During World War II, the Ghost Army, formally known as the U.S. Army’s Twenty Third Headquarters Special Troops, used disguise, sound, and radio deception to mislead the Germans about the location, strength, and movements of U.S. Army units. These tactical successes were a critical part of a vast inter-Allied deception effort that stretched from the front lines to high-level military headquarters to the halls of spy agencies in London. Overall, these deceptions consistently left the Germans befuddled about Allied strategy, intentions, and operations. 

From rubber tanks to double agents, learn about deception techniques used by the Ghost Army and its British comrades in arms, many of which are still applicable today, with Dr. Mark Stout, former intelligence officer, former Historian of the International Spy Museum, and adjunct instructor at John Hopkins University. Dr. Stout will showcase tools of the craft throughout military history and demonstrate how deception helped Allied commanders while avoiding confusion with actual military plans. 

Jeffrey Pongonis is a Landscape Architect and Urban Designer committed to the implementation of a meaningful and connected environment. Working nationally from the MKSK Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio studios, Pongonis employs a process that is focused and mindful of both the aesthetic details of robust social spaces as well as the greater urban strategy. He is committed to the creation of honest and timeless public open space of all sizes and scales.

*Doors open at 5 pm with hosted beer. Program begins at 6 pm.

Presented in partnership with Black Rock Design Institute and the Northern Section Nevada Chapter, American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).  

NOTE: This event is now sold out. An additional session was added at 3 pm. Please click here to register in advance. 

Born of a legendary family of early environmentalists in the Bay Area, Adaline Kent (1900 – 1957) was an energetic innovator and a self-proclaimed “addict of the High Sierra.” Her love of this landscape can be traced in her abstract artworks that merge her interest in the natural world with a steadfast pursuit of authenticity.

Join Curatorial Assistant, Kolin Perry, for a guided tour of the exhibition, bringing together more than 120 works that span Kent’s entire career – many of which have not been seen by the public in over half a century. 

NOTE: This is a guided tour that will take place on the 2nd floor in the Adaline Kent exhibition. Meet on 2nd floor landing.

The Second World War was the dominant force impacting fashion of the 1940s. Civilian clothing was impacted by the rationing of materials as the need for uniforms took precedence. Join us for a discussion with Megan Bellister, Curator of Learning and Engagement, on ways in which necessity and limitations led to innovation in fashion in the U.S. and abroad.  

Ellsworth Kelly is an American abstract painter, sculptor, and printmaker recognized for his bold use of color and form. Join us as Carter Foster, Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs at Blanton Museum of Art, discusses Kelly’s practice.

*Doors open at 5:30 pm with a cash bar. 

A program of the Debra and Dennis Scholl Distinguished Speaker Series

Peter Goin, Foundation Professor of Art at the University of Nevada, Reno looks at the American West through the lens of photographer Robert Adams. Join us for a discussion around how Adams and his peers in the 1970s began to stray from the picturesque images of the American landscape and begin to document the New Topographics, a less romanticized view of industrial landscapes, suburban sprawl, and emphasizing human impact on the land.

Thought on Tap is a public engagement series that brings together diverse panelists from the University of Nevada, Reno, and the larger Nevada community for important conversations around timely topics. The 2022-2023 season of Thought on Tap explores the American Experience, while examining concepts from the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States such as “a more perfect Union,” “the general Welfare,” and “the Blessings of Liberty.” This event will delve into the phrase “insure domestic Tranquility.”

Join Erica Roth (Deputy General Counsel to Governor Sisolak), Ignacio Montoya (Assistant Professor of English and Linguistics, UNR), and Katie Wolf (Ph.D. Student, UNR English) in a lively discussion moderated by Nasia Anam (Assistant Professor of English, UNR) on the various ways “insure domestic Tranquility” can be interpreted today. 

Some questions that will be addressed are: How did the framers imagine “tranquility” would look in the new nation of the United States? How are we as a people tasked to “insure” the tranquility of our fellow Americans now? How do we interpret the term “domestic,” both in terms of our nation-state and our individual homes and families? How does our modern government “insure” domestic tranquility through legislation? How is the concept of the “domestic” complicated by questions of gender, race, and indigeneity? 

*Cash bar open from 5 – 7:30 pm

Thought on Tap is presented by Core Humanities at the University of Nevada, Reno. Click here to learn more about upcoming programs. 

Join us in examining the tensions between designed placemaking and bottom-up cultural meaning making in our built environments. Using Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center as a regional case study presenters will share findings from a multiyear interdisciplinary place-based research project that contextualizes tales of the wild west, booming industry, and a radical envisioned future. Together we will discuss human-centered approaches to community creation.

Presenters include: Dr. Jan English-Lueck, Dr. Kerry Rohrmeier and Tracy Fish, MFA.

*Doors open at 5 pm with hosted beer. Program begins at 6 pm.

Presented in partnership with Black Rock Design Institute.

This program will be held in the Wayne L. Prim Theater.

NOTE: This event has been canceled and will be postponed for a future date, still to be determined. Please contact claire.munoz@nevadaart.org with questions.

Sydney Cain (aka sage stargate) (she/them), is a visual artist born and raised in San Francisco, CA. Their work reflects encounters with unseen realities. Cain’s work draws on their family’s genealogy, and the intersections of urban renewal and displacement on the psychic, spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing of marginalized communities. Cain’s work, And They Are Not Afraid of the Night Because They Are the Color of It, 2021 is part of the Museum’s permanent collections and currently on view in the exhibition, In Frequencies. Join us for a presentation followed by a discussion moderated by Lance L. Smith.

Join us for the opening of the 2022 Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl as author Aimee Nezhukumatathil discusses her work, World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments.

This year’s Nevada Humanities Literary Crawl features dozens of readings of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry on and around California Avenue, workshops, panel discussions, art, family-friendly activities, and a few surprises! Access to all events is free, and all ages are welcome to participate.

To register for the opening keynote and to view the full schedule of programs, please visit Nevada Humanities.