The Lost City Museum presents the paintings of Swiss-born artist Willy Baumann in April, featuring lifelike paintings of animals. His paintings reflect great love for the natural and architectural landscape of the desert. Baumann moved to Las Vegas after living in the Lake Tahoe area 27 years.
The artist began a second career as a painter after many years running a bakery in Lake Tahoe. His work astonished his longtime friend Helga Culpepper. “We had no idea he was a painter. He had a studio filled with beautiful works that had never been shown before.”
“We are really happy to showcase the work of local artists at the Lost City Museum,” said Jerrie Clarke, museum director. “You can find a different artist each month, so it is worth coming often to see what’s new and interesting. You may even recognize the work of someone you know.”
Baumann grew up in Schaffhausen, Switzerland and immigrated to America in 1959 to work with his brothers.”My oldest brother, Kurt, bought the Schmidt’s Bakery on the south shore of Lake Tahoe,” Baumann said. “Schmidt speculated that my brother would be out of business in a year and he could buy it back, but the business is still in operation today.”
The Lost City Museum actively engages people in understanding and celebrating Nevada’s natural and cultural heritage. One of seven museums managed by the Nevada Division of Museums and History, a division of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, it is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily at 721 S. Moapa Valley Blvd., Overton. Admission is $5; children 17 and younger and members enter free. Take Interstate 15 north to exit 93. Access is also available from Lake Mead National Recreation Area or the Valley of Fire State Park. For more information, call the museum at (702) 397-2193 or visit Facebook.
