Las Vegas CityLife

Scene From A Mall Local art gets a boost with the opening of the Southern Nevada Center for the Arts by JARRET KEENE

above: Backdraft by A.D. Cook

DESPITE an ailing economy and a downtown development project seemingly incapable of maintaining any business, the Southern Nevada Center for the Arts (450 Fremont St.) enjoyed its grand opening Jan. 23-25 in Neonopolis' old food court area on the second floor. The artists who have set up shop inside the SNCA are impressive and eager to create a kind of cultural momentum. They and the center's staff should be congratulated for a cool weekend that involved art demonstrations (Nevada Clay Guild's wheel demos), music (Gents of Swing), poetry (Keith Brantley) and dance (Argentine tango).

Anyone who's paid attention this paper's arts coverage will recognize many of the artists' names: Leslie Rowland, Daniel Pearson, Gina Quaranto, Michael Griesgraber -- just to name a handful who've participated in solo and group exhibits as part of the monthly First Friday event. Although Neonopolis doesn't qualify as the Downtown Arts District, the talents involved brought the same level of good will and enthusiasm to the SNCA that they have to their efforts at more familiar galleries in the Arts Factory and Holsum Lofts.

Still, this is no glorified shopping mall. This is genuine art for discriminating collectors.

"The event was great, with plenty of positive people showing up," says artist A.D. Cook, who specializes in work that highlights the beauty of the female form. "The kind of art I do doesn't lend itself to walk-up, impulse buying. I build relationships with my clients and, when you do these kinds of shows, your clients sometimes need to hang the painting on the wall for a few days before you make a sale. The center helps make this possible."

As Cook points out, even in an economic downturn, art remains tangible. Anyone who's purchased original art knows you get a lifetime return. Besides, what else can you spend a few thousand on and enjoy for the rest of your life?

"As artists we tend to work in our caves, and now we're benefiting from the energy that the art center allows us," adds Cook. "There's a lot of creative collaboration going on."

Quaranto, whose work possesses a gothic edge with an emphasis on skeletons and spooky girls, helped move furniture and art items for her fellow artists. "I hope this takes off," she says. "Vegas needs something like this."

Organizers estimate more than 1,000 attendees visited during opening weekend, and vow to make the art center bigger and bolder.

The center shouldn't be confused with the adjacent Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art, currently exhibiting Revealing Women Redux, featuring painter Susanne Forestieri and sculptor Roberta Baskin Shefrin through March 25, 2009. Info: www.snmoffa.org.

Southern Nevada Center for the Arts Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Neonopolis 450 Fremont St. www.artcenteronline.com 702-878-1717 Admission Free

source: http://lasvegascitylife.com/articles/2009/01/29/ae/art/iq_26549924.txt

above: Solstice by A.D. Cook

Las Vegas Review Journal - Furniture & Design Section

Artists Showcase Their Work at Neonopolis

Finding art that fits your home's décor while projecting your personality can be a time consuming job. But, we have a new resource here in Las Vegas that could make that easier, if not down right fun.

Carl Corcoran, president of Southern Nevada Center for the Arts, has opened an art center on the second floor inside the Neonopolis on Fremont Street. The grand opening event was held Jan. 23-25.

"We're looking forward to a bright and beautiful, art-filled 2009," Corcoran said.

Amazing and diverse are the artists at the new arts center. Walk the halls and you will be awed by the talent that abounds in our city. We are so fortunate to have this level of creativity in our midst, and this resource within our grasp.

It doesn't matter your style, there are artists that satisfy every criterion. And, if that's not enough, most of these creative souls will do commissioned (custom-made) pieces. If you have something in mind for your home but nothing you see feels right, consider a commissioned piece. Find an artist's work that amazes you and talk to him or her about creating a piece that will fit like a glove.

Here is but a glimmer of the glory that caught my eye as I walked through this energetic new space, with my apologies to the 30 additional suites and 41 artists that I couldn't fit into this article.

Artist A.D. Cook does what he loves. Whether he is using airbrush, photography or metal, his artwork is moving. His studio is alive with pictures of nudes that are so realistic, you may need to ask which ones are photographs and which are paintings. His metal work art is yet another avenue of intrigue as the pictures change when you walk from one side of the room to the other. Sure to inspire, Cook has been in Las Vegas since 2006.

Photographer William Carr's worldwide travels are documented through such detail and vivid color at World Focus Images. Most photos don't begin to compare to the detail, intensity and intrigue that comes through in these masterful photos. With an artistic eye for beauty and a high-resolution camera, these amazing images bring exotic places into your home.

Ruel James is a sculptor and artist. The British artist, born in Jamaica and educated in England, has a working studio in the Center for the Arts. His sculptures also are seen in the Palazzo and Station casinos. James has excelled in a variety of mediums such as oil, watercolor, airbrush, acrylic and sculpture. His studio at Neonopolis also offers drawing and sculpting classes. His work is skillful and something we are proud to embrace in our town.

Windancer Studio is shared by two artists. Lovely and imaginative porcelain creations by Teresa Testa are displayed on shelves as the walls are filled with paintings from nature-loving artist Bonnie Kelso. Kelso paints vibrant, whimsical interpretations of nature. It was delightful to see her work in progress as she painted in the hallway.

Around the corner sat Jill Czerwinski, one of Testa's pottery students. Czerwinski was "throwing on a wheel" (she had clay on a round table that was spinning and she was working the clay). Although Czerwinski only claimed to be a student, I believe her to be a talented, albeit humble, soul as I realized her teacher Testa proudly displayed her work. I do believe Czerwinski is developing a clever clay niche.

Another multifaceted suite is Shine, which belongs to artist Leslie Rowland. Rowland has a passion for humor and poetry. Her artistic styles are developed and contrasting. She is widely known and regarded for her witty quotes, poetry and messages carved into custom-painted pieces of furniture, but has now added larger-than-life abstract, mixed-media artwork to her repertoire. The grace in which she selects and blends the various colors are hypnotizing.

Also showcased in the Shine suite are metal sculptures by Scott Sandoval. The metal is hand formed from cold-rolled steel, ground, polished and powder coated. The effervescent colors are extraordinary. You can find his abstract metalwork in various forms, from platters to statues. And finally, Gulten Dye, a renowned jewelry designer, displays her amazing creations along with those of Deborah Pittman, who paints Japanese floats (balls). Remarkable designs that fit every mood are one-of-a-kind and sure to impress.

Artists creating every genre of art you can possibly imagine walk among us. The Southern Nevada Center for the Arts is a fun place to absorb the brilliance of the various artists that live in our city. We are truly blessed.

My hope is that you will walk through the Neonopolis to view our local talent. It is sure to enrich your life and speak to your soul. And if you will stand in front of a piece of art and let it speak to you, it just might say, "take me home."

Southern Nevada Center for the Arts plans to have future art openings, classes, workshops and master workshops. The Web site, www.ArtCenterOnline.com, will keep you abreast of the artful events to come, and introduce you to all the artists who show their crafts.

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Cindy Payne is a certified interior designer with more than 25 years of experience, a member of the American Society of Interior Designers, as well as a licensed contractor. E-mail questions to her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or send them to her at Project Design Interiors, 2620 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 189, Las Vegas, NV 89109. She can be reached online at www.projectdesigninteriors.com.

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source: http://www.lvrj.com/furniture_and_design/39258052.html

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