Exhibitor view from the 2024 RTIA Show.

“As the RTIA Show enters its fourth edition, the foundational vision remains the same—to present Reno Tahoe as a nationally recognized center for arts and culture,” explains Briana Dolan, co-founder of the show and chief operating officer of the production company Peaks Art Fairs. “The fair’s disruptive model of inclusivity brings together world class artists, national and international galleries, sculptors of all scale and medium, top contemporary Native American artists, and hand-crafted furniture designers within a welcoming, fun and community-forward environment.”

Patty Rogers, Light in My Room, oil, 24 x 24 in.

Dolan points to several major highlights in this year's special progamming, including the Great Basin Indigenous Peoples Exhibit, featuring historic woven art, and artists and fashion designers from the 32 tribal communities of the region. “We also welcome back an expanded bespoke furniture presentation, the Basque International feature and diverse Sculpture Walk,” Dolan continues. “Additional features include an encaustic celebration of the Truckee River by artist Lonnie Zarem, four Reno Tahoe-inspired murals created onsite during the fair, and the return of the unique sensory experience, the Human Repair Chair. We look forward to the presentations by exhibitors Jumper Maybach from Houston, Texas; Peace Waters Gallery from San Diego, California; and Oscar Morales of Puerto Nuevo Gallery from Baja California, Mexico.”

Denise Miller, Mono Lake, oil on canvas, 25 x 40 in.

First time exhibitor Patty Rogers will present paintings that focus on expressive color relationships and an abstract organization of shapes. “Light on objects or within spaces is what inspires me to paint," says the artists, "and since light is everywhere, I will have paintings [of] a few different subjects.” One of Rogers’ noteworthy pieces, Light in My Room, is a picture of the artist's studio in the morning, before she starts her day at the easel. “Light comes in and creates these interesting shapes on the wall and floor,” says Rogers. “It’s like a presence. I get a feeling of warmth, stillness and contemplation in this space. As I composed the painting, I orchestrated each element of design to keep the eye moving…My paintings are really abstractions by way of real places observed.”

Musical performances will be present at the 2025 event as in past years.

Other strong examples to watch for at RTIA includes Denise Miller’s colorful, surreal landscape Mono Lake; another bold landscape by Cathy Hazel, Amanda’s Reverie; stunning blown glass by Thomas Spake; figurative and bold bronze work from Morgan Sculpture Studio; and animal imagery as seen in Jinny Tomozy’s acrylic painting Curious Glance, featuring colorful birds.