Fine art isn’t a major part of the Las Vegas landscape, but it does exist. If you know where to look, you can find the work of masters such as Michael Goddard, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and more. From small local art spaces to fine art galleries, below are 10 of the best art galleries you’ll find in Sin City.
Sin City Gallery is all about skin. The contemporary art gallery focuses on the erotic, the provocative, and is an integral part of the Las Vegas art scene. The gallery, open since 2008, is famous for the international art exhibition 12 Inches of Sin. Current exhibits on display include Kei Kusuma’s collection Ultrablack and a group show called Nude Surveys.
Be sure to see this gallery soon; Sin City Gallery will be moving out of its current location at the end of July 2017. The gallery’s owner, Dr. Laura Henkel, plans to host pop-up exhibitions in Las Vegas and other cities.
The Wonderland Gallery showcases the surreal and the whimsical, similar to its namesake. Located inside the Arts Factory, the gallery is a popular place to visit during First Friday, Las Vegas’ monthly downtown art festival, and also hosts group shows throughout the year to promote local artists. The Wonderland Gallery features collections from artists Kat Tatz and Lynne Adamson Adrian, as well as rotating guest artists. Some of the past show themes were Frida Kahlo, Dia de Los Muertos, and steampunk.
The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, 12–4 p.m.
The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art showcases the masterpieces of world-renowned painters. Located inside the Bellagio, this gallery is perfect for anyone in search of a classic gallery experience. Past exhibits included the work of Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, and the Fabergé egg. The current collection, a tribute to the life of the late Muhammad Ali, will run through to the end of September 2017.
The gallery is open daily, with guided tours offered only at 2 p.m.
Centaur Art Gallery has one of the largest fine art collections on display in Las Vegas. Voted the “Best Place to Buy Art” in Las Vegas, Centaur is one of the most respectable galleries in the city. Artists on the gallery’s roster include Mary Cassatt, Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Xie Wa, and Eli Hopkins. The art space sits on the east side of the Las Vegas Strip and Interstate 15, just behind the Bellagio.
Centaur Fine Art Gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The Bubblegum Gallery, located next to the famous Skin City Body Painting Studio, is all about fun. It hosts painting and craft classes for all ages and is also available for private events. Classes include making slime, creating mouse ears, and painting. The gallery also hosts group exhibits every month, featuring all local artists. The Nightmare Before Christmas, Star Wars, The Wizard of Oz, and Beetlejuice were just some of the past group shows.
Hours will vary by class schedule, but The Bubblegum Gallery is always open on First Friday.
The Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery, open since in 1981, is one of the older art galleries in Las Vegas. As one of many galleries inside the UNLV campus, Donna Beam places a major emphasis on education and contemporary art. With as many as 15 shows on display annually, the gallery promotes both local and world-renowned talent, including students.
The gallery is open daily and is free to the public.
If you’ve been to Las Vegas before, chances are you’ve seen a Richard MacDonald sculpture. His bronze carvings celebrate the complexity and beauty of the human form and have become a familiar sight on the Las Vegas Strip. The world-famous sculptor’s subjects include dancers, clowns, and acrobats; some of his muses have even graced Cirque du Soleil’s stage. His work highlights the strength, the elegance and the emotion inside every performer, whether comedic or tragic. Most of his work is on display inside the Gallery Row at Aria, but smaller collections are available for viewing inside the Bellagio by the “O” Theater.
The Emergency Arts building in downtown Las Vegas is hard to miss. The structure with the red cross and the fish on its side started out as the first medical complex built in downtown Las Vegas, and now, it is home to caricature illustrators, designers, musicians, and artists. Emergency Arts frequently hosts live music nights and offers its patrons a welcome break from the smoke and the crowds on the streets and in the casinos. Located on the corner of 6th and Fremont Street, Emergency Arts is within walking distance of downtown hotels, as well as the Fremont Street Experience.
The Metropolitan Gallery Art Museum, once known as the Southern Nevada Museum of Fine Art, is a special addition to the Las Vegas valley. Inside the Neonopolis Complex on the second floor, the gallery, which opened in 2003, is in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. It has hosted an annual show featuring the work of Cirque du Soleil cast members, as well as an eclectic cast of rotating exhibitions.
The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday, or by appointment.
Graffiti Art Gallery is one of the best-kept secrets in Las Vegas. It’s not inside a physical building; the “gallery” takes up the back alley walls of various businesses in the downtown Las Vegas area. Located near the Arts District, the ever-changing alleys give their visitors something new to see on a regular basis. While the art space isn’t restricted by walls or location, Main Street and Casino Center is a good place to start. From there, you can walk over to Commerce and Main Street. The Graffiti Art Gallery is a favorite spot for calendar shoots, engagement photos, and the average art lover.
