The Nevada Sagebrush

Patrons browse the wares at La Bussola, a store specializeing in art and other interesting items. Art of the Cocktail will be at the boutique Thursday and will feature alcohol-inspired art throughout the event. Photo by Daniel Clark.

Art of the Cocktail is one of La Bussola’s most successful events. Now in its fourth year, Art of the Cocktail will feature 15 local artists and their renderings of civilization’s most sophisticated drink.

At 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, La Bussola’s alcohol-inspired gallery opens to the public. All proceeds are split between the artist and ReNO AIDS Community Task Force, a group dedicated to raising money for a cure and educating the community about HIV/AIDS.

Apart from the art, which is delicious in and of itself, cupcakes and cocktails will be served, as what will merely be an addition to an event that will bring much needed attention to local talent and ReNo AIDS.

La Bussola has long been known as a safe haven for artists in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community. The colorful boutique, located at 254 West First Street along with Java Jungle and Sasha’s Boutique, is amass with handmade scarves, quirky housewares, kinky books, and bold Pride décor.

The associates compliment the spirit with infectious friendliness. Their generosity toward the artists they feature is apparent in every event they host.

There will be many events to come. Wednesday from 5 to 7:30 p.m., La Bussola hosts GayLa, a fundraiser for Reno GayLa Film Festival.  Their holiday-themed art shows have Reno’s creative minds coming out of the woodwork with sculptures and paintings.

Meredith Tanzer, one of La Bussola’s proud owners, holds up an example of the cocktail art to be featured Thursday. The spectacled woman in the painting emulates a 1950’s cocktail party in many shades of green. Behind Tanzer are several other paintings waiting to be unveiled.

“This is one of our best events,”she said. “There’s only a few customers with homes that could display a Halloween or Valentine’s Day piece year-round, but the cocktail is timeless.”

La Bussola’s call for artists extends to University of Nevada, Reno’s community as well.

“I’ve been surprised how few artists we have from UNR,”Tranzer said. “I don’t think (the students) realize what an opportunity we have here to display their work and to make money. There’s no need to wait until after graduation to start submitting work. Art is being created now.”

Since La Bussola’s struggled start-up, they have encompassed muralists, poets, knitters, painters and eccentric do-it-yourselfers. Its supportive environment for Reno’s gay community has not only provided fun get-togethers, but substantive fundraisers to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, as this week’s events will demonstrate.

The Art of the Cocktail incorporates everything the people at La Bussola are best at, from their rave-worthy cupcakes to their passion for showcasing the quirky and imaginative.

Janet Lee can be reached at editor@nevadasagebrush.com.

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