Last week a group of us from F+W headed to Reno, Nevada, for the
National Art Materials Trade Association (NAMTA) convention and trade show, where we were able to see some of the newest products on the market from more than 200 exhibitors. Not only was it great to meet some of the manufacturers and retailers, but to see these materials in action—either by playing with them ourselves or watching an artist do so—was quite exciting!
Fortunately, new trends this year included earth-friendly products and supplies—as Maureen, the editor of our sister publication,
The Artist’s Magazine, said, “green is the new primary color”—so be on the lookout for more eco-friendly art information in the future.
On our last day, as the convention was coming to a close, Maureen and I ventured out into town for a trip to the
Nevada Museum of Art (NMA). A modest space, the museum has a great collection that includes some California scene painters—and hosts worthwhile exhibitions such as “Frank Lloyd Wright & The House Beautiful” (on display through July 20). We took the museum associate’s suggestion to start at the top of the building, where a playful, dancing rabbit lured us out onto the rooftop terrace. The hare, Barry Flanagan's bronze sculpture,
Large Left-Handed Drummer, is a big deal for the museum: Newly arrived, it last exhibited at Union Square Park in Manhattan. (It should be noted also that NMA restaurant Café Musée is excellent.)
And now, some photos:
Flying over Salt Lake City
Seat covers on the buses (that took NAMTA attendees to and from the hotel to the convention center) promoted
Watercolor Artist, as well as sister publications
The Pastel Journal and
The Artist’s Magazine. That’s Maureen, editor of
TAM.
Part of our space at the show
A champagne toast at Daler-Rowney
View of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, as seen from the roof of the Nevada Museum of Art
Barry Flanagan’s
Large Left-Handed Drummer (Nevada Museum of Art)
Some cool benches outside the NMA
The NMA’s newest acquisition by Dennis Oppenheim. Looks like engagement rings, no? Hence the title,
Engagement. According to the museum, the steel sculpture is “a monument to the institution of marriage and ties directly to Reno’s history of quick marriage and easy divorce.”
... and wouldn’t you know, we had a wedding chapel right in our very own hotel.