Art collection on display through Nov. 20

Submitted Article

The Eureka activities “Wally’s World: The Loneliest Art Collection in Nevada”, featuring 35 pieces of art from Wally Cuchine’s collection will be on display at the Eureka County Courthouse through Nov. 20.

In 1987, Life Magazine described U.S. Hwy. 50 across the center of Nevada as “The Loneliest Road in America.” The magazine particularly mentioned the 287-mile stretch between Fernley and Ely as “remote with few points of interest” and it urged travelers to have “survival skills” to make the journey. Exhibit curator, Jim McCormick titled this NTI-Traveling Exhibition, “The Loneliest Art Collection in Nevada” because Wally Cuchine’s art collection is located in Eureka, NV on Hwy. 50’s route.

For more than two decades, residents in this part of rural Nevada have experienced a breadth of quality cultural events thanks to Wally Cuchine’s personal passion for the arts. As director of the Eureka Opera House for over 18 years, Cuchine consistently presented first-class entertainment to residents and visitors. Known for his unflagging commitment to and support of artists, and his unswerving faith that the art and artists of Nevada are a valuable resource, he has acquired an unparalleled personal collection of Nevada art.

Cuchine brought a unique pursuit with him to Eureka insofar as conservative, down-to-earth ranchers and business folks were concerned—Art. And he arrived with his own gallery. Beginning in 1978 with an 18’ travel trailer, expanding to a 26’ model after that, and finally moving his 14’x60’ Charter Mobile Home from Ely to Eureka, Cuchine hung art in every available nook and cranny in each of them.

Cuchine estimates his art collection at 1,500 to 2,000 works. A small fraction of the collection is represented in Wally’s World—35 works, about one percent of his collection. “Wally’s World” is a testament to one individual’s tenacity in expressing his passion for art. His collection and this exhibition are a generous gift to the state he so deeply cherishes.

Exhibit artists include: Ron Arthaund, Lyle V. Ball, Cheryln Bennett, Ralph Bennett, Max Bunnell, Thelma Calhoun, Robert Cole Caples, Mary Chadwell, Diane Dunn, Mary Lee Fulkerson, Ruth Hilts, Larry Jacox, James Lawrence, Jean Legassick, Laverne Lightfoot, Gary Link, Barbara Maclean, Sharon Maczko, Jack Malotte, Jim McCormick, Marilyn R. Melton, Jeff Nicholson, Ron Oden, Dennis Parks, Mimi Patrick, Nancy Peppin, Brent Perkins, Roy Powers, Barbara Prodaniuk, Shirley Shaft, Annabelle Shelly, Craig Sheppard, Sidne Teske, Wally Wallace and Larry Williamson. Gallery Notes essay be exhibit curator, Jim McCormick.

ABOUT Curated and Gallery Notes by Jim McCormick and organized by the Nevada Arts Council, “Wally World: The Loneliest Art Collection in Nevada” is part of the Nevada Touring Initiative — Traveling Exhibiion Program, and is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Nevada Humanities, and the Nevada State Legislature. The Nevada Arts Council is a division of the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.

There will be a meet and greet with Cuchine on Oct. 20 from 12-1 p.m.