Five Places To Find Art In Las Vegas This May

With the 3rd Annual Art & Wine Walk at The Stirling Club in Las Vegas on April 15, the Stirling Club Courtier has created a top five list for arts in Las Vegas. All of them represent the efforts of local artists and entrepreneurs working hard to jump start the Las Vegas art scene.

Five Places To Find Art In Las Vegas.

1. Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art

Beginning May 1, the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art will present a new exhibit — Figuratively Speaking: A Survey of the Human Form — through January 2011. The exhibit includes more than 30 paintings, drawings, and sculptures including Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Pablo Picasso, Alberto Giamometti, David Hockney, Keith Haring, and others. General admission is $12, with Nevada residents offered a special $8 price on Wednesday nights.

2. The Arts Factory

The Arts Factory is considered by many to be the cornerstone of First Friday Las Vegas, which is known for its arts tour trolleys that make rounds throughout the area. The Arts Factory is also home to several dozen local artists, including Niki J. Sands, Laura Henkel, Joseph Watson, Becky Misso, and others. The various galleries have varied hours, and several have special exhibits.

3. Art Encounter

Established in 1992, Art Encounter is one of the most popular art attractions for Las Vegas visitors, which includes six featured artists such as Juergen Aldaq, Jim Buckels, Vance Larson, Jennifer Main, Loppo Martinez, and Paul Tapia. Its next upcoming event features the 12th Annual Barry W. Becker, Jr. Art Show and Auction with featured artist Jennifer Main. The event will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., on Saturday, May 15 with the live auction starting at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

4. CENTERpiece

One of the newest additions to Las Vegas, CENTERpiece is a 2,500-square-foot fine art and design space inside CityCenter featuring more than 50 artists, including Richard Artschwager, Saul Steinberg, and Zhang Dali. CENTERpiece is also working to establish a local-visitor connection, with its next general exhibit featuring art of students from Bishop Gorman High School.

5. Contemporary Arts Center

A recipient of the 30th Annual Governor's Arts Award for Leadership in Organizations, the Contemporary Arts Center in Las Vegas is currently hosting its 21st Annual Juried Show, featuring 41 artists from a field of more than 500 entries. The work includes Jennifer Kleven, Lance Smith, and Thomas Bumblauskas. The Contemporary Arts Center is included as part of the First Friday Las Vegas route.

For more ongoing advice on the developing artist scene in Las Vegas, members are invited to call The Stirling Club concierge. They are happy to assist with reservations or plan logistics for maximizing art opportunities in Las Vegas.

The Stirling Club also frequently hosts fine and cultural arts events. To learn more about upcoming programs offered at The Stirling Club, contact Kathleen Gustafson, executive director of membership, at 702-784-4603 or by email via The Stirling Club Web site.

3rd Annual Stirling Art & Wine Walk In Las Vegas

Las Vegas might sometimes seem like the most unlikely place, but it is home to several dozen international and exceptionally talented artists. The climate, lifestyle, and continual buzz of international visitors has attracted them.

This Thursday, April 15, is an opportunity to see some of their work at the 3rd Annual Art & Wine Walk at The Stirling Club in Las Vegas. The Art & Wine Walk features about 20 different local artists and six different wines from three different wineries. It's an excellent and rare opportunity to see the work in the comfortable surroundings of the most exclusive club in Las Vegas and meet many of the artists in person.

Highlighted Wines From Handley Cellars

Handley Cellars, operated by winemakers Milla Handley and Kristen Barnhisel, is an organic certified estate vineyard in the Anderson Valley, known for its cool foggy nights and bright sunny days. The Handley family also owns a Dry Creek Valley (Sonoma County) vineyard near the Russian River. Featured wines* include:

Pinot Gris, Handley Cellars, Anderson Valley, 2007
Sauvingnon Blanc, Handley Cellars, Anderson Valley, 2007
Pinot Noir, Handley Cellars, Anderson Valley, 2007

* linked to closest comparable wines when an exact match was not available.

Highlights From Louis M. Martini

Originally established in 1933 by a colorful young man who believed that the best wine could only be made from the best grapes. After studying winemaking in Italy, he returned to the United States and purchased land in Napa and Sonoma counties. Featured wines include:

Cabernet Sauvignon, Louis M. Martini, Sonoma County, 2006

Highlights From William Hill Estate

The William Hill Estate was designed with winemaking in mind. The vineyard is situated just outside the winery door giving winemaker Ralf Holdenried the freedom to be involved in every aspect of the winemaking process. It is located just off the Silverado Trail in Southern Napa on the Silverado Bench. Featured wines include:

Chardonnay, William Hill Estate, Napa Valley. 2006
Merlot, William Hill Estate, Napa Valley, 2006


Highlighted Artists at Art & Wine Walk

Roberto Andreev
Sigrid Brunel
Kathy Cartier
Donovan Fitzgerald
Sharon Gainsburg
Marty Kreloff
Beti Kristof
Olga Minkevitch
Niki Sands
Tom McGrady

Light hors d'œuvres will be served. The event is $20 per person for member admisson and an additional discount for Stirling Club Wine Society members. The event begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. in The Stirling Room.

For non-members hoping to join the event, contact Kathleen Gustafson, executive director of membership, at 702-784-4603 or by e-mail via The Stirling Club Web site.

Kids Discover Art At The Stirling Club

Every month, The Stirling Club extends a benefit exclusively to kids, ages 5-12, in a very unique and memorable way. Art Classes for Kids, which is a privately owned art institute for children, hosts a private workshop for Stirling Club family members in the Verandah Room. The classes typically sell out weeks in advance.

Last March 13, more than 25 enthusiastic children, ages 5-12, joined the workshop to complete their choice of three "green" themed acrylic paintings on canvas. The paintings, which were selected from the works of famous artists for inspiration, included a flower, abstract design, or landscape.

One of the paintings, inspired by renowned artist Emily Wood, went a long way in capturing the philosophy of her art as well as the work. Painting is about discovery of techniques and ideas, but wonderfully about self-discovery, she says in her statement.

Under the direction of Kim Crisostomo, owner and principal instructor, Art Classes for Kids delivers. For two hours, young artists follow the step-by-step strokes until completing their masterpieces. Occasionally, they break long enough to enjoy refreshments and fresh baked cookies provided by the Charlie Palmer executive chef team.

All of the materials are provided, including T-shirts for cover up. Additional instructors answer questions and work one-on-one with the artists as needed.

The next workshop hosted at The Stirling Club will be from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 3. Given the class will be held one day before Easter, Art Classes for Kids will focus on rabbit illustrations, with a choice of three different compositions and styles. The medium will include chalk pastels.

To reserve space, call The Stirling Club special events coordinator Diedra Smith at 702-784-4637. The workshop is $25 per child. Parents who are members are welcome to time their spa and salon appointments to coincide with the class.

Art Classes for Kids also offers art camps, art parties, and private instruction. The instruction specializes in drawing, painting, and sculpting with creative projects inspired by famous artists and historical art movements. Most projects can be completed in a class, allowing the children to take something home the same day.

Members looking for an unrelated excursion may consider attending a special "locals only" art exhibition featuring the work of local artists from the CENTERpiece Gallery, which is located in the porte-cochere of the Mandarin Oriental. The first exhibition will feature the work of photographer Shawn Hummel from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 8. Hors d'oeuvres will be provided by SIMON. Reservations are required by April 5. 702-739-7563.