VEGASinsight Archives

Left: Photography by Chris Waters. Right: Painting by Brent Becker.

We already know all the cool kids will be in downtown Las Vegas for the monthly First Friday proceedings on April 4. Though many of you like to skip the arts festival and go straight to the after-parties (you know who you are), you might want to try balancing those Jager shots with some culture.

VEGASinsight recommends checking out “Waiting,” the solo show of photographer Chris Waters’ work at Jennifer Marie Gallery (Arts Factory, 101 E. Charleston Blvd., #205). If photography’s not your thing, but slappin’ paint on canvas is, head over to MTZC (Commerce Street Studios, 1551 S. Commerce St.) for the first solo show by Brent Becker, “(CON)temporary (DIS)connect.” There is an opening reception for Waters’ show on Thursday, April 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. if you want to get a sneak peak before fighting your way through a thicket of eyeliner-drenched emo kids on First Friday.

Speaking of kids, the hipsters of The In Crowd and Indiekrush.com are providing an all-ages outlet for booty-shaking inside the Attic (1018 S. Main St.) at 9 p.m. with Infamous: The Masquerade. This dance party features DJs Bul!m!atron, Teen Wolf, Autobahn, ABOM, Va Jay Jay, and Geno spinning dirty eelctro, nu-rave and bangers. Cover is only $5 before 10 p.m., $7 after. (more…)

Mayor Goodman — making Las Vegas safe for lowbrow art yet again! 

Remember that news about First Friday losing half its annual funding from the City of Las Vegas and the subsequent donation stands now set up at the entrance to the street festival? Well, apparently Mayor Oscar Goodman — who hasn’t been up to much lately, near as we can tell — has ponied up $10,000 for Whirlygig, Inc., the non-profit that runs the annual art walk. It came from his own political action committee, as reported in today’s Las Vegas Sun.

Though it won’t make up for the $80,000 or so the organization lost annually, it will do more than the returns on the optional $2 donation requested each month by First Friday visitors.

“While it’s helpful, it certainly is not enough to support the event at this time,” Cindy Funkhouser, founder of First Friday, told the Sun of the trickling-in walk-up donations.

Teresa M. Williams’ “Enigmatic Flow”

Usually, the Arts Factory (101 E. Charleston Blvd.) gets all the attention when it comes to exhibit openings, especially on that magical Thursday before First Friday each month. That’s when it seems every gallery inside the Arts District’s hub building holds a reception for its forthcoming show. So it’s little wonder that Commerce Street Studios (1551 S. Commerce St.) does something a little different: A night of closing receptions, two weeks removed from the hustle of First Friday week.

This Saturday, March 22, MTZC holds a closing reception for Teresa M. Williams’ exhibit of drawings, “Enigmatic Flow,” from 6 to 9 p.m. Meanwhile, at the same time downstairs at The Fallout, Rick Dominguez and Cindy Funkhouser celebrate not only the one-year anniversary of their gallery, but also their marriage, which took place in that very space one year ago! While there, check out “Play This” before it packs up for the month.

But that’s not all! A few feet north, Circadian Studios celebrates the first show by Stephanie Ford and Amber Varde, appropriately titled “Poppin’ Our Cherries!” Can you handle this much art all at once? Or that much free wine and beer? We know you can. See you there.

Artwork from the show, by Ayako Ono.

One of Las Vegas’ oldest non-profit art organizations, the Contemporary Arts Collective, is holding its 19th annual juried show, on display now through April 26. Exhibiting artists this year represent a diversity of established and upcoming talent, including Marty Walsh, Jorge Catoni, Justin Favela, Mary Beth Heishman, Brent Sommerhauser and many others.
 
“We had a huge response from artists interested in participating in our juried show,” said CAC Executive Director Beate Kirmse. “It was a tough decision, but ultimately we feel the artists chosen represent the wide variety of talent in Las Vegas.”

A reception for the show, at which prizes will be awarded, will be held on Thursday, April 3. The work in the show – which includes paintings, mixed media, photography and video – was juried by Majorie Vecchio, director of UNLV’s Sheppard Fine Arts Gallery.
 
The CAC gallery is located on the first floor of the Arts Factory at 101 E. Charleston Blvd. For more information, call 702-382-3886 or visit www.lasvegascac.org.

“Trainyard,” by Nicole Yoder

Since opening the Jennifer Marie Gallery inside the Arts Factory (101 E. Charleston Blvd.) last fall, Jennifer Harrington has followed her passion, providing a home for fresh art and upcoming artists. Her gallery was featured in Racket magazine’s art issue in December and has been warmly received by the local art scene. But up until now, the gallery has featured mostly paintings, sculpture and mixed media, but not much by way of photography.

