LAS VEGAS, NEV.- The words 'art' and 'Las Vegas' aren't commonly associated with one another. When most people think of this Nevada-based paradise, they rightly conjure up images of a 'city of sin' with bright lights, dollar signs and temptations. While all of these are rife in Las Vegas, however, the city does also have a softer side – namely in the form of art galleries.
It's rare to find any city in the world in which you can combine the temptations of gambling with the serenity of art. Indeed, you could try walking around a London-based art gallery and
play casino games at Royal Vegas on your mobile, but if you want the real thing, check out any one of these beautiful galleries.
The Centerpiece Gallery
Deep within the heart of the
Mandarin Oriental Hotel, you'll find the white-walled gallery near the valet. It's a little tricky to find, but it's certainly more than worth it. Depending on which way you enter the gallery, you'll see pieces from CityCenter's $40 million collection, which features works by Maya Lin – a painting of the Colorado River – and Frank Stella, whose 32ft canvas from his 'protractor' series sits in the lobbies. Nancy Rubin's Bid Edge also resides there, comprising a large boat bouquet made of more than 200 tethered canoes and aluminium boats.
The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art
Though it's only been in operation since 1998, the
Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art has managed to drum up quite the reputation. The gallery has played host to some of the finest exhibitions in the history of art, including New York's Pace Wildenstein exhibition. The museum is controversially partnered with the Boston Museum of Fine Art, and creates a wonderful contrast between the city of sin and paintings by Monet.
The Contemporary Arts Center
This one's particularly special as it's based around not-for-profit arts groups. The 25-year-old arts
center showcases the significance of the not-for-profit arts scene in Las Vegas with its avant-garde exhibits. The gallery can be found in the industrial downtown arts district and features a varied range of artists, with exhibitions such as the SOMArts Cultural Center's touring exhibit of work by Tony Labat.
Cosmopolitan's P3 Studio
Famed for being the residence of MK Guth's 'Rapunzel' installation, the Cosmopolitan hotel's P3 Studio features a number of creative projects, including a 200ft statue with synthetic blonde hair. You'll also find mural by Shepard Fairey and Kenny Scharf, and visitors will also appreciate the 21st century rolling digital art in the hotel lobby.
