Foundation helps Northeastern Nevada Museum expand collection

ELKO -- Northeastern Nevada Museum officials say the Great Basin Western Art Foundation is proving to be a good first step toward creating a central repository for Western and Great Basin art.

Since launching a drive in September with a goal of 25 first-year members and expanding the current museum collection, the foundation has signed 20 members and obtained four new pieces of art.

"The reason we created the foundation was to get interest in collecting more art," said Claudia Wines, museum director. "They (members) will be the core of our big idea."

Wines told the Elko Daily Free Press that plans call for remodeling the oldest section of the facility and expanding into the parking lot in the rear of the building.

Wines said the project, with an estimated cost of $4 million, will be headed by the foundation.

Despite the expansive plans and big price tag, Wines said she was confident the project won't take away from the historical focus of the museum.

"We are trying to become a Western art museum in addition to a history museum, but we need more building space," she said.

Every three months, new artists are featured at the museum.

Currently, Micqaela Jones and David Stoecklein have their art displayed on the walls of the two museum galleries, and the museum has exhibits lined up for the next three years in its two art galleries.

Wines said space constraints are limiting other artists who want to display their work.

"We could get a lot more pictures if we had the place to display them," she said.