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City of Reno Hosts Dedication Ceremony for New California Avenue Mural
Post Date:05/14/2026 12:51 p.m.The City of Reno is pleased to host a dedication ceremony for a new mural along California Avenue near the intersection with Keystone Avenue. The event will take place Friday, May 15, 2026, at 10 a.m. Attendees will gather at Newlands Park for brief remarks before walking east on California Avenue to the mural site.
“Public art plays an important role in our community by adding to the character of our neighborhoods. I’m thrilled to see this special mural in an incredibly challenging corridor full of concrete, which has often been tagged by graffiti in Ward 2,” said Ward 2 Councilmember Naomi Duerr. “I hope all residents enjoy this new, vibrant piece of artwork for years to come.”
"It’s very special to see more public art in our communities. This investment is a celebration,” said Arts & Culture Advisory Board Liaison and Ward 6 Councilmember Brandi Anderson. “I’m excited to see this mural come to life under the recommendation of our Arts & Culture Advisory Board and hope community members enjoy how it has evolved the visual experience in their special neighborhood.”
The mural was designed by ABG Art Group artists “Elliot” Trent Thompson and “Tsui-Xiao-Rui” Sorell Raino-Tsui and spans approximately 1,000 feet. It was painted by a team of artists on a heavily corrugated concrete retaining wall with varying vertical heights ranging from three to 18 feet.
In May 2025, the Reno City Council approved commissioning ABG Art Group for the California Avenue Mural Public Art Project in an amount not to exceed $100,000. The project was funded through room tax revenue allocated in the fiscal year 2025 budget.
City staff conducted a survey and hosted two in-person workshops in Reno in August 2025 to gather input from residents about what they would like to see painted at the location. Representatives from the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony also were consulted on specific elements of the design.
About the artists
ABG Art Group is a collaborative design duo of “Elliot” Trent Thompson and “Tsui Xiao-Rui" Sorell Raino-Tsui who specialize in public art, fabrication, and community-centered storytelling. Drawing from backgrounds in visual art, creative direction, and large-scale installation, the studio creates dynamic works that merge contemporary artistic expression with cultural themes and innovative approaches to public space.
Raino-Tsui has played a key role in developing Oakland’s public art community through ventures including Athen B. Gallery and ABG Art Group, later serving as the City of Oakland’s Cultural Strategist in Government for Public Art. Thompson brings more than eight years of experience in public art management, combining artistic vision, design, and marketing expertise to help produce impactful installations and programs.
For more information on the City’s public art program, or any information on current projects, visit the Public Art Projects page.
