Explorations in the Mountains and Deserts of Nevada
Robin Stark, Those Left Behind, Ceramic, black underglaze with sgraffito with a glaze finish.
By Robin Stark
Even after living in Las Vegas, Nevada, for more than 30 years and spending countless hours hiking and biking through its deserts and mountains, I have yet to tire of these experiences. The plants and animals possess a remarkable ability to survive under some of the harshest and most challenging conditions. Their resilience serves as a reminder of the endurance and fortitude required to remain strong when confronting difficult circumstances.
My artwork Those Left Behind explores these themes through the image of a large bird flying into the clouds and disappearing toward the horizon, while five smaller birds remain perched on a barbed-wire fence, watching it go. The scene evokes the experience of loss, the pain of separation, and the quiet acceptance that sometimes accompanies letting go. Through this imagery, I explore the emotional strength required to continue forward when something or someone important is no longer within reach.
The resilience of wildlife and plant life, combined with environmental elements such as wide-open spaces, the quality of light, and expansive blue skies, fosters a sense of calm and mental clarity. The solitude found along remote desert and mountain trails provides the space I need to reflect, explore, and allow my creative process to flourish.
Much of my artwork emerges from these outdoor adventures, serving as either a direct or an indirect interpretation of moments of insight, discovery, or revelation experienced along the way. The landscapes of Nevada offer more than visual inspiration; they provide a setting for contemplation, where observations of the natural world often become reflections on the human experience.
Born in San Diego, Robin Stark received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Davis and her Master of Fine Arts from the Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Freelancing as a ceramic artist by marketing a body of work at wholesale markets was appealing after graduation but a move to Nevada in the 90's restored her interest in making one-of-a-kind pieces. Her commitment to art education brought her to the College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas where she leads the ceramic program as a full-time faculty member in the Fine Arts Department.
Grants and awards include recognition from City of Las Vegas, the City of Henderson and the Nevada Arts Council. Robin's ceramic work has also been awarded an Artist Fellowship, a Professional Development Travel Grant, an Artist Fellowship Honorable mention, a Project Grant and three Jackpot Grants from the Nevada Arts Council.
Professional service includes functioning as juror (most recent commitments to the City of Las Vegas 2025 Celebrating Life Exhibit), serving as a curator for various local exhibits, providing artist talks, and participating as a member to the Gallery Committee at the College of Southern Nevada. She has also been involved or lead several commissioned collaborative public art projects with the local community and CSN students. Most recently she was the Project Creative Director for the Student Ceramic Totem Sculpture installed at the Sculpture Garden at the CSN Fine Arts Gallery. In 2023, she part of the Design Team for the inaugural Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix Winner Trophies.