Jim McCormick, Champion of Arts and Artists in Nevada

A Summary of Artist Jim McCormick's Impact on Nevada's Arts Community

Jon Winet, co-founder of Capital City Arts Initiative and professor at the University of Iowa School of Art writes, "Jim McCormick has played a central role in the development of contemporary art in northern Nevada for fifty years. His irrepressible spirit of creative discovery, combined with his generous dedication to promoting the work of his students and peers have been critical to the cultural life of the area."

Jim McCormick was Professor Emeritus at the University of Nevada, Reno where he taught from 1960 to 1992.

Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1936, he attended the University of Tulsa where he received an MA in painting and printmaking. He joined the art faculty of UNR in 1960, offering instruction in a variety of disciplines including printmaking, drawing, visual foundations and papermaking prior to his retirement in 1992.

In his 1997 book Mapping the Empty, William Fox wrote about McCormick and his work, noting, "reading McCormick's resume is a lesson in professional restraint. In just over two pages it neatly summarizes a career that, if fully documented, would run to volumes...”

In 1989 Jim McCormick was honored with the UNR Distinguished Teacher Award, and in 1998, he was the recipient of the UNR Distinguished Faculty Award.

He was a founding member of what is now the Nevada Arts Council, and was recently honored at the Nevada Arts Council’s 50th Anniversary event. He served on the Nevada State Council on the Arts (now Nevada Arts Council) from 1963 to 1970, and from 1980 to 1989. He was the first board president for Capital City Arts Initiative in Carson City. In 1990, he received the Governor’s Art Award for Excellence in the Arts.

In the early 1970s, Jim McCormick lived in Silver City, Nevada, where he built home composed of connected geodesic domes and participated in the town's volunteer fire department, park development, and the town board. Later his son Theo bought the unique Silver City house and added additional rooms. Today the dome house, known as McCormick House, serves as the housing for the Resident Artist Program in Silver City that is directed and funded by his son Theo McCormick and daughter-in-law, Quest Lakes. (Read more about the history of the house here: https://www.recordcourier.com/news/local/cultivating-inspiration-at-the-mccormick-domes/

Sabbaticals: During 1970, he was on sabbatical leave from UNR and lived in New York at the legendary Chelsea Hotel with his family while he was at the Printmaking Workshop.

For the year of 1981, he was on sabbatical leave from UNR, touring Europe with his son Theo, visiting major museums and galleries in 12 countries.

In 1989 he was on sabbatical leave and created a monumental print-sculpture titled “Vista” that was shown at UNR, and later at Burning Man (1992).

From 1982--1991 Jim was the Co-Director of UNR’s Overseas Theatre/Visual Arts Tour (London, Paris, Amsterdam, Russia and China.)

Exhibitions: Prints, drawings and mixed media works by Jim have been featured in solo exhibitions at a number of institutions including Philbrook Art Center, Tulsa; Davidson College, North Carolina; University of Maine, Orono; University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Western Nevada College, Carson City; James Kaneko Gallery at American River College (Sacramento); and Sierra Nevada Museum of Art (now Nevada Museum of Art), Sierra Arts, Stremmel Gallery, and McKinley Art and Culture Center, all in Reno. His work has been in numerous group exhibitions including Pratt Graphics Center and Grippi Gallery in New York, San Francisco Museum of Art, Dallas Museum of Fine Art in Texas, Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, Ball State University and Purdue University in Indiana, University of North Dakota, Tuscon Art Center in Arizona, La Grange Art Association in Georgia, Mercyhurst College in Pennsylvania, Western Washington State College in Washington, Clemson University in South Carolina, Trenton State College in New Jersey, Olivet College in Michigan, Philbrook Art Center in Oklahoma, Truckee Meadows Community College, Rancho San Rafael, Eureka Opera House, Nevada Institute of Contemporary Art in Vegas, The Holland Project ("Resound") and Oakton Community College in Illinois, among many others. His works hang in a number of private and public collections including U.S. Bank, City of Reno, Renown Health Systems and Comstock Bank.

Publications: Jim illustrated several books of poetry and co-authored Brushwork Diary, published by the University of Nevada Press, and An Elegant Line: The Art of the Sheppard Family, published by the Nevada Museum of Art.

Beginning in 1990, Jim guided the activities of the Nevada Art Research Project at the Nevada Historical Society, a program that documented Nevada-related visual artists from the mid-19th century on. In his capacity as director of NARP, he curated and wrote catalog essays for several exhibitions: Seen About Town: The Art of Lew Hymers, A Reunion of Landmarks: The Paintings of Roy Powers and Wally’s World: The Loneliest Art Collection in Nevada.

Jim co-curated and wrote catalog essays for “Post-war Bohemians in Northern Nevada” (2011) and its sequel, "Far Out! The University Art Scene from 1960-1975 (2011)," both shows featured in the Knowledge Center on the UNR campus. An exhibition titled “Wally’s World: The Loneliest Art Collection in Nevada,” sponsored by the Nevada Arts Council, made a three-year tour of Nevada - a show he co-curated and for which he wrote the catalog essay. Most recently, he again co-curated a traveling exhibit for the Nevada Arts Council: "Brushwork Roundup: The Western Paintings and Drawing of Craig Sheppard."

