Capital City Arts Initiative [CCAI]
CCAI Carson City Courthouse Gallery
CCAI Art In Public Program ['CAP']
P.O. Box 1333
Carson City, Nevada 89702

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 12, 2007

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Capital City Arts Initiative
PRESS RELEASE

"CCAI Carson City Courthouse Gallery Reopens with Homeless In Nevada Photography Exhibition "

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"CCAI Capital City Courthouse Gallery Reopens with Homeless In Nevada Photography Exhibition"

Following a one year hiatus, the Capital City Arts Initiative [CCAI] reopens the Carson City Courthouse Gallery with "Homeless in Nevada: Street Stories," a photography exhibition organized by Reno City Police Officer Patrick O’Bryan. The photographs were previously exhibited in the Nevada State Legislature building.

A reception will take place Tuesday, May 1, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the Courthouse Gallery. Admission is free and the public is cordially invited.

The Courthouse is located at 885 East Musser Street in Carson City. The exhibition runs through May 31 and is part of CCAI’s “CAP” Program, a year-long focus on art in public.

With "Homeless in Nevada: Street Stories," Officer O’Bryan wanted to help inform the public about homelessness. With support from the City of Reno, he purchased disposable digital cameras. On February 13 of this year he set up an information table at St. Vincent’s Dining Hall in Reno. He asked those interested to take photographs, within the following 24 hours, of their lives. Participants then returned the cameras for photo processing, framing, and exhibition. Forty people signed up for the project and the results of their creative efforts are now on display in photographs by Jane Dundlach, Jody Hammond, Ron Montavon, La Cox, Gordon Harris, Kari Pellerin, Robyn Wright, David Simmons, Chuck Barrett, 'Carmen & Dan,' William Wright, Nathan Waddell, William O'Keefe, and 'Mike & Betty.'

Officer O’Bryan comments: “I 've looked at the 240 original photographs and the notes recording each photographer's thoughts about their images. I continue to be struck by the power of these photographs, and the power of art to transform awareness."

Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, who helped bring "Homeless in Nevada" to the Legislature, comments: "The exhibition expresses a viewpoint we rarely see: that of life on the streets from the perspective of homeless citizens. It is a powerful statement of the harsh reality so many of Nevada's families face: sleeping in cars, in the brush by the river, or packing their belongings from place to place searching for a safe haven for the night. I hope this exhibit will galvanize our community to action and support efforts to provide transitional housing and support services to this most vulnerable population."

The Capital City Arts Initiative extends its most sincere appreciation to the participating photographers, and to Officer Patrick O’Bryan.

The exhibition marks the reopening of the CCAI Carson City Courthouse Gallery. CCAI Executive Director Sharon Rosse: "We're delighted to be working with the Courthouse and appreciate its support of the arts in the region. Homeless in Nevada is a perfect way to relaunch the program."

CCAI is currently developing Courthouse Gallery exhibitions for its 2007-2008 season.

The Capital City Arts Initiative is an artist-centered organization committed to the encouragement and support of artists and the arts and culture of Carson City and the surrounding region through community building and public programs. Its activities include contemporary art exhibitions, live events and arts education programs for the area’s diverse adult and youth populations.

CCAI is funded by the Carson City Redevelopment Authority; the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts; The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts; the Gannett Foundation; the James W. Calhoun Foundation; U.S. Bank; Gayle Crowell; Coldwell Banker Best Sellers; Carson High School; UNR Art Department; Carson City Library; Nevada Hispanic Services-Carson City; CCAI's Board of Directors; BrAG, CCAI's 'Brilliant Advisory Group'; CCAI's Business Leaders; and CCAI's growing membership.

CCAI extends special thanks to Joe McCarthy; Steele & Associates, CPAs; the Dan Leck Family; Dr. Kim Bean, Dr. Jeffrey Bean; Carson Shopping Center; Capital City Entertainment; Rick Sikes, Nevada Green; Stew’s Brewery; Western Nevada Community College; Sherwin-Williams Paints; Kelly Moore Paints; the Fuller Paint Center; and Simpson Creative.

For additional information visit CCAI’s website at www.arts-initiative.org.

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photograph from "Homeless in Nevada: Street Stories"



photograph from "Homeless in Nevada: Street Stories"



photograph from "Homeless in Nevada: Street Stories"