You’re Invited ! Spend An Evening In The Arts District Of Downtown Las Vegas

Thursday night June 26, from 6–9 pm is a special night of gallery openings. If you’d like to avoid the crowds of First Friday, then come downtown Thursday Night for 4 receptions and grand openings.

BENEATH THE NEON: The exhibition

Grand opening reception and meet and greet with Matt O’Brien, the author of the BENEATH THE NEON book which inspired the exhibition by Brian Paco Alvarez. Some of the teenage artists who provided the art will be on hand. 

I had a sneak peek of the  exhibition yesterday. I  was overwhelmed with the authenticity and the talent of the artists. Brian Paco Alvarez has re-created a segment of the “underground gallery” that exists in the storm drains beneath the strip. The book itself got lots of press coverage last year, and the Exhibition got promoted last night and this morning on Channel 1.

The artists and author and the CAC hopes that the exhibit will spark a new dialogue among the politicians and public about the grafitti problem. There’s a huge difference between Grafitti Art and gang tagging to mark territories. Grafitti Art could and should be encouraged and supported in designated places. The storm tunnels have provided one outlet for the artists, but it’s not safe, and it doesn’t get seen by the public. Grafitti Art needs to be recognized at ART. Gang bangers who tag our neighborhoods to mark their territory should be arrested. Maybe some of the taggers would find a better way to spend their time if there were safe, legal places for them to create their art.

The new WEST WING of The Arts Factory

Leslie Rowland has named her new gallery L. ROWLAND ART.  Leslie,  Mark Diederichsen, and Steven Spann now have their own gallery spaces in the new west wing of the Arts Factory.

Their opening reception coincides with the CAC reception, and is just down the hall and around the corner from the CAC space. Make sure to drop by and congratulate them as well.

Dust Galley

Dust is holding a NEIGHBORHOOD RECEPTION at the same time on Thursday. My definition of neighborhood, of course includes all of my readers, so you’re invited as well. Dust is the ground floor of the SOHO LOFTS tower at 900 S. Las Vegas Blvd.

“Make It Rain” is the current exhibit by Curtis Fairman and Jeffrey Gibson.