Public Art Planned for Truckee Springs

Truckee Springs marked many firsts for the Truckee Donner Land Trust, and as we near the finish line for fundraising, poised to purchase the property this June, one aspect our staff and volunteer campaign committee is particularly excited about is public art.

Set on the southern bank of the Truckee River opposite our historic downtown core, Truckee Springs is the first urban open space park type project the Land Trust has done, preserving undeveloped land for the community to enjoy – right smack-dab in the middle of town. This opens up unique opportunities compared to our usual protects that protect far-flung wildernesses.

“This property marks a different direction for us, so including public art seems fitting,” said Perry Norris, co-executive director of the Land Trust.

As a conservation organization, the Land Trust has prioritized art that connects with, rather than distracts from, the natural environment.

Heading up the group of volunteers working on the public art process is Carole Sesko, a member of Truckee’s Public Art Commission who has been involved in numerous art projects in our community.

“Truckee is famous for its recreational opportunities, for places that physically challenge us – but there are fewer opportunities to stretch the mind, and bringing art to Truckee Springs gives us the chance to bring those two things together,” Sesko said.

While the plan for public art is being finalized, our volunteer group is honing in on two main ideas: one art piece that honors the history of the Washoe Tribe on the land, and another that recognizes donors to the project.

That piece, which will go out for Request for Proposals soon, will be funded by the Spirit Burns Fund, honoring the late Tim Burns and administered by his partner, Joan Duffield, who has also been deeply involved in the public art process for Truckee Springs.

Once proposals come in and are considered, the Land Trust hopes to have the art pieces completed and installed on the property by 2022 or 2023.