench (painted steel).
Outside of this selection process, a sculpture was added to honor Mayor Bob Cashell’s passing in February 2020. The former Mayor was a Rotary Club member, and there was concern that his death could get overlooked during the pandemic. “I just started taking donations, because we had to do something for Mayor Bob,” Marlene tells us. “So, he has a red, white, and blue garden with a flying trapeze clown sculpture above it, which is kind of ironic because he was always a fun-loving guy.”
More recently, Megan shares, “We’ve switched our model for how we select art, to be much more community oriented.” She wishes more residents realized that art selection is a public process. Community members can learn more about upcoming opportunities to help select artwork while meeting artists and learning about their work here.
While the art installations in Bicentennial Park are permanent, the Rotary Club continues to look for opportunities to enhance the space. Currently, they’re working with the City to add a peace pole, celebrating world peace in several languages.
Garden Improvements with the Reno Rotary Club
In addition to working with the City of Reno to create the sculpture garden, the Reno Rotary Club continues to enhance the Truckee River path each year by revitalizing the gardens both in Bicentennial Park and along Riverside Drive. These efforts are spearheaded by Rotary member Debbie Fennell. Every spring, the Rotary works with their partners and volunteers to install the season’s gardens. Volunteers are drawn from Rotary membership, local business partners, and other community members. Often, installation day coincides with Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful’s spring cleanup event.
Megan tells us, “In the summer, it’s incredible. You have all the green trees and this beautiful, blooming garden. And in the winter, when all of that is dormant, the artwork offers color and brightness to the space.”
Just as the gardens are planted and cared for each year, so is the artwork. As a part of the City’s permanent collection, the Arts and Culture Department cleans the sculptures, waxes the bronze, and maintains the pedestals.
Getting Involved in Our Community
The Bicentennial Park Sculpture Garden along the Truckee River path isn’t just beautiful – it’s an example of the difference community members can make. Sometimes, all it takes is an enthusiastic individual or dedicated group to get things started.
“People should look around and see what they can improve, and go do it," Marlene tells us. “I’m in an HOA and it’s interesting the things I’ve been able to do here, just because I was willing. From unified signage, to inventing a logo, to dressing up our entrances. I just keep thinking about what I can do next. Anyone can get involved, and anyone can do this.”