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Las Vegas Museum of Art
Las Vegas Museum of Art
It's still a work in progress, but the Las Vegas Art Museum (LVAM) has come a long way from its early days as a ramshackle property enclosing a small, undistinguished collection of local and regional works.
Art Displays
Built in 1935 from railroad ties, the museum of art displays contemporary international, national and regional art from the US, Europe and elsewhere spanning earlier centuries.
How It All Started
Originally established as the Las Vegas Art League, the museum was opened in the 1950’s by a group of dedicated volunteers, by 1966 it was housed in historic Lorenzi Park. In 1974, the Art League changed its name to Las Vegas Art Museum. It then became the first fine-arts museum in southern Nevada and is listed in the National Registry of Art Museums.
Current Location
The Museum relocated to a newly constructed $20 million facility, adjacent to the West Las Vegas Library, in January 1997 which remains the current location of the Museum. In 2002, an affiliation with the Smithsonian provided access to some of the top touring exhibitions in the world.
Famous Exhibits
In recent years the LVAM has hosted exhibits featuring retrospectives on Dale Chihuly, Marc Chagall, Salvador Dali, Auguste Rodin and was selected as one of only seven US museums to display Gilbert Stuart's famous 1796 portrait of George Washington, one of the most important historical artefacts of the Revolutionary War era.
The Permanent Collection
The museum's permanent collection may still be lacking in variety, but there are some interesting contemporary paintings and sculptures on display, and the "Vegas art" section has a certain kitschy charm. Still, it's the travelling exhibits that draw the crowds.
Goals
The Museums goals are to enrich and enhance the cultural and educational opportunities of the city's residents and visitors by making art accessible through exhibitions, education, events and community outreach.
Location and Opening Times
The Las Vegas Art Museum is located at 9600 West Sahara Avenue in the Library/Fine Arts Museum building and is open from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday and 1 - 5 pm on Sundays.
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