Local artists invite community members to connect-distantly at downtown river gathering
Amid a summer of limited social interaction and countless cancellations, local artists gather every Sunday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. in downtown Reno across from Hub Coffee Roasters to connect with community members through art and the freedom of expression.
In an effort to make art accessible to the public during difficult times, sculptor and visual artist, Holly Spahr, helped organize the gatherings known as the Bummer Summer 2020 Revival Series with local muralist, Asa Kennedy. In response to COVID-19, Spahr said that certain artistic avenues, such as art shows and multidisciplinary events like Artown Reno, were limited due to capacity restrictions and social distance guidelines.
During last Sunday’s meetup on August 23, Spahr told the Downtown Reno Partnership how important it is to create a space for anyone to get involved—each week she provides paint supplies and pallet boards donated by Verdi Local Distillery.
“I have acrylic paints and paint brushes to give people… I think we have three or four community boards going right now,” Spahr said.
Several community members painted the boards while enjoying the acoustics of a local musician who frequently attends the series. Another local woman was working on a chair, which will soon be up for auction at Artech, a local nonprofit dedicated to the arts.
Since the series began July 26, Spahr and Kennedy continue to bring specific art pieces to work on each week. Situated alongside the Truckee River Pathway, many passersby stopped to admire the ingenuity of both artists. On average, the gatherings attract six to eight people but Spahr hopes more will eventually join in on the fun.
On Sunday, August 23, Local artists and community members enjoyed the nice weather together alongside the Truckee River for the weekly Bummer Summer 2020 Revival Series. 
Holly Spahr, known on Instagram as @monstermouthstudios, provides art supplies for anyone looking to get involved with the Bummer Summer Revival series. Donations are appreciated. Photo by Tamara Snight The Bummer Summer 2020 Revival Series meets every Sunday across from Hub Coffee Roasters in downtown Reno. Photo by Tamara Snight Posing next to a couple pieces of her artwork, Holly Spahr aims to create an outdoor gallery where people can be socially distant but still feel like they’re a part the community. Photo by Tamara Snight Asa Kennedy is a local muralist whose artwork can be spotted all around the city of Reno. Photo by Tamara Snight
“It’s a bummer summer so a lot of people are just out walking the streets and maybe they need a place to land for a while and enjoy themselves and get artistic and creative amongst the community so this can be a positive platform for them,” Spahr said.
People are welcomed into the gatherings with compassion and care—a few of the attendees expressed the overwhelming challenges of starting a project from scratch and were happy to contribute to an on-going project. One of the community boards pictured an alligator in a desert-space landscape with a UFO flying above.
The Bummer Summer 2020 Revival Series represents Reno’s diverse art culture centered around community involvement. Downtown features a wide range of public art installations including sculptures from Burning Man. Typically held the week before Labor Day, the 9-day desert gathering, was canceled this year due to COVID-19.
What better way to uplight community spirit with a free, local art gathering by the beautiful Truckee river?
For more information on the Bummer Summer 2020 Revival Series or how to get involved, follow Spahr @monstermouthstudios or Kennedy @asakennedyart on Instagram.