Ely Adds Two New Murals
This summer saw the addition of two murals to the outdoor art that tells the story and history of Ely. The Ely Renaissance Society (ERS) believes that outdoor art blends our history with our beautiful scenery to make our community welcoming for the visitors as well as the local residents.
The Ely Renaissance Society was formed in 1999 to preserve and renovate the downtown area through art. The Society choose the theme “Where the World Met and Became One” which tells the story of the various ethnic groups who came to eastern Nevada to work in the mines, ranches and businesses. These groups brought a rich diversity to this community. Using White Pine’s unique historical theme to create giant canvases of art in the form of murals, the project sparked a sense of pride and revitalization to the community.
In July, a mural about Absalom Lehman and his discovery of Lehman Caves was gifted to Ely by the National Speleological Society, who held its 75th National Conference here. The National Park Service celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016 and the National Speleological Society met in Ely, to celebrate Lehman Caves as part of Great Basin National Park.
The second mural just completed used the theme “Where the World Met and Became One” to showcase the ethnic groups and, in this case, the women who formed the community. Men came here to work in the mines and on the ranches or to operate businesses, but the women built the community. The mural was sponsored by the Hotel Nevada.
This mural features art work done by four young artists who created the art depicting the ethnic women and the local architecture and scenery. The artists are Jill McPherson, Gorman High School, Las Vegas, Nevada; Cameria Poulsen, White Pine High School, Ely, NV; John Rupert, Carson City High School, Carson City, Nevada; and Jessica Wright, Faith Lutheran High School, Las Vegas, Nevada. This mural was created by young artists to add their perspective on our past and culture.
Jessica Wright attends Faith Lutheran High School in Las Vegas. She is an honors student, and she would like a career in art. She played volleyball at Faith.
Jill McPherson attends Bishop Gorman High school. She is an honors student and Nevada State Champion Discus thrower. She wants to be a veterinarian.
Cammie Poulsen is junior at White Pine High School in Ely, Nevada, and a member of the National Honor Society. She is in varsity soccer and track. She plans to attend college to get a degree in art.
John Rupert is a sophomore at Carson High School in Carson City, Nevada. John is an enrolled member of the Duck Valley Shoshone Paiute Tribe. He is a Native American Fancy Dancer and has performed in China, Alaska and Hawaii. John is an exceptional athlete and excels in football and wrestling. He’s an avid hunter and recently harvested a buffalo, with a bow. John plans to attend college and play football at the collegiate level. Art is an interest John has, and he is most interested in reproducing early Nevada Indian bows and arrows.
By combining history with art and placing it in the outdoor domain, accessible to all, art becomes a part of everyday life. The history lessons expressed on the walls ensure that our mining and ranching heritage is forever enshrined.
— Lorraine Clark
