Kristen Carson City Cultural Library

Across the Arcade

The Carson City Cultural Library is a project based around the idea that knowledge is power. Those who forget history are quite often doomed to repeat it. The purpose of this project is to create a space that facilitates historical learning, literacy and the appreciation of all cultures that ventured out West in search of better life.

Dance of Ages

A mural called Dance of Ages has been created specifically for this space and is directly tied to cultural emphasis. The mural depicts female Basque dancers in traditional dress, moving through one another as the generations have lived through one another throughout time. Red - one of two important colors in Basque culture - is the only color present. It has been painted through the traditional Basque dancing skirts and on the laces of traditional Basque dancing shoes.

Mural Elevation

The mural has been installed on the second floor on either side, above the built-in reading benches along the exterior walls. The mural’s location is meant to inspire further reading and ignite a passion for cultural exploration of one’s own or others. Nevada’s rich cultural history is directly tied to the Basque people, which is why the mural is of such importance. There is little information about the Basque culture in libraries throughout the world, as their culture was immensely isolated from the rest of Europe. This library is meant to inspire further research and someday contain more information about the long lost culture of the Basques.

First + Second Floor

This cultural library building has been adapted from an old factory in downtown Carson City, Nevada. It was turned into a cultural library in order to preserve the historical nature of the downtown area as well as bring new life for city revitalization.

Main Hall

Downstairs Bookshelves

The Carson City Cultural Library will house books filled with cultural information about the history of Nevada, how it was settled, its people and its major cities. It’s important for Nevadans and other visitors to know and understand how the West came to be, and how historical events and people blazed trail for our lives today.

INTERIOR

DESIGN

Carson City

Cultural Library

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