Great things are happening
in the city of Las Vegas.

The Golden Knights are 2023 Stanley Cup winners; music lovers are flocking to our city to see one of the many resident musical artists; Superbowl 58 will be held at Allegiant Stadium February 11, and Elaine Wynn and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art are planning a new $150 million arts museum for the city.

The mission of HAVarts is very simple: to play a leadership role in expanding the touch points between artists and the diverse communities of Las Vegas. HAVarts will achieve our mission by hosting exhibitions, patronizing existing fine art establishments, supporting musicians, and much more.

Facilitating a thriving arts community will take artists, programming, and your participation. So please tune-in and get ready to show up to events in record numbers so sponsors and patrons have positive proof that you are interested. Let’s elevate enthusiasm for the fine arts starting now. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York

Free or Not to Be

Should Museum Admission Be Free?

There are pros and cons to the differing approaches for funding access to art institutions. The Museum of Modern Art recently increased their admission price to $30 per visitor for the average adult. Many America museums charge entrance fees to visit their collections while relying on wealthy donors and patrons to fund capital campaigns, host major exhibitions, or update their permanent collections.

HAVarts encourages you to have a point of view on this topic. Hopefully, you will agree that there should be no "barriers to entry" for the fine arts.

HAVarts.com has posted links to several articles and editorials that advocate for free admission to museums. Cast your vote in our online poll.

Unique Focus for February

“There is NO Art without history!”
~ Dr. Jimmie Franklin, Professor of History Emeritus, Vanderbilt University 

The genesis for Black History Month or African American History Month started as the brainchild of Dr. Carter G. Woodson. In February 1926, he launched the celebration of "Negro History Week," the precursor of Black History Month.

Dr. Woodson was a journalist, historian, author and educator. He is considered the founder of African-American studies and Afrocentrism.

Left: Out Chorus by Romare Bearden, 1980. Right: Confrontation at the Bridge by Jacob Lawrence, 1975.

Intro to the Icons

A quick introduction to two icons of African American art: Romare Bearden and Jacob Lawrence.

Both Bearden and Lawrence have extensive bodies of work that showcase Black history intertwined with art. Familiarity with their work is a foundational part of understanding African American art history.

"Tribute to Servitude" by Harold Bradford

Artist Harold Bradford

One of the resident artists of the Left of Center Gallery.

Mr. Bradford has a major art installation at the Harry Reid/Las Vegas Airport. 

The Left of Center Gallery is located in the Las Vegas metropolitan area. They have a superb African Art collection, a fine art gallery that features curated shows, and a studio where students and established artists can work. Watch a video featuring Vogue Robinson of Left of Center at havarts.org/2024/left-of-center-a-30-year-legacy.

Hope, Change, Vote, Progress

The message is clear and succinct and it is vitally relevant right now!

Shepard Fairey created the 2008 campaign posters for Illinois Senator Barack H. Obama’s run for the White House.

SWANN Auction Galleries

January 11-25, 2024: Timed Auction of WPA objects including prints, posters, paintings, mural studies, dioramas, and New Deal work program signage.

February 8, 2024: The Subculture Sale — Posters from fringe, avant garde, and indie artists look at the material culture of Punk, Rock, Psych, Hip Hop, Jazz, and more.

View additional auctions at www.swanngalleries.com/schedule

Around Town January – February  

For me, Black History month starts with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday, so here are some things to check out!

2024 MLK Jr. Parade in Las Vegas, KTNV Coverage. See you next year at the 2025 event. 

See The Kinsey African American Art & History Collection. Take a Day trip to LA, tour the RAMS-SOFI stadium, and see this storied collection. Imagine what we can do in Vegas to celebrate African American Art!

The Las Vegas Clark County library has a myriad of activities scheduled for Black History Month  2024. Envelop yourself in Black History with The District Library - Clark County/Las Vegas.

Check out the Smith Center Programming for Black History Month.  Myron’s CAFÉ has some standout musical programming.

From historian Henry Louis Gates, see Making Black America Through the Grapevine on your local PBS station or stream it. This is a 4-part mini series that showcases Black American excellence. Watch with your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, go to www.pbs.org/show/making-black-america. 

Presidents Day (February 19th) provides the perfect time to visit a history museum and refresh your knowledge. Make preserving and expanding interest in African American culture your mission for February. See great artifacts and art at one of these noted museums, www.seegreatart.art/what-are-the-best-african-american-history-museums-across-the-u-s.

TheList.Vegas

Vegas Art Events courtesy of The List at TheList.Vegas. The List offers a comprehensive listing of events, fine dining, and programming for the Las Vegas Community.

Hayes Advocacy for the Vegas Arts is working to provide opportunities for you to engage in the arts. Your donation helps us provide amazing seminars, impressive exhibitions, and engaging events.

HAVarts is a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization, EIN 93-1978255.
Your gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law.