Comstock Foundation sponsors fundraiser benefiting Comstock Historic District: Nevada artist and elected officials celebrate Nevada's 150th anniversary

VIRGINIA CITY, Nev., July 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Renowned Dayton artist, Steven Saylor, is celebrating the 150^th anniversary of Nevada statehood by painting "Nine Cheers for the Silver State," featuring current Governor Brian Sandoval, U.S. Senators Harry Reid and Dean Heller, and Mark Amodei, who represents the Northern Nevada congressional district. The painting serves as a fundraiser for the Comstock Foundation for History and Culture, a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration and promotion of the Comstock Historic District, a National Historic Landmark.

Saylor's painting takes its title from a headline that appeared in the Gold Hill Daily News on October 31, 1864. Past Governors Paul Laxalt, Bob List, Dick Bryan, and Bob Miller as well as former First Ladies Dawn Gibbons and Dema Guinn, in honor of the Guinn and Gibbons administrations, also participated by posing for this painting.

In addition, the painting depicts John Winfield, Corrado De Gasperis, and Ron James, directors of the Comstock Foundation. "I want to thank everyone who posed for the painting," said Saylor. "Frankly, it looks like Sunshine, the List family dog, is destined to be the favorite painted character."

The painting is set in the well-appointed Cobb Mansion, the Virginia City home of Comstock Foundation board member Paul Yandre and his partner Jeff Teague. Saylor's composition depicts the moment when news of statehood reached Virginia City in 1864. Governor Sandoval is signing a proclamation commemorating Nevada's admission into the Union, and Mark Amodei is reading an 1864 issue of the Territorial Enterprise, which includes an article on statehood. Everyone is celebrating the news. "Befitting the occasion, champagne is plentiful," added Saylor.

The Comstock Foundation will make 150 numbered prints of the painting available for purchase. Each copy will include a one ounce medallion celebrating the 150^th anniversary of statehood, minted from pure Comstock silver from Comstock Mining's operation. The cost of each print, including a Comstock silver medallion, is $1,150. For an additional $400, the print will be framed and will include a second medallion. The Foundation is also offering 15 special remarqued artist's proofs for $1,400.

"We anticipate that the effort will raise over $100,000, which is needed to preserve at-risk resources of our National Landmark," said Corrado De Gasperis, chairman of the board of the Comstock Foundation. "We are thrilled that Comstock Mining is providing pure Comstock silver for the minting of the medallion that is being offered with the print. The coin represents the first, pure Comstock silver product being offered by the company and directly benefitting the Foundation, and we are already seeing strong demand and deposits and orders for the prints."

De Gasperis is also the CEO of Comstock Mining, Inc., which has dedicated a 1 percent royalty of its Storey County operation's net smelter return (1% NSR) to the Comstock Foundation for the advancement of historic preservation and other aspects of cultural development within the historic district.

Pre-sale reservations can be made through PayPal, available at the Comstock Foundation website, www.comstockfoundation.org, or by calling Johnye Saylor at 775-742-0588. Reserving a numbered print requires a $150 deposit.

The Comstock Foundation for History and Culture is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2013. The organization recently announced the acquisition of the Silver City's Donovan Mill, which will require extensive restoration so that it can serve the public as a reminder of industry's importance to Nevada. Donations to the Comstock Foundation for the restoration of the Mill or any other Foundation activities may be tax deductible. The Foundation's mission is to encourage the preservation and promotion of historic and cultural resources within the Comstock Historic District. The District was granted National Historic Landmark status in 1961, and is one of the largest landmarks in the country. The Comstock Lode played a critical role in the history of mining between 1859 and 1942, producing an enormous amount of gold and silver and defining the cutting edge of mining technology during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The uncolored sketch of the painting – which will be in full color – is available at the website for the Comstock Foundation for History and Culture: www.comstockfoundation.org. For additional information contact Ron James, executive director of the Comstock Foundation, at 775-443-7803.

Comstock Foundation for History and Culture
P.O. Box 61, Virginia City, NV 89440
775-443-7803
[email protected]
www.comstockfoundation.org

Corrado De Gasperis, Chair                                                                        
Paul Yandre, Secretary
Pam Abercrombe, Treasurer                                                                                           
Patricia Lee Halavais, Director
John Winfield, Director
Ronald M. James, Executive Director  

SOURCE Comstock Foundation for History and Culture