Always full of a sense of fun, he curated the first Biggest Little Art Show in Nevada in 1982. The exhibit opened at the Student Union Alumni Lounge on the UNR campus and traveled to several venues across Nevada in 1983. California painter and art teacher Guy Diehl judged the show and chose 8 award winners. In 1994 the idea of a miniatures show came up again, and Jim was delighted to be involved with several group exhibitions featuring miniature works at Sierra Arts Foundation's galleries during the 1990s.

Legacy: MaLynda Poulsen-Jones once wrote, "Healthy art communities exist because of the symbiotic relationship between arts organizations, artists, and the patrons of art." This fact is evident in Jim McCormick's legacy in the Nevada arts community. He and his mother, Babette McCormick, granddaughter of French founders of the Texas socialist utopian community La Reunion, were known as generous donors to Nevada arts and culture organizations, a wide range of nonprofits, and many artists and writers.

Capital City Arts Initiative director Sharon Rosse writes, “Our hearts are broken with the news that Jim McCormick, the Lion of Nevada arts, has passed. Jim was CCAI's first board president and first major donor giving the validation, support, wonderful friendship that launched us with confidence.”

Patron of the Arts

Jim and his wife Loretta Terlizzi helped fund high quality exhibit catalogs such as "A Reunion of Landmarks: The Paintings of Roy Powers", and contributed financially to exhibitions such as Post-war Bohemians in Northern Nevada (UNR) and A Brushwork Roundup: Western Paintings and Drawingss by Craig Sheppard (Nevada Arts Council).

And although Jim left the Comstock in 1975, he retained close ties with many Comstock artists and continued to add funding to arts projects in the historic region encompassing Silver City, Gold Hill, Virginia City and Old Town Dayton. For instance, in 2000 he gave a lecture at the Fourth Ward School in Virginia City titled "Why Artists Hang Around the Comstock" that accompanied an art exhibition and book signing of "Mining the Treasures," which was edited by Virginia City resident Mary Beth Hepp-Elam. The book was published by "the 4th Ward School with the support of Jim McCormick". Artists covered in the book include a number of Comstock artists, including Brunhild (Molly Allander), Meg Burns, and Stella Kane (Karen Kreyeski) of Silver City, among others. With a donation by Jim and his wife, Loretta Terlizzi, UNR Archives has a set of long time Virgina City artist Edw Martinez' famed "hairy" Valentines, dating back to 1974. Martinez, former chairperson and emeritus faculty member of UNR's Department of Art and an acclaimed printmaker, is famous for these annual Valentine prints. More recently, Jim donated art to be sold for the benefit of Comstock Residents Association, an organization dedicated to preventing open pit mining within the residential areas of the Comstock National Historic Landmark.

He carried on a tradition of funding arts and culture projects that his mother, Babette McCormick, began. Babette donated generously to Jean Ford's "Into Their Own: Nevada Women Emerging Into Public Life" oral history project and also to "Jean Ford: A Nevada Woman Leads the Way." She was among the major funders for the Nevada Museum of Art's exhibition and book An Elegant Line: The Art of the Sheppard Family (2000). She also funded the Nevada Historical Society's exhibition Sagebrush Studio: Watercolors of R.G. Schofield (2000). In addition, she helped fund a series of Sierra Arts exhibitions for miniature works of art (works could be no larger than 4 square inches) such as The Biggest Little Art Show in Nevada: Gold and Silver (1994); Desert Dice (1996), etc. Babette was also an admirer of William Fox's work, and provided funding that enabled him to "write a substantial portion of the manuscript" for The Void, the Grid and the Sign: Traversing the Great Basin. She also made a "generous contribution" to aid in the publication of Fox's excellent book Mapping the Empty: Eight Artists and Nevada

Susan Boskoff, former director of the Nevada Arts Council, describes Jim McCormick as “An artist, educator, curator, writer, mentor, colleague, friend, activist, raconteur, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, a founder of the Nevada Arts Council...and a wonderful neighbor.”

The Historic Reno Preservation Society notes, “Jim McCormick was not only a friend to the local arts scene but a friend to history. Jim cataloged all Nevada artists, a big project. He was a fantastic artist. He also presented a program at one of HRPS lecture series. HRPS will miss seeing Jim at our programs...”

"We are devastated to lose Jim McCormick, our good friend and supporter who contributed so much to our art and cultural exhibits, "Post-War Bohemians in Northern Nevada" and "Far Out! The University Art Scene, 1960-1975." We were privileged to have worked with him on bringing local art history to life and we are fortunate to house his papers and some of his artwork. Jim was perhaps best known for his artistic talent and his major contributions as a teacher, mentor and friend, but we have also lost his encyclopedic knowledge of Nevada art history. Our deepest condolences to Loretta and the rest of his family, friends, and loved ones."- Special Collections, UNR

"Jim judged the first in our current series of Latimer Art Club's miniature shows 10 years ago," Eileen Longmire Fuller explains. "He was always a champion for the Artists Co-op also...”

