Art in Vegas: Bigger, Brighter, Bolder
Who says there are no guaranteed wins in the gambling capital? Museums, galleries and deep-pocketed casinos showcase top-tier work free of charge.
David Hockney’s Garrowby Hill
Guggenheim and MoMA are old news for art buffs. Aficionados looking for old masters in new spots should head to Sin City, where Monets, Hockneys, Picassos and Warhols are at their fingertips — minus the long lines, velvet ropes and pricey entrance fees you'd expect. Thanks to a recent spate of casino one-upmanship, the city that prides itself on glitz and glamour, decadence and debauchery also has a world-class selection of collections.
The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art — Elegant and sophisticated like its host hotel, this gallery displays themed exhibitions from the world's top museums and private collections. Currently, A Sense of Place: Landscapes from Monet to Hockney is on display, which features pieces from the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. 3600 Las Vegas Blvd S; 888-987-6667; www.bellagio.com
CityCenter — This 16,797,000-square-foot glass-and-steel complex of hotels, shops and restaurants houses a fine art collection valued at $40 million that includes over 15 installations that are spread across its various lobbies and casinos. Get swept away by Silver River, Maya Lin's representation of the Colorado River: a fluid looking, 3,700-pound, 84-foot sculpture that's suspended over the registration desk at the Aria Hotel. If that doesn't float your boat, head outside for Big Edge, Nancy Rubins' colorful explosion of kayaks and canoes in front of the Vdara hotel. 3780 Las Vegas Blvd S; 866-722-7171; www.citycenter.com
THEhotel at Mandalay Bay — The sophisticated black and beige, marble-clad lobby offers the perfect backdrop for a rotating cadre of works by the likes of Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns. Check out Arturo Herrera's stunning Night Before Last, an aggressively tangled web of icy blue squiggles that's reminiscent of a Rorschach test. It inspires museum-like reverence — no wonder crowds stop to snap photos and talk in hushed tones. 3950 Las Vegas Blvd S; 877-632-7000; www.mandalaybay.com
The Bellagio Lobby — Get blown away by Dale Chihuly's Fiori di Como. The brilliantly colored piece is one of the world's largest glass sculptures and consists of over 2,000 hand-blown glass flowers. In the city of "bigger is better," it's not surprising that it's rumored to have cost upward of $40 million. 3600 Las Vegas Blvd S; 888-987-6667; bellagio.com
The Arts Factory — This former warehouse in the heart of a budding downtown art center is home to 18 working studios and galleries that showcase contemporary art by up-and-comers. It also hosts theatrical performances and a live poetry event every Saturday. Don't miss Andrzej Maciejwski's Garden Of Eden show, on view through Jan. 21. 107 E Charleston Blvd; 702-383-3133; www.theartsfactory.com
Beyond The Roulette Wheel
Stop thinking in terms of red and black and start your colorful, cultured tour of Vegas at these three artsy events.
First Friday
This monthly event started in 2001 as a grass roots effort by the local arts community, but just got some serious street cred when its trademark was purchased in September by executives looking to use it to revitalize Vegas' downtown. On the first Friday of every month, more than 80 studios and galleries in the Arts District stay open late while thousands of locals and visitors mingle over food, art and live music. Upcoming dates: Jan. 6, Feb. 3, March 2. www.firstfridaylasvegas.com
Bellagio Wine Pairing
Every second Wednesday of the month, the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Arts hosts "Art and Wine: A Perfect Pairing," where the hotel's Director of Wine and Master Sommelier, Jason Smith, presents his take on which libation goes best with a specific piece of art. Champagne or tequila? Depends on the exhibition. Upcoming dates: March 14, Apr. 11, May 9. www.bellagio.com
Live Drawing Class
Not for the easily flustered, every Tuesday night the Arts Factory hosts a live drawing class where participants share the cost of a live nude model. Capture the elusive nature of the human condition (try not to giggle) before heading to the on site Bar and Bistro. www.theartsfactory.com
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