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Board approves Walls mural concept for Carson Valley Cinemas; project funded by Visit Carson City grant
Summary
The board approved a grant-funded mural by artist Raphael Blanco for the Carson Valley Cinemas/community arts center, authorizing staff to execute agreements at no cost to Douglas County and directing follow-up through the planning commission for a special use permit.
The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve a concept for a large, site-specific mural by Spanish-born artist Raphael Blanco for the Carson Valley Cinemas building (future community arts center). The mural is part of the Dust and Wonder Trail initiative funded through a Visit Carson City-led grant; the mural and accompanying documentary production budgeted for the Carson Valley episode is approximately $68,000, covered by the grant.
Community Services Director Brooke Ad explained the Walls project's schedule and community-engagement approach: the artist will be on site for two weeks (currently scheduled Aug. 3—16), will work with the Carson Valley Arts Council and the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board on final images, and will apply a UV-protective finish intended to minimize maintenance. Eric Brooks and Brian Fitzgerald described the grant structure and the documentary partnership with a PBS-affiliated production.
The board approved the mural rendering concept pending the special use permit process before the Douglas County Planning Commission and authorized the community services director to enter necessary agreements for the project at no cost to the county. The motion passed with four votes in favor, one absence.
Public commenters supported the project and asked about exterior renovations to the cinema building affecting the mural; staff said the current master plan for the building anticipates interior improvements and that the mural location is expected to remain as designed.
What happens next: staff will move forward with public engagement and design, present final renderings to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board and obtain the special use permit from the Planning Commission (scheduled for a later hearing), and execute grant agreements and contracts for the artist and production.
Quote: "This is a rare opportunity to be part of a large-scale, site-specific mural by an internationally known artist at no cost to the county," said Brian Fitzgerald, president of the Carson Valley Arts Council.
