Chalk the walk

Brilliant and unique pastel colors splashed the City Plaza in downtown Reno on Saturday morning for Reno's first Chalk the Walk, featuring dozens of colorful murals celebrating the Wild West.

Erika Cole O'Malley, director of Reno Chalk the Walk, moved to Reno six months ago from her hometown of San Antonio, Texas, where they often hold mural festivals.

"Mural Festivals are everywhere in the country, so it was time Reno had one for the rodeo and Artown." O'Malley said. "The event was planned three months ago, which was not nearly enough time, but we did pretty well."

The Reno Chalk the Walk partnered with the Rodeo Community Spirit Committee.

"I couldn't do this without (Reno Rodeo Association Chairperson) Jari Sutton, who gave us half of our budget," O'Malley said. "The other half was given by Councilman David Aiazzi, who is also taking part with the Tour De Nez bicycle race."

The organization also supports Artown.

"It's a great way to show people they have a beautiful downtown."

O'Malley had been at the downtown plaza since 6 a.m. Friday, only leaving for sleep. To create the project, she set out calls for three professional artists for commission and local professional or amateur artists who also wanted to volunteer.

She invited local schools and local programs, like Big Brothers and Big Sisters, for volunteers to create the murals.

The theme was Wild West of Nevada.

The three professional artists were Ray Valdez, Larissa Sokolova and Genna Panzarella, who won the top award at the world's oldest street painting festival in Grazie, Italy. Her piece in Reno is of a young cowboy.

Valdez, a local artist and fine arts teacher at Coral Academy of Science Charter School, created a nature composition featuring an American Indian and a horse.

"I wanted to take a different perspective on what I know best," Valdez said. "I feel fortunate and honored to be part of this, and it's nice to see the city include art with the rodeo."

Valdez also works with Youth Artworks, an eight-year program that teaches art for young people. Many in the program also took part.

"The Youth Artworks program is solid, we always get a good group of kids." Valdez said.

Larissa Sokolova has been in Reno for eight years after leaving Russia. She received her master's degree in arts and architecture in her home country and has been creating art all her life.

Her mural was entitled, "A High Noon Duel between the Old West and the New West," depicting cowboys on horses of the Old West and the kayakers and bicyclists of today.

Her husband Greg Kusik, a Citifare bus driver who's been in Reno for 15 years, gave her the idea.

"He gave me the idea of the old and new West combination," Sokolova said. "So the piece is a family project."

Rossitza Todorova, a professional artist who volunteered for Chalk the Walk, was working on her piece featuring an action scene of a cowboy chasing a calf.

Originally from Bulgaria, Todorova is received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 2005.

"To me, the rodeo is so romanticized to represent America," Todorova said.

Chalk the Walk was partnered with other events of the day including the Wine Walk, the Reno Rodeo and rodeo parade.

"We wanted this day to have so many different events so people could be here all day doing something." O'Malley said.

Todorova plans to spend the rest of her weekend in downtown Reno.

"With Artown, the rodeo, and the Tour de Nez, this has created a great melting pot of the West."

See Ray Valdez's exhibit

Photos: Andy Barron/Reno Gazette-Journal

Above: American Indian artist Rey Valdez participates in the Chalk the Walk art competition at the downtown City Plaza. Valdez, a local artist and fine arts teacher at Coral Academy of Science Charter School, created a nature composition featuring an American Indian and a horse. Top: Artist Chelsea Speranza, 15, shows her chalk-covered hands at the Chalk the Walk art competition.