The Depot Gallery, a spot for local artists to display their works in a historic train depot in Downtown Sparks, is now featuring local authors as well. Sierra Arts Foundation has long been known for supporting local artists; now the nonprofit is helping writers as well.
"It's hard for those of us that are independently published to get into the bigger stores," said local author Jacci Turner. "So anytime we can sell a book it means a lot to us. I came and got five books sold the first day I was here."
Sierra Arts Foundation is moving into the literary realm with this space.
"We have so many published authors in Northern Nevada that I was not aware of," said Tia Flores, Program Director for Sierra Arts Foundation. "And once we started working with them and reaching out, we realized we need a place for them to sell their books and that's how this bookstore came about."
The space is also a gathering place for authors, poets and book lovers. There are monthly meetings, workshops, and a chance to meet some of the writers with works on the shelves.
"It's really important because readers are very solitary people," Turner said. "Often they don't get out much, but they need that connection, that support and encouragement."
It's a literary community that continues to grow.
"The meetings are open to anybody," Flores said. "Art lover, book reader, writer, poet, anybody that has a love for literature or want to be in the company of literary artists, we welcome you. It's a contagious group that we just really want to be a part of."
More information: https://sierraarts.org/
