The 100-year-old trusses predate the Copeland Building, having been salvaged from a structure in Reno and brought down when the building was constructed in the 1950s. Carson Valley Arts Council photo
Members of the Carson Valley Arts Council have hired an architect and are prepared to start raising funds to renovate the Copeland Lumber Building next year.
The nonprofit is celebrating 20 years since it was formed in August 2004.
“We are so excited to celebrate 20 years with the community that has supported us since the beginning,” said Executive Director Sharon Schlegel. “Our organization has definitely evolved since 2004, but the most amazing part is the number of regular patrons who have been coming to our concerts the entire time.”
Consisting of community volunteers dedicated to supporting the arts in Douglas County, it hosts an annual concert series, providing youth arts in schools, an annual art studio tour and many other events in the community.
Grants and private donations help fund arts education and operation of the Copeland Cultural Arts Center and Copeland Gallery. Visit www.cvartscouncil.com for more information. The Carson Valley Arts Council is located in the historic Copeland Lumber Building at 1572 Highway 395, Minden, Nevada.
The council bought the Copeland Lumber Building in 2008 with the idea of turning the 17,000-square-foot building into a performing arts center with a fixed seat theatre venue.
That dream is one step closer to reality. In 2022 the Copeland Building was placed on the Nevada Historical Register. In 2024, the council hired an architect to produce architectural drawings for a renovated building. In the next year it is positioned to raise funds necessary to renovate the Copeland Building.
“We had to work incredibly hard during the COVID-19 restrictions, but with the dedication of our amazing volunteers we were able to weather the storm.” Schlegel said. “Our volunteer’s commitment and our community's unwavering support have been invaluable over the years.”
Since 2010, it has been working with the schools to bring art programs to the youth of our community. It has a mini-grant program to help schools acquire art and music supplies. The arts council also brings Missoula Children’s Theatre to the schools.
