Art festival to draw creative community to Downtown Summerlin

Sometimes, fate has a way of seeing someone's effort reaches more people than expected. That's how it was for Niki J. Sands, whose art was selected as the poster for the 20th anniversary of the Summerlin Festival of Arts.

The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 10 and 11 at Downtown Summerlin, 1980 Festival Plaza Drive. When Sands submitted her artwork for consideration to be one of the festival's artists, the poster idea was just that, an idea. None of the artists knew that Summerlin was even looking to produce a poster.

The 18-inch-by-24-inch piece, titled "Musical Journey," was rendered using acrylics.

When deciding which paintings to include, Sands said she rejected some ideas, as they didn't seem to fit the theme or mood of the festival.

"I chose this particular piece because I feel music, art and performance are all tied together in a unique way," she said. "Painting is an expression that can capture the essence of many emotions."

Danielle Bisterfeldt, director of marketing for Summerlin, said Sands' piece was chosen for the poster because it was "lively and attention-grabbing. Most importantly, she is a longtime Las Vegan and festival participant, and we wanted to promote our local arts community by featuring a local artist. She is also connected locally with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which is the charity receiving the proceeds generated by the poster sales."

While there is no formal compensation, with the selection of "Musical Journey," Sands' resume enjoys another highlight.

Sands said she's always had a love of art in all its forms — music, dance, painting and sculpture. Exposure to the works of Pablo Picasso and Frida Kahlo inspired her to create art of her own. Self-trained, she experimented and relies on various influences to inspire her work: music, emotions and events going on in her life. When she sits down at her easel, she said she'll play a variety of music and let the atmosphere dictate what goes on the canvas.

"I seldom start from sketches unless it's an idea that I don't want to forget that popped into my head," Sands said. "I call it intuitive painting … whatever happens, happens. ... I can start a painting thinking I am going in one direction, and it can take a 180-degree turn into something else. It can take on its own life with me really not knowing the final outcome."

A single work may take her a week to paint, or it could take a couple of months. To see more of her work, visit nikijsands.com.

What did she learn from doing this piece for the poster?

"That color, movement and a sense of happiness projected onto the canvas is what I want to convey for any type of festival, especially an art festival," she said. "I want young children to understand that art, music and performance is as important in life as basic academics. The most important thing I learned as an artist is I want people to connect to my work."

Today, Sands' paintings can be found in modern galleries as well as on the dais of charitable events, as she's donated various works of art to charitable causes, such as St. Jude and Innovations International Charter School.

Bisterfeldt said hosting the annual art festival is in keeping with The Howard Hughes Corp.'s commitment to making Summerlin a community with a variety of fun and engaging events. She added that part of Downtown Summerlin is being transformed with additional trees, greenery, picnic tables and shade canopies to give it a park-like feel, and "this new location will be a home run for the festival."

More than 100 artists and craftspeople from throughout the southwest are set to showcase and sell original, upscale work at the festival, including paintings, pottery, photography, jewelry and handcrafted pieces made from wood, glass and metal. Children's art activities also are planned, as well as entertainment featuring headliner Clint Holmes, performers from Cirque du Soleil's "Zarkana" and Australian quartet Human Nature. Food will be available for purchase, and food art carving demonstrations are planned. A canned food drive will benefit HomeAid Southern Nevada.

For more information, visit summerlin.com.

— To reach Summerlin Area View reporter Jan Hogan, email jhogan@viewnews.com or call 702-387-2949.