Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) Art Galleries are showcasing four exciting exhibitions, consisting of two individual local artists and two group shows, running Monday, Feb. 10–Thursday, Mar. 13, at four locations on the Dandini Campus. There will be an opening reception and talk by Rachel Stiff, our Main Gallery exhibitor, on Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 5–7 p.m. at the V. James Eardley Student Center and Red Mountain Gallery on the third floor in the Red Mountain Building on the Dandini Campus. Refreshments will be available, and exhibitions will be free and open to the public.
The TMCC Main Gallery will feature Arid, Infinite, Above by Rachel Stiff. Stiff examines the intricate relationship between time, space, and the ever-shifting landscapes of northern Nevada, focusing on the immense skies above and the arid land beneath her feet. Drawn to the contradictory qualities of this region and the way an open desert feels at once timeless and in constant flux. Through walks, runs, and slow rambles across the Washoe Valley and her surrounding home range, she is immersed in light, color, and texture cycles, transforming the land with each passing hour, season, and year. Repetition and physical engagement with the landscape are essential to her artistic process to witness subtle environmental transitions.
“Through her work, Rachel Stiff amplifies the quiet yet profound energy of our landscapes, seamlessly blending the cosmic scale of the skies above with the intimate, relatable experiences of the land. This interplay results in a captivating dialogue, familiar and mysterious, encouraging viewers to explore the depths of their connection to the natural world,” said Kyle Karrasch, Art Galleries Curator.
The Red Mountain Gallery will display a group show by Clayton Middle School students titled The Artwork of Clayton Middle School. This exhibition showcases sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-grade students’ remarkable imagination. With a vibrant spectrum of drawings and paintings, the exhibition is a testament to the potential of young minds when allowed to express themselves freely. Students were chosen based on talent, creativity, effort, and attitude. These qualities reflect their skill as emerging artists and their passion for exploring the world through art. By granting these students the freedom to choose their medium, subject, and format, the show offers an authentic glimpse into the unique perspectives and voices of the Clayton Middle School community.
“In this enchanting group exhibition organized by Delphina Martinez, [Certified Art Staff at Clayton Middle School], we proudly present the phenomenal artwork created by the talented students. Each selected their medium and subject matter, resulting in a rich tapestry reflecting their diverse perspectives and unique voices. This exhibition showcases individual talents and innovative spirit, celebrating their ability to express themselves in powerful and personal ways. As viewers engage with the artwork, they experience the intense exploration of ideas, emotions, and narratives emerging from the imaginations of these budding creators. It is a testament to the power of artistic freedom and the importance of fostering creativity in our youth,” said Karrasch.
The Erik Lauritzen Gallery, located on the third floor of the Red Mountain Building near office 321, features Printmakers’ Conspiracy: Building Community Through Printmaking. Printmakers’ Conspiracy is a team dedicated to cultivating a thriving printmaking community in Reno and its surrounding areas. Their mission is to foster meaningful connections among artists of all skill levels who are passionate about this versatile and expressive medium. They aim to enrich the regional art scene and elevate printmaking practices by creating collaboration, dialogue, and creative exchange. Their activities include conversations, informal get-togethers, workshops, and curated exhibitions designed to celebrate the diversity and innovation within printmaking. Each event allows members to share techniques, inspire one another, and grow individually and collectively.
“In this captivating group exhibition collated by Candace Garlock, TMCC Fine Arts Instructor, you will experience the innovative results of monotype printmaking using a gelatin matrix. With such a versatile medium encouraging experimentation, the participating artists broke free from conventional boundaries. Throughout this challenge, they harnessed the spontaneous nature of gelation prints to create works ranging from abstract compositions to detailed representations of their personal experiences. Each piece reflects their voice, revealing the unique stories they wish to convey, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the myriad of colors, textures, and forms characterizing this body of work. From playful explorations of nature to introspective examinations of identity, the themes present in this show exemplify the breadth of creativity arising when manipulating their medium,” said Karrasch.
The Red Mountain Student Gallery on the third floor also features In Search of Light by Anthony Jacks. In Search of Light explores the concept of transition—those moments where change is subtle yet profound. Through long-exposure photography, light painting, and multiple layers, Jacks creates images capturing the feeling of moving between worlds—where time and space seem to distort and shift. This series is about the spaces in between, where transformation happens, blurring the boundaries of reality. Each piece in this series is an experiment in distortion, where light becomes both the tool and the subject, creating motion and mystery. The goal is to transport you into liminal spaces—the strange, in-between places where time stretches out, light twists, and things are not quite what they seem. By layering exposures, Jacks add depth to the scene, making these images feel like snapshots of moments before they slip into another dimension.
“It is a pleasure to highlight the exceptional work of one of my students, Anthony Jacks, whose long-exposure photography vividly explores the theme of liminal spaces. In his captivating pieces, he masterfully blurs the boundaries of reality, inviting viewers into transient moments between worlds. His innovative use of light and time evokes a sense of mystery and introspection, encouraging us to reflect on the impermanence of our experiences. His artistic vision is profound and evocative and speaks to the transformative power of camerawork. I am excited to see how he continues to forge forges his unique path,” said Karrasch.
For more information, please visit the Art Galleries website or call 775-673-7233.