Most people associate Las Vegas with gambling, neon signs and nightclubs, but the southern Nevada city is also an under-the-radar art hub where you can find galleries on the Strip, Downtown and elsewhere.
The first Friday of every month in Las Vegas sees the return of lively crowds, art galleries with open doors, food truck vendors and dancing in the streets around the Arts District. This increasingly popular First Friday event, coupled with a reinvented Main Street, is proof that Las Vegas isn’t just a destination for blackjack and booze; it’s also a destination for art. If you believe in Las Vegas as a city where art thrives, discover the its art scene with our guide of the best galleries in Las Vegas.
Centaur Art Gallery
Art Gallery
Centaur Art Gallery is the oldest art gallery in Las Vegas and offers a great collection, especially if you’re interested in purchasing artwork. The gallery, which has a large collection of 19th- and 20th-century pieces, also has contemporary selections and a master collection of artworks from the likes of Pablo Picasso, Renoir, Salvador Dalí, Rembrandt and other acclaimed artists.
If you’re a frequent Las Vegas visitor, you’ll want to visit the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. The small gallery located in the Promenade Shops inside the Bellagio Hotel and Casino features rotating exhibitions in a calm, intimate setting that offers a peaceful retreat from the casino floor. Recently, the museum made a splash with Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room: Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity, which allowed guests to stand in a darkened mirrored room and observe glowing lights that appeared to stretch on forever.
Located on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) campus, just moments from the Strip, the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art offers a free public gallery space for the community. As one of the most diverse universities in the country, it’s no surprise that this museum’s focus on representation has been a core value since its 1967 inception. Stop by to see rotating exhibitions or to attend lectures and special programs from visiting artists.
It’s easy to overlook the Metropolitan Gallery Las Vegas, as it is tucked away in a quiet landing inside the already-quiet Neonopolis on Fremont Street. However, it is worth making time for a visit to this gallery the next time you’re in Downtown Las Vegas if you’re interested in watercolors, photography, sculpture, mixed medium and even electronic art.
If you’re traveling to the Arts District by way of Charleston Boulevard, you won’t miss The Arts Factory, which is colorfully adorned with a magenta, teal, orange and green striped mural that says “Love Las Vegas.” Step inside and you’ll discover over 20 art galleries and studios showcasing visual art from local Las Vegas artists. This is a must-visit during First Friday!
Don’t let the Boulevard Mall location fool you – the 3D Trick Art Museum makes for a memorable off-Strip outing where you’ll spend hours enjoying immersive art. Also known as HeadzUP Vegas, they offer the largest collection of 3D art in the US, and you’re encouraged to be a part of underwater worlds, upside-down rooms and paintings that allow you to dangle on the ledges of buildings.
Looking for a free art gallery in Las Vegas? The Las Vegas-Clark County Library Art Galleries offer 13 branch galleries that are home to rotating exhibitions that collectively host almost 100 shows per year. These library art galleries aren’t just a few walls with paintings on them tucked behind the books; they’re full-sized galleries featuring work from acclaimed Las Vegas artists such as Jerry Misko, whose recent Polyhedral collection at the Sahara West Library used dice to create colorful paintings.
Fans of contemporary photography will love Mario Basner’s award-winning photography collection, which largely depicts abandoned, historic sites. His work focuses on the scale of these places and has been lauded by local and international publications. See it for yourself at his Tivoli Village gallery, located right next door to popular open-air Italian coffee shop, Leoné Café.
In the shadows of the Strip, you’ll find Domsky Glass, a studio that utilizes metal and glass to create innovative lighting and sculptures. The art gallery has created beautiful custom pieces for world-class hotels, Cirque Du Soleil shows, fine dining restaurants and high-end shops. You can contact the studio to arrange a visit, or check out an open house and see the art of glass-blowing in person.