"Jim McCormick has played a central role in the shaping of contemporary art in Northern Nevada, and has been an active member of the art community for over fifty years. He was a founding member of the Nevada Arts Council, taught at UNR for over thirty years, served on numerous boards, contributed to dozens of nonprofits, has had artwork in hundreds of exhibits. Most of all - he was a wonderful person, and a tireless advocate for the arts his entire life. Reno would not be the same without him." - post by Reno Big Arts Little City

Nevada Arts Council notes that, "Jim was a fierce and tireless advocate for the arts in Nevada. In 1967, he was a founding member of what is now the Nevada Arts Council. He served on numerous boards and contributed generously to non-profit organizations. His artwork was featured in many one-person and group exhibitions. Jim curated several of the agency’s NTI-Traveling Exhibition including A Brushwork Roundup: Western Paintings and Drawings by Craig Sheppard and Wally’s World: The Loneliest Art Collection in Nevada. Best of all, he was an extraordinarily enjoyable, creative, and kind human being to his core. He will be greatly missed."

Artist Phyllis Shafer writes, “Jim was a wonderful, creative, big-hearted man who touched many.”

Artist Craig Mitchell writes, “Jim, you found me when I was a high-school student in 1978, insisting that I was destined for a career in art, and it has been so: 31 years working only as an artist since graduating UNR. Thank you. Always an insightful critic of my work, you're an understanding friend and true champion of my artistic progress. I'll always speak of you in the present tense; your words are intaglio printed inside me for the duration.”

“Jim had the most beautiful smile. I remember him sitting in the kitchen of Leland House in Austin, Nevada trying to help us get an arts program started in our little town. It was a remarkable evening.” -Elizabeth Rassiga-White

Arist Rossitza L Todorova writes, “ ... Jim was an inspiration. I am so thankful that I knew him and that I own one of his drawings. Just this morning I was thinking about how much I love his work...”

“The Arts in Nevada lost a great champion, as did a lot of people who were touched by his kindness, humor and boundless creativity.”- Teacher Holli Davidson

Arts and Culture Journalist Kris Vagner writes, “And what a fortunate community we are to have known such a kind, warm, wonderful teacher and artist.”

Charles Blim Jr., owner of the Charlie B Gallery in Carson City, writes, “...I will spend a portion of my life telling others about Jim and his powerful impact in my life. I know from talking to so many of his students he had the same impact. He is that person that we maybe meet once in our life... You wore many hats in this life as we know as an artist and teacher and spent almost a quarter century if not more putting the word out on Nevada Art History. I will always call you the Dean of Nevada Art History...”

Artist Julie Sulahria writes of Jim, “A scion of ART in Nevada and in all of our lives, a mentor and champion.”

Of Jim McCormick, Carol Buonanoma writes, “One of my very favorite college professors is gone. He was a wonderful teacher.”

Candy Webb writes of Jim, “My favorite art professor. It was a joy to see him at various events over the years. His own art was amazing...”

Artist Marilyn Melton writes, “Artist, writer, friend and colleague to the arts and humanities community of Northern Nevada. Our loss is deep, our grief is palpable. A gentle man we will miss.”

In his blog "Nostalia City," writer Mark Bacon posted, "Jim McCormick had too darn much talent. As an artist, he worked in a variety of media: print making, collage, drawing and ingenious constructions for which I can’t find a name. He taught art at the University of Nevada – Reno from 1960 until he retired in 1992. His students are among the renowned artists in my part of the country.McCormick continued to create art for many years after retirement, and he curated numerous exhibits large and small. Throughout his life he encouraged and promoted northern Nevada artists, all of whom will be grieving along with me..."

Artist Joseph DeLappe writes, "Jim McCormick...was an amazing Nevada artist and icon. He left UNR just before I was hired. He was always the kindest and most thoughtful person..."

Artist Susan Church writes, “I first met Jim when he bought the spaghetti and meatballs sculpture for [his wife] Loretta. He was always so encouraging, fun, and a genuine hero.”

Photographer Susan Mantle writes, “ Jim McCormick was one of the best instructors I had at UNR and always a calm in the storm, ready to listen....and say a kind word.”

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 6th, 2017 from 1:30pm to 4pm on the rooftop of the Nevada Museum of Art in its glass-enclosed Nightingale Sky Room. Each of us has a Jim McCormick story. Please join us for a celebration of Jim’s life at the Nightingale Rooftop Sky Room of the Nevada Museum of Art at 160 Liberty Street. In lieu of flowers, Jim's family suggests two possibilities for honoring and remembering Jim: 1) Contributions can be made to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada (UUFNN) Legacy Fund at 780 Del Monte Lane, Reno, NV 89511 with “Jim McCormick” in the memo line. Jim was a lifelong member of the UU Church, always considering himself a humanist. He even considered joining the UU ministry and was involved in creating the National Unitarian Universalist Youth Board. 2) Or contributions can be made to the Special Collections Department through the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation, Mail Stop 162, Reno Nevada 89557 with “McCormick – Special Collections” in the memo line. Jim was an admirer of UNR's outstanding Special Collections Department.