Wally Cuchine, a champion of the Arts, officially retired April 8 with a big send up from people from around the State, including proclamations of “Wally Cuchine Day” from Governor Brian Sandoval and Reno Mayor Bob Cashell at a concert at the Eureka Opera House with Ralph Cuda and the Dixieland Boys.

Wally Cuchine’s work has earned him the unofficial title of “cheerleader for rural Nevada living.” He continues to bring attention to the state’s cultural resources and has attracted national and statewide tourism. Admirers from around the state gathered in Eureka this weekend for “Wally Cuchine Day” in honor of his retirement as Director of the Eureka Opera House and Eureka Sentinel Museum and Director of Cultural Tourism and Economic Development in Eureka County.

Reno Mayor Bob Cashell noted in his proclamation that Cuchine has “ been a constant advocate for the humanities in every corner of Nevada…from Reno to its most isolated communities, engaging visual artists.” His proclamation noted that the preeminent art collector has shared “ works of art from his collection” in exhibits around the state.

Cuchine is especially well-known in Nevada for making Eureka a destination spot for outstanding music, poetry, theater, and literary events. An avid art collector, Cuchine created a county art collection, as well as the largest personal collection of Nevada art in the state with more than 1,000 pieces.

This year’s Governor’s Arts Award for Leadership in the Arts was just one in a long list of honors for Cuchine. He also received The Judith Winzeler Award for Excellence in the Humanities this year, and in past years has received the Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nevada Commission on Tourism, and was named ‘Distinguished Nevadan’ by the Nevada system of Higher Education for “advancing the cultural wellbeing of Nevadans”.

Art and music lovers from around the state gathered at the Eureka Opera House Friday evening and surprised Cuchine with proclamations from Governor Sandoval and Mayor Cashel, several new pieces of art and photography for his personal collection, and a poem by Nevada poet Gary Short written for the event. Among those in attendance were Silver City artists Jeff Nicholson and Jean LeGassick, Gold Hill writer David Toll, Nevada Humanities Christina Barr and Steve Davis, artists Jim McCormick, Sharon Maczko, and Marilyn Melton, new Eureka Opera House Director Andrea Rossman, Sierra Arts Foundation director Jill Berryman, fine art photographers Deon Reynolds and Trish Reynolds, founder of Citizens for a Scenic Reno, Doug Smith, and Eureka County Commissioner Jim Ithurralde, among many others.

The festivities didn’t end with the concert, presentation of the proclamations and gifts. On Saturday, admirers gathered at the Eureka Gallery for an open house with Cuchine as the honored guest, and more Cuchine fans from around Nevada continued to arrive Saturday as the tributes continued at friends’ homes in Eureka.

Exhibit of Cuchine’s Collection in Virginia City: If you cannot make it to Eureka, you can still see an exhibit of pieces from Cuchine’s collection at St. Mary’s Art Center in Virginia City in the Main Event Gallery May-June 2011 Fridays through Sundays 11am-4pm. The exhibit reception will be held on Saturday, May 14 from 4 to 6pm, and the public is invited. Pieces by Reno artists Jim McCormick and Marilyn Melton, Silver City artists Jean LeGassick and Jeff Nicholson, and many others, including Ron Arthaud, Larry Jacox, Sidne Teske and Robert Caples, whose Dayton home is on the state register of Historic Places, will all be on display.

Click here to see more photos.