We regretfully announce the retirement of Ralph and Cheryln Bennett after 35 years of active membership in the Artists Co-op Gallery of Reno.
Ralph had a career in mining. He then used his draftsmanship skills to create pen and watercolor drawings of mining, railroads, all-things-western, and rock art creations. Until 2021, Ralph served as co-op treasurer. We had a hand-written sales system. Ralph manually entered all sales information at home to pay the artists and track the gallery’s income and expenses. Terrye Kocher agreed to fill Ralph’s shoes with the implementation of a point-of-sale system, thus alleviating much of the labor of the job. Ralph also has maintained our artist mailing list and created gallery signage for new and guest artists, among other duties.
Cheryln has served many years as the Gallery Director. She has performed such tasks as coordinating the consignment artists (the potters, jewelers, woodworkers, glass artists, soap makers, and more). She is also responsible for creating a group of “heritage art” sellers and collectors of local art. Those sales have significantly added to the co-op’s income over the years. She has been keeping the supplies that are needed for the daily operations and our hospitality for the monthly receptions. Cheryln has “trained” most of us on operations and the hanging of new shows and quarterly gallery rotations. Cheryln’s watercolors of Nevada scenery and subjects and her exquisite gourd-making have long been best sellers at the gallery. She is a charter member of the Sierra Watercolor Society, established in 1989.
The knowledge of these two and their sleeves-rolled-up-volunteering to do everything and anything as needed will be sorely missed. Thank goodness they are not moving out of town and will continue to advise us as “Lifetime Members” and still participate in group shows!
A NEW CHAPTER begins with the exciting addition of three new members at the co-op.
Jon Edmondo, an acrylic painter and October guest artist, is taking a permanent position Beginning in November. Jon is a member of the Latimer Art Club and has participated in several group shows. He is known for his series of “treescapes.”
Marylou Schindler, a photographer, specializing in capturing wild horses, has been participating in many group shows throughout recent years and will begin with a wall of her own in November.
Tamami Tokutake is a pastel painter who first exhibited at the 2021 (Latimer Art Club) Miniature Show. She won awards and sold all of her pieces. She was a guest artist earlier this year and is also winning and selling in the current 15th annual Miniature Show. Look for new information about these three to be posted on ACR social media shortly.
Be sure to stop in and say farewell to the Bennetts by October 30th and meet our new additions to the coop as we advance in November. You will likely see all at the November 13th first Holiday reception.
Captions for below: Ralph is standing by his award-winning petroglyph rendition of “Ancient Visitors.” Cheryln is laughing with her sister Marilyn in front of her wall of watercolors.
We are sad to announce the passing of our long-time member, past gallery director, and dear friend Cheryln Bennett.
A Celebration of her Life was hosted at
the Artists Co-op Gallery
Saturday, April 19th from 4 – 7 pm.
| Cheryln Ann Bennett passed peacefully at home with her family on February 23, 2025. She is survived by her husband John Ralph Bennett, and three children: Marc, Brycie and Amber, nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Cheryln was born in Logan, West Virginia on February 28, 1944. Cheryln met Ralph when she was a “bar maid” at a local establishment in San Bernadino, CA. Ralph would frequent this bar on his way home from working for the state in mining, engineering and surveying. Their relationship developed and led to a marriage proposal which included Ralph’s three children. Cheryln, due to medical issues was unable to have children, but happily married Ralph and became the mother to three wonderful children in 1968. The couple and children then moved to his family’s cattle ranch near Medicine Bow, WY. Ralph was a Navy veteran where he began his engineering education. This career took him to various locations around the country, and eventually to one in the art world. Cheryln worked as a substitute teacher and learned to paint under Ralph’s guidance. They were transferred to Reno in 1986, and Cheryln, following Ralph, became a member of the Artists Co-operative of Reno in 1989. That same year, she became a charter member of the Sierra Watercolor Society. She learned and performed all duties at the gallery except treasurer, (Ralph filled that role for 35 years) and she was gallery manager until 2023. Cheryln was such an integral part of the gallery, making lasting friendships and encouraging so many to pursue their artistic selves. She was responsible for training and encouraging new members. Always eager to share her time, her charm, her home and kindness; she was an amazing woman. In addition to watercolor painting, she branched out to gourd works, paper making and basket making. Her creativity was endless. According to Ralph, she became “empowered” when using power tools to carve on gourds. She taught classes and encouraged so many with her love of art. That same love was not restricted to the studio. She and Ralph became members of the Nevada Rock Art Foundation in late 2002. They traveled throughout Nevada, volunteering on recording projects of petroglyphs. Their contributions were priceless. They were both awarded “Volunteer of the Year” in 2007 at Boulder City, NV. FAREWELL to a fabulous woman who most assuredly inspired and changed people’s lives. She is missed by all who knew her. Donations are being accepted in her memory for the Bennett Art Center. This is a (501c3 non-profit) building project to be built behind the gallery. |
| “The Bennett Art Center” We need your help. Consider honoring the Bennetts by making a donation to “The Bennett Art Center Building Fund”. All of the funds will be used to start the new building. This is a (501c3) building project to be built behind the current Co-op gallery structure. We want to honor Cheryln and Ralph by naming the building after them. It will be called the Bennett Art Center. We want to continue in the vein that Cheryln and Ralph have modeled for us. We are bursting at the seams and need to expand. Our plan is to add a new building behind our current building and use it to show more art and also teach classes. Ralph supports our plan and Cheryln would have loved the idea of sharing our knowledge with the community through art classes. Cheryln and her husband, Ralph, kept the Artists Co-op Gallery vibrant and growing for over 35 years. What you see today at the Co-op is largely a result of Cheryln and Ralph’s leadership and creativity. It was Cheryln who brought our consignment artists into the Co-op. It was Cheryln who established our Heritage Art Walls. It was Cheryln who welcomed most of us who are now a part of the Co-op into the fold. Ralph kept the books and accounting for 38 years. The Co-op would not be what it is today without their unwavering support. Donations can be made in person or mailed to: Artists Co-op Gallery Reno, 627 Mill Street, Reno, NV 89502. Please make checks payable to: “The Bennett Art Center Building Fund” Or donate through our Go Fund Me account using a credit card at: http://www.gofundme.com/artistscoopbuildingfund. Specify you want the donation to go to: “The Bennett Art Center Building Fund”. For more information – Artists Co-operative Gallery of Reno at 775-322-8896. artistsco-opgalleryreno.com |