Couple recognized for contributions to the arts

By Diana Cox

Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008 | midnight

Without Darlene and Vern Burk, the first hotel built in Southern Nevada would today be a condemned eyesore.

This and other accomplishments of the couple were recounted to an audience Oct. 16 at the Boulder Dam Hotel, where the Burks were awarded the Alice Isenberg Advocacy Award for their support of the arts in Boulder City.

The Burks were a driving force in the restoration of the Boulder Dam Hotel, which now serves as the home of the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Historical Association, Carla Clothier, president of Boulder City Friends of the Arts, said.

Since moving to Boulder City in 1963, the Burks have owned an art gallery, taken young artists under their wings and developed Art Scape, an outdoor sculpture exhibit in the heart of downtown.

The Burks themselves are not artists, the group was told. They became interested in the arts while they were living next door to an artist in Boulder City.

Darlene Burk said her husband used to dabble in oil painting, to which he replied, "That's not worth talking about."

He was once told he was a success because he sold a painting during Art in the Park for more than the cost of the frame, he said.

The efforts by the Burks to bring art to Boulder City were lauded by their peers.

"For me, I think the Burks and I think arts and Boulder City," Clothier said.

Dottie Conner, the 2006 Isenberg Award winner, recalled when the couple would hold a "quick draw" at their gallery, challenging two artists to race to complete a drawing.

"Ever since I've known them, they have been working for the arts," she said. "They have brought a lot of wonderful artists to Boulder City."

Conner's favorite piece of Art Scape is "Afternoon Breeze" by Roy Butler. The statue, a lifesize bronze sculpture of a woman dressed in authentic circa 1930s clothing, represents females involved in Hoover Dam construction and support networks.

Darlene Burk said the inspiration for Art Scape came after she saw similar projects in other cities around the nation. "I wanted to bring it here," she said.

The project brings several sculptures to town on loan, and a vote from the public selects one to be purchased for permanent display. Last year, the people's choice was "The Relationship" by Sandra Messina, and the Sunrise Rotary paid for it.

Resident Ralph Denton lauded the project.

"It gives the town some class," he said.

Denton's favorite piece is the statue "Old Alabam" by Steve Liguori. It portrays the Hoover Dam worker who was in charge of keeping the outhouses clean and supplied with toilet paper.

As part of the award, a statement from Mayor Roger Tobler proclaimed Oct. 16 as Vern and Darlene Burk Day.

After the proclamation was read, the crowd called for the Burks to make a speech.

"It has been fun," Darlene Burk said, wiping a tear from her eye.

Diana Cox can be reached at 990-8183 or [email protected].