Naval artist donates painting to Carson

Gardnerville naval artist Wayne Scarpaci donated a portrait of the USS Carson City to the capital city on Monday.

Wayne said he met Carson Mayor Robert Crowell during the Carson City Airport Open House.

"He was there to open the new runway, and he came and saw my artwork and we started chatting."

Wayne said the painting will be on display at city hall next to the ship's bell.

The Carson City was a patrol frigate commissioned March 24, 1944. It was transferred to the Soviet navy Aug. 29, 1945, and then returned to the Navy in 1949. Ironically, it spent most of its life serving with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force, where it was known as the Cherry Blossom from 1953 until 1966.

Wayne has lived in Gardnerville for five years where he keeps his studio. He and his wife, Swarn, married at Lake Tahoe 19 years ago.

He said a painting like the Carson City takes about five days to complete.

Wayne said he is working on a book, "Nevada Ships," and is seeking photos of the USS Carson City.

"For some reason, the Carson City was a camera-shy ship," he said.

Wayne said he plans to present a painting of the USS Minden to the town in August, with a copy of the painting to be donated to the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center.

For more information, visit www.artbywayne.com.

Kurt Hildebrand is editor of The Record-Courier. Reach him at 782-5121, ext. 215 or khildebrand @recordcourier.com