That’s about to change, with the opening of “Kiss” on Thursday March 6. This group show will feature the work of a diverse range of Las Vegas-based photographers, including some unsung heroes and UNLV students and graduates.

“I’m doing a mix of fine artists and some young photographers,” Harrington says. “I really want a show that says something about Las Vegas and the people who live and work here.”

Nightlife photographer Melissa Reese, VURB magazine art director Christopher Smith, UNLV MFA graduate Sam Davis and photographer Nicole Yoder, whose work was featured at the gallery previously in the “Pretty Little Things” exhibit, are among the artists featured in “Kiss.” Harrington said she specifically wanted to feature fine artists alongside working photographers, who typically only get a chance to shoot on assignment. The “Kiss” theme was created just to encourage creativity.

“I called this show ‘Kiss’ so that everyone could have a bit of fun, and make a pretty show to look at,” Harrington says.

The March 6 reception starts at 6 p.m. and the show runs throughout the month. For more information on the exhibit or the gallery, visit the Jennifer Marie Gallery website or call 702-686-3164.

Reasons you should be at the Double Down Saloon (4640 Paradise Road) from 6 to 9 p.m. this Thursday, Feb. 28:

1. There will be live entertainment by DJ Bozo and Szandora the Hula Hoop Chick.

2. You need Ass Juice.

3. Dirk Vermin will be there. And he said so.

4. Toni James will be there. Don’t make him cry and ruin his makeup.

5. The Las Vegas arts community is coming together for “The Funk-Raiser” to raise funds to help offset First Friday founder and Funk House owner Cindy Funkhouser’s medical bills. The art scene pioneer has been battling a rare form of cancer since last year and though she’s pulled through like the fighter she is, her medical expenses have piled up.

Funkhouser, who also co-owns The Fallout gallery with husband Rick Dominguez, is far too proud to ask for help, but her family and friends are banding together to produce this auction to create a fun way to gather some dough to ease her wallet’s strain.

The live auction, emceed by Vermin and James, will feature works donated by local artists such as Mark T. Zeilman, Dray and Tony Bondi, as well as other items such as massages, jewelry, dinners, shows and salon services.

Do you need another reason to be at the Double Down on Thursday night? We didn’t think so.

City of the World gallery, located in that quaint blue house on the corner of Colorado Street and Casino Center Boulevard, is calling all artists to submit their works for a series of six juried art exhibits the gallery will host in 2008.

The first theme, for debut at a reception during the March 7 First Friday, is “A Self Portrait” or “One’s Self Visualized.” The submissions for this show should then be works of and from artists about themselves. Any form or medium is welcome. Jury fee is $10 for the first piece and $5 for any additional; deadline for the March show is March 1.

For questions or more information about the juried shows, contact Gina Quaranto at GmachineQ@aol.com or call 702-260-9757. City of the World is located at 1229 S. Casino Center Blvd.

Music. Art. The two concepts are nearly inseparable, to the point that one might argue one is simply a subset of the other. Well, you can have that philosophical debate with other art and music lovers at The Fallout on Friday, Feb. 22, when the gallery presents “Play This,” a musically inspired group show.

The opening reception runs from 6 to 9 p.m. that evening, and the show runs through April 4. Featured artists include Mark T. Zeilman, Casey Weldon, Marty Walsh, Tom Pfannerstil, KD Matheson, Jennifer and Brian Henry, Roxy Bisquera, Albert Montoya, Keri Schroeder, Brent Becker, Cristina Paulos, Shan Michael Evans, Jennifer Devereaux and Thirry.

For more information, visit www.thefallout.net or call the gallery at 702-269-3111. The Fallout is located at 1551 S. Commerce St.

Danny Roberts’ Damned Ink Studios on the second floor of the Arts Factory (101 E. Charleston Blvd.) is celebrating its first anniversary with what promises to be a very cool event tonight, Jan. 31, from 6 to 10 p.m. Not only will Roberts be unveiling some new inks and sketches, but he’s also offering 15% off any purchase, tonight only.

In addition to the usual food and beverages you’ve come to expect at these things, the one-and-only DJ Miss Joy will be providing the musical soundtrack for the evening. As if you needed one more reason.

For more information, visit the Damned Ink Studios website.

We’re sad to read in the Las Vegas Sun that Las Vegas Paper Doll, a unique and upscale stationery and gift store owned by downtown Vegas fixture Anne Kellogg, is closing Feb. 29. Kellogg, according to the Sun, will become marketing and public relations manager for the Las Vegas Art Museum.

We recommend getting over to Paper Doll not only to grab some goodies and say goodbye, but also to check out the new collection of work by local artist and Arts Factory curator Caesar Garcia, originally slated to be on display until March 12, but obviously time is running out.