Bristlecone Art Gallery at Western Nevada College has transformed into a “Big Deal” this summer, thanks to artist Joan Arrizabalaga and the Capital City Arts Initiative.

Arrizabalaga’s latest exhibit in a four-decade-plus career focuses on games and gambling.

“I am interested in how people are involved with temptation, risk and winning,” she said. “This activity is present in everyday life and seems to go well beyond the more straightforward casino world. Everything can be a gamble and I see everywhere the use of the magical world to gain success, help us win or keep us safe. I also like all the mechanisms and paraphernalia concerned with gambling.”

Arrizabalaga creates both sculptural pieces and flat work using clay, wood, metal, fabric, machine and hand embroidery and found objects. She utilizes common gaming materials such as felt, dice and cards in this exhibit.

“I like the familiar faces of the playing cards for my characters because they are subconsciously recognizable even out of context,” she said. “The Joker is very important. He has many parallels, like the trickster in Native American lore.”

The exhibit will be shown through Sept 12 in the Bristlecone Gallery, which is located at 2201 W. College Parkway on WNC’s Carson City campus. Public viewing is from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Monday through Friday.

A reception for Arrizabalaga is set for Wednesday, June 26, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in Bristlecone Gallery.