The Ely Renaissance Society is proud to
have financed over twenty outdoor murals
and sculptures which tell the story of our
rich heritage in our 11 block downtown area.
The Murals...
The Ely Renaissance Society was formed
in August of 1999, a month after the
sudden closure of our largest mining
operation which employed over 400
people. Ely had always been the center
of White Pine County’s mining and
ranching families and the downtown
area had faced years of “boom and bust”
economy. During the good times,
businesses opened and some were
renovated; during the bad times,
businesses closed and deteriorated. The
closure of the mine and the loss of 400
jobs underscored the need for an
economy that was not based on only one
or two natural resources but was
broader and more solidly diversified.
Attracting any business would depend
upon a more welcoming area, especially
in the downtown area.

Thus the Ely Renaissance Society was
formed and undertook the task of
creating an outdoor cultural art gallery
winding through the historic downtown.
Recognizing the richness of Ely’s
history, the Society chose the theme
“Where the World Met and Became One”
which tells the story of the various
ethnic groups who came to Eastern
Nevada to work in the mines, ranches,
and businesses. The groups brought a
rich diversity to this community. Using
White Pine’s unique historical theme to
create giant canvases of art on outside
walls, the project sparked a sense of
pride and revitalization to the
community.

By the end of summer 2003, four years,
after the idea of outdoor art was
generated, over ten murals had been
commissioned by the Society as well as
two sculptures. Currently the Ely
Renaissance Society is proud to have
financed over twenty outdoor murals
and sculptures which tell the story of
our rich heritage in our 11 block
downtown area.

The Society believes that the outdoor art
gallery should be as diverse as the
history that it depicts. The artists have
been chosen not only for their
outstanding talent, but also for a variety
of artistic styles ranging from abstract
impressionism to trompel’oiel to abstract
expressionism.

As you enjoy this visual recording of Ely’
s outdoor art, we hope you will have a
lasting keepsake and will be enticed to
visit. By combining history with art and
placing it in the outdoor domain,
accessible to all, art becomes an
everyday part of life. The history lessons
expressed on the walls ensure that our
mining and ranching heritage is forever
enshrined.

The lessons that formed a united
community from a variety of ethnic
backgrounds become an ever-visible
story of accomplishment, pride, and
hope.
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Prints of the murals are available in our
web store, and also at the
Renaissance Village General Store.
Our Murals and Sculptures
The Artists
Take the "ART WALK". Pick up a brochure from
the White Pine Chamber of Commerce.
Click on pictures for more information.
Thank you to local artist John
Steinnauer who undertakes the
monumental task of maintaining
our murals. Especially in this
climate this is no small task!

Visit John's Studio here...
Many thanks to all who have helped to erect
these sculptures and monuments. Their hard
work and volunteering equipment, and even
rocks ( very large rocks ) help to make our
efforts come to life!

Also, a big thank you to those who tirelessly
show up to weed all of our areas, the park,
the murals, and the Ely Renaissance Village.
Thank you to local sign painter and
puppeteer Phil Fickes for his on going
update of the Ely Renaissance billboard
located on the side of the Plaza Hotel. Keep
up with the ERS events by watching this
sign!
When speaking of artists we cannot overlook those
who have a rare and welcome gift of landscape
gardening. The Ely Renaissance Society is very
fortunate to have volunteers who graciously use their
talents, time, tools, and even their own plants to make
our grounds beautiful! These artists cultivate hillsides
with just the right follage and bringing life to all they
touch in the form of beautiful flower beds and perfect
plants.

A special acknowledgement goes to artists  Sharon
Rosiz, Joyce Christensen and Lorainne Clark for their
landscape genius,  green thumbs and persistence in
feeding, weeding and watering, and of course Anthony
Ithurralde for talking to the plants *s* and watering.
These dedicated volunteers give all of the ERS
projects their special touch.