The Emergence
Project

Who we are

We’re named for the moment a dragonfly leaves the water.

The last stage of a dragonfly’s metamorphosis comes when the nymph leaves the water and walks onto dry land. With its last molt, its body and wings expand. That moment is called emergence.

In most parts of the world the dragonfly stands for change, and for growing into who you are.

The Emergence Project badge: a dragonfly with open wings over water, grasses, and mountains.
The Emergence Project Non-profit · since 2022

We started a non-profit in 2022 to get more art built in Black Rock City.

The artists

Our team is made up of artists, builders, project managers, pixel pushers, music makers, and boss ladies.

  • Justin in a red and white striped jacket, a long scarf and a top hat with green goggles.
    “Ratchet”Justin Nistler
  • Steph smiling in the desert light, sunglasses pushed up, a white scarf and big hoop earrings.
    “Penetrator”Steph Nistler
  • Nick in a wide straw hat, camera up to one eye, in black and white.
    “Prototype”Nick Franchi
  • Camp grinning from a red hammock, mirrored goggles on and a bandana tied at the neck.
    “BlackJack”Camp Marshall
  • Shannon in an astronaut suit and helmet with a glowing visor, one glove raised, against a burst of starlight.
    Shannon Connelly
  • Matt in a yellow and grey jumpsuit, white cap and sport sunglasses, against a burst of starlight.
    Matt Connelly
  • Kevin by a lake with green hills behind, in a denim jacket over a blue pullover.
    Kevin Hennessey

  • Most of us have been burning the man for over a decade. In the past we’ve brought small art installations to the playa, and hosted pop up pizza parlors and booty shaking dance parties.

Portraits © 2010 to 2023 Dave Anthony Wood.

Our history

How we got here.

2013to 2017

In memory of Steve Shelby

Dusty Cobra Art Car

Before the non-profit, there was an art car, led by our most fierce and dear friend, Steve Shelby.

It paid homage to Steve, and to so many others whose journey on earth was short, but beautiful.

Black Rock City 2022 · Waking Dreams 40 feet long · 18 feet high

2022

Dragonfly

Back then, our most ambitious piece yet: a steel dragonfly, 40 feet long and 18 feet high, set in the illusion of a pond on the dry playa.

Around it, sculpted flowers, lily pads, and grasses made from steel and upcycled material. Iridescence and mirror in the body and wings. Natural soundscapes by day, and an interactive projected pond at night.

It now lives permanently at Fly Ranch, just beyond the gates of Black Rock City.

The finished 40-foot steel Dragonfly glowing at sunset on the Black Rock City playa, its wide illuminated wings stretching over curved wooden shade walls while burners and bikes gather underneath.
On the playa, 2022 Sunset under the forty-foot wings, with the curved wooden shade walls on either side.
Looking straight up at the Dragonfly’s steel lattice wings glowing pink, white, and cyan against a violet dusk sky with a crescent moon.
On the playa, 2022 Looking up through the lit wing lattice at dusk, crescent moon overhead.
Close-up portrait of the Dragonfly’s geometric faceted glowing eyes and welded steel thorax rising on long legs above the playa at dusk.
On the playa, 2022 The faceted eyes and welded steel thorax at twilight.
Early 3D concept render of the steel lattice dragonfly under a stormy blue sky.
Concept render Early study for the body and wing geometry.
Early 3D concept render of the dragonfly on the playa with curved shade walls.
Concept render The original shade-wall layout from our 2022 proposal.

2025

Completed

The Love Tram

A wooden gondola set down in the Black Rock Desert, with a love-song booth, a cuddle puddle, a secret hatch, and more than 10,000 LEDs.

Ride it again

The finished Love Tram glowing at night on the Black Rock City playa, with neon red trim, lit roof heart, and bikes parked by the open doors.
On the playa, 2025 Glowing after dark in Black Rock City.

2028

In progress

The Familiar

A keeper, a cabinet, and the stories in its drawers. Our next piece, for Black Rock City 2028.

Meet The Familiar

Come make something with us.

We could always use more hands, more skills, and the odd box of materials.

Donate Coming soon! See the workshop wish list