Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center Mural 

The City of Reno Arts & Culture department together with guidance from the Reno Arts & Culture Commission (RACC) and Public Art Committee (PAC) have commissioned a large-scale mural on the western exterior of the Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center (EMNECC).  

Muralist Erik Burke was selected by the PAC and RACC from a pool of 23 artists applications for this public art project. A fifth generation Nevadan and Reno based, his work highlights historical legacy with community engagement featuring prominently in his development and painting process.  Throughout his 20 years of mural painting themes of celebration have taken center stage through enlarging small weeds to a larger-than-life baroque master paintings as well as portraits of community elders.  

Artist Erik Burke's mural concept features textiles and patterns that have importance to individual community members, and portraits including long time EMNECC staff who were featured on the original mural, a portrait of Evelyn Mount as a young woman and community members from the area. The textiles and patterns contributed by the community coupled with portraits and stories come together to depict the "fabric of the neighborhood" through the faces and stories shared during the development process. Arts & Culture and Erik Burke have hosted multiple in person engagement events in addition to making digital submissions available to collect these fabrics, portraits and the stories that go with them.  

Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center is located in Northeast Reno off of Valley Road north of I-80. EMNECC has a year-round pool, fitness center, gymnasium, teen room, and meeting rooms. Additionally, EMNECC is located directly next to Dick Taylor Memorial Park. EMNECC serves a diverse population and is one of the main recreation centers that offers programming operated by the City of Reno.   

The mural was painted on two exterior western walls of the community center. They are separated by a shorter section of wall that is not part of the project.  

Artist Selection Process and Community Engagement

May 2024 - Request for Qualifications released to solicit artist proposals from qualified artists. The PAC, with input from stakeholders, and RACC selected Erik Burke from 23 highly competitive applications for the commission. 

June 2024 - City of Reno Councilmembers approved the recommendations from the Reno Arts and Culture Commission (RACC) and the Public Art Committee (PAC) to select Erik Burke to create the mural for the EMNECC.   

September 2024 - On Monday, Sept. 30th artist Erik Burke hosted a community engagement event with Arts & Culture at Dick Taylor Memorial Park near the mural site to collect source material and community feedback.  

October 2024 – Artist Erik Burke began work on the mural with community assistance, involving community members who submitted source material to paint the mural with him. 

November 2024 – Burke hosted an additional community engagement session to continue to source material and take portraits for the mural.  

January 2025 - The mural, titled XOXO but artist Erik Burke, was completed. 

March 4, 2025 - 4PM PST Public Mural Dedication Ceremony at Evelyn Mount Northeast Community Center with artist Erik Burke and community members.