Nevada Roadsides: Northern Routes art exhibition happening Oct. 2 through Jan. 30

Through her photographs, Emily Najera presents familiar landmarks in brilliant new light.

The Capital City Arts Initiative’s exhibition, "Nevada Roadsides: Northern Routes", presents work by Najera at the Courthouse Gallery from October 2, 2024 – January 30, 2025. CCAI will host a reception for the artist on Wednesday, October 9, 5:00 - 6:30p.m. with the artist’s introduction at 5:30. The Courthouse is located at 885 E Musser Street, Carson City; the gallery is open Monday – Friday, 8:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.

Emily Najera is a photographer and visual artist dedicated to capturing the essence of America's evolving landscapes. With years of experience in photography, Emily has developed a singular perspective on documenting the shifting scenes of cities, roadways, and buildings. Her key themes include recording revitalization and change, such as the redevelopment of historical sites, and blending artistic vision with journalistic storytelling to address diverse topics. Najera took all of the images for this exhibition on highways US 40 and US 50, which historically brought travelers across the state.

Emily’s work often focuses on the dramatic interplay of light and shadow, frequently photographing buildings and places after dark. She said, “Exhibitions are crucial for my artistic growth, providing opportunities for community engagement, experimentation with new techniques, and collaboration with other artists.” She aims for each exhibition to showcase her work, allow her to reflect on her artistic journey, and connect with audiences.

Najera’s photography has appeared in leading publications such as the New York Times, Bloomberg, NPR, ProPublica, and more. Notable projects include covering the revitalization of Historic Brush Park in Detroit, documenting train stations in the Midwest, and most recently exploring housing affordability issues in Washoe County. These projects highlight her skill in blending artistic vision with journalistic storytelling. She earned a B.A. degree from Grand Valley State University in Michigan in 2007 and a M.F.A. degree from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2013. She lives in Reno with her family.

Alicia Barber, PhD, wrote the exhibition essay for Najera’s show. She is a historian, educator, and author working at the intersections of public memory, historic landscapes, and community identity. She focuses her work on the history, culture, and built environments of the city of Reno, the state of Nevada, and the American West. Barber is the founder/owner of Stories in Place LLC. Her independent and collaborative exhibits and historical markers, oral histories, and digital projects include Reno Historical, Illuminating Reno’s Divorce Industry, and the 4th Street-Prater Way History Project. She wrote Reno’s Big Gamble: Image and Reputation in the Biggest Little City (University of Kansas Press, 2008), and articles and columns for a variety of academic and trade publications. Barber produced and hosted the history feature “Time & Place” for KUNR Public Radio from 2017 – 2019. From 2003 to 2013, she taught in the Core Humanities Program and Department of History at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she also directed the University of Nevada Oral History Program. Dr. Barber holds a B.A. in English from Stanford University, a M.A. in English from the University of Utah, and a PhD in American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. The Nevada Writers Hall of Fame awarded Barber its Silver Pen Award in 2014.

Carlos Ramirez, formerly a student with Western Nevada College’s Latino Leadership Academy, provided a Spanish translation of the show’s wall text.

CCAI is an artist-centered not-for-profit organization committed to community engagement in contemporary visual arts through exhibitions, illustrated talks, arts education programs, artist residencies, and online activities.

The Initiative is funded by the John and Grace Nauman Foundation, Nevada Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities, Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, Kaplan Family Charitable Fund, Southwest Gas Corporation Foundation, Steele & Associates LLC, and CCAI sponsors and members.

For additional information, please visit CCAI’s website at www.ccainv.org.