Three-day conference an oasis of Nevada culture

The Nevada Arts Council is planning a three-day conference to highlight Carson City as a cultural oasis.

Beginning Wednesday, the Oasis 2003 conference will feature speakers, tours, panel discussions and open houses looking at the idea of culture from several perspectives. The three main approaches will be diversity, economy and technology, according to Bob Harmon, public information officer for the arts council.

From archaeology on the Comstock and marketing in the Internet age to contemporary art collections and volunteering at museums, Nevada's culture is varied.

"The Oasis conference will provide those people with an opportunity to come together, network, and hopefully they'll come away with fresh ideas on how to approach what they do," Harmon said.

Wednesday will include a number of "pre-conference" activities. A round-table discussion of collections at the Nevada State Museum is planned along with a session on networking and, in the evening, a "Salon de Musee."

"In real terms, that's an open house at the museum," Harmon said. The evening event will feature a more relaxed atmosphere than usually seen at the State Museum with refreshments and live music by the Erika Paul Jazz Trio. In the Nevada State Museum Plaza, between the museum buildings, revelers can see the recently restored World War II French "Merci" railroad car.

One of several auxiliary activities is Wednesday's 23rd annual Governor's Arts Awards at the Brewery Arts Center. Registered participants get $10 off tickets for the ceremony.

Most of the conference is planned for Thursday, however, with a full day of activities, starting with a 7 a.m. registration and breakfast at the center, 449 W. King St.

Keynote speaker Mel Chin is an artist from North Carolina known for a broad range of approaches to art, ranging from "cross-cultural esthetics" to teamwork collaborations. Although the fliers for the conference list his topic as "Animating Communities Through Public Art," Chin has changed it to "Diversity -- the Spice of Life."

Also planned for Thursday are sessions covering topics ranging from

reaching the community by co-creating a civic museum to partnerships in cultural technology. Afternoon sessions will bring new perspectives to topics like "Mining Nevada's Cultural Agencies" and "Digging Up Diversity."

An evening reception hosted by the Nevada Library Association will be at the Nevada State Library and Archives building.

Friday's post-conference activities include a introduction to nonprofit management and a presentation by Professor Sue Fawn Chung of the University of Nevada, Reno called "Tireless and Unremitting: The Chinese and Nevada's Railroad."

"There's some nuts-and-bolts sessions, and then there are some that will be just fascinating," Harmon said.

He said Chung, who recently was featured on the PBS special "American Experience," packed the railroad museum during a recent presentation.

"People were hanging off the trains to see her," he said.

The conference registration fee of $35 includes all conference materials, meals and receptions. The registration deadline has been extended to Monday.

IF YOU GO

What: Oasis 2003 Conference

When: Wednesday through Friday

Where: Brewery Arts Center, Nevada State Museum, Nevada State Railroad Museum, Nevada State Library and Archives, Marjorie Russell Clothing & Textile Research Center

Cost: $35

For information and conference registration: Call 687-6680 or visit the Department of Cultural Affairs Web site at: NevadaCulture.org