Ian Xavier, Co-Founder & Executive Producer

Originating from South Lake Tahoe, Ian’s path led him to San Diego for many years, but it’s Reno that now feels most like home. Deeply rooted here, he takes pride in contributing to its creative landscape and being a part of a growing arts community. As one of the creators behind Grand Artique, Ian spent the past decade+ working across nearly every facet of event production — from creating immersive musical environments at festivals like Lightning in a Bottle, Outside Lands, Beyond Wonderland, and Electric Forest, to helping curate large-scale experiences for brands such as Sony, L’Oréal and Samsung.

In 2025, Ian co-founded Western Lights alongside Rachel McIntyre and the City of Reno, producing the festival’s inaugural year. Western Lights was born out of a vision to illuminate Reno’s creative spirit, foster connection through art and music, and create an annual gathering that celebrates the city’s vibrancy. Ian channels his production experience into something uniquely local — a space that showcases not only talent from around the globe, but also the artistry and imagination already thriving in Reno.