The City of Reno (Nevada) has purchased BELIEVE, a word sculpture designed by artist Laura Kimpton in collaboration with Jeff Schomberg. The City will dedicate the sculpture today, Thursday, December 31, 2015 at 3 p.m. Pacific time.  

Acquired by the City for permanent installation on City Plaza next to Reno City Hall in the spring of 2016, the sculpture will be temporarily installed on the downtown ReTRAC Plaza, adjacent to Virginia Street and between the Whitney Peak Hotel and the Eldorado Reno Resort & Casino.

“I am absolutely thrilled that our great City will be dedicating the BELIEVE word sculpture on New Year’s Eve,” said Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve. “Reno is becoming a leader of creativity and innovation, and BELIEVE symbolizes our belief that this is the best path forward. As we say goodbye to 2015 and welcome a new year, this is the perfect time to believe in Reno.”

 The 70-foot-long sculpture is made of mild steel (low carbon), and the individual letters are 12 feet tall, by 7-to-10 feet wide, by 4 feet deep. First noticed by City of Reno officials at the Burning Man event in 2013, the City invited Kimpton to temporarily install BELIEVE on City Plaza in July 2014 as a backdrop for an “American Idol” photo shoot. The 2014 installation spurred an interest in acquiring BELIEVE, first temporarily and now permanently, as a symbol of Reno's future.  

About Laura Kimpton

Laura Kimpton is a California-based, American contemporary artist whose work consists of painting, mixed-media installations and sculpture. Her creativity stems from a desire to question traditional views on social interaction, therefore invoking through her art a reaction and discussion from her viewers that ultimately complete her projects. Kimpton is known for her Big Words series that have been unveiled at the annual Burning Man event located in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. The series includes words such as MOM, LOVE, EGO, OINK and BELIEVE. Kimpton is always exploring new mediums in her search for invigorating means of communication. For more information, visit laurakimpton.com  

About Jeff Schomberg 

Jeff Schomberg is a sculptor and installation artist. His unique style incorporates welded steel, stone and found objects. He has exhibited in New York, San Francisco and Nevada. He lives and works in Reno.