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The Generator is a community art space in Sparks that started out as a Burning Man art collective. Through the years, some of the large-scale art pieces for the Playa have been created there.
"We've done things like the Man Pavilion and the Temple and these really huge, 60-foot-tall sculptures," said Jessi Janusee, Communications Director for the Generator. "But now we're more diverse and we have people that work here year round."
Membership has grown to more than 270 over the last six years.
"I moved here four years ago because of the artist community, because of the Generator, from San Francisco," Janusee said. "I was like wow, it's way more affordable and this community is amazing and that's just happening every day. People will walk in and say, I'm moving here from North Carolina, from Boston, and I've heard about your art scene and I want to be a part of it. We want to be able to welcome those people and get their skill sets in here and make even cooler stuff."
The 35,000-square-foot warehouse has been put to good use during that time.
"Some people have a resident artist space but a lot of people are just using common shops," Janusee said. They just come in for the day, build something in the wood shop or the metal shop and then take their project home with them."
The last year has been a bit unsettling for the nonprofit; their building on Icehouse Avenue is for sale. They've signed a three-year lease that the hope is for a more permanent home in the future.
"We signed a lease but the building is still on the market and we have 90 days if it gets sold," Janusee said. "Right now it's on the market for $3.8 million. We're just going to hunker down and stay here as long as we can but the rising prices in Reno and Sparks are really taking a toll on us as a little nonprofit arts community. We would love to buy a building eventually, but is a lot of money, so we're looking for help. Help us buy an awesome building!"
They've been working on fundraising ideas and community outreach opportunities. The monthly Art of Tap art social is a way to invite the community to see the space and what's created there.
"Art on Tap is on the 21st this month," Janusee said. "It's completely free. We have a gallery show, kombucha, beer and snacks and you can come and see our space and maybe get involved and make some art with us."
