Downtown emerging as epicenter for performing, cultural, visual arts

In a watershed moment for the cultural landscape of Las Vegas, Symphony Park broke ground in April 2008. Now that the Smith Center for the Performing Arts is nearing completion at Symphony Park, the downtown neighborhood is emerging as the epicenter of the city's performing arts. Just a few short blocks from the Smith Center is the 18b Arts District, home to the Arts Factory and dozens of small galleries that showcase the city's visual arts community. Together, the Smith Center for the Performing Arts and the 18b Arts District are nurturing culture within our valley.

Scheduled to open on March 10, 2012, the Smith Center is a world-class performing arts center designed by architect David M. Schwarz. The $470 million, five-acre facility includes the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall, complete with stunning balconies, a dramatic stage and a full orchestra pit capable of seating as many as 100 musicians; the 300-seat cabaret theater ideal for intimate jazz and cabaret performances; and the 200-seat studio theater, suitable for rehearsals, children's theater and community events. Each theater is meticulously designed to provide optimal sightlines and refined acoustics.

The Broadway Las Vegas Series launches the Smith Center's first season with productions of "The Color Purple," "Mary Poppins," "Million Dollar Quartet" and "Memphis." These exceptional shows join the ranks of the previously announced "Wicked, "which will open he Smith Center's first full-length season in August 2012. The center also houses two of Southern Nevada's finest performing arts companies, Nevada Ballet Theatre and the Las Vegas Philharmonic. In addition, the Smith Center will host first-run theatrical productions, international dance troupes and concerts via a "designer" series that allows patrons to select the shows they want to see.

In late 2012, the Lied Discovery Children's Museum will relocate to the Smith Center as the Discovery Children's Museum. The institution's new 58,000-square-foot, three-story facility will include temporary and permanent hands-on exhibits exploring science, art, culture and early childhood development, as well as programming and workshop spaces.

Four other downtown cultural centers and museums enable visitors to explore everything from the city's prehistoric beginning to its atomic era and mob history.

Located at 300 Stewart Ave., the 41,000-square-foot Mob Museum opens Feb. 14, 2012. It presents an exciting and authentic view of the mob's impact on Las Vegas history and its unique imprint on the world. With tales so intriguing they need no embellishment, the museum reveals an insider's look at the events and people on both sides of this continuing battle. True stories of mob history will be brought to life in a bold and contemporary style via engaging exhibits and multisensory experiences.

The Nevada State Museum moves to the Springs Preserve this month. The 13,000-square-foot permanent exhibit gallery offers an interactive visitor experience that interprets the history of Nevada, spanning millions of years.

The Las Vegas Natural History Museum is located at 900 Las Vegas Blvd. North. The museum features an array of visiting and permanent exhibits including Treasure of Egypt, "Engelstad Family Prehistoric Life Gallery, International Wildlife Gallery, Las Vegas Founders' African Galleries, E.L. Wiegand Foundation, Wild Nevada Gallery, Marine Life Gallery, Geology Gallery and The Pharaoh's Tomb.

The Neon Museum is preserving the history of Las Vegas through its accumulation and preservation of many of the city's iconic signs. The museum's Neon Boneyard is not yet open to the public, but is available for prearranged tours by calling 702-387-NEON. Many of the museum's refurbished historic signs can be seen downtown, including the Hacienda Horse and Rider, Aladdin's Lamp and The Flame -- all located at Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard. It is already a popular spot for magazine, rock band and bridal photo shoots.

The 18b Arts District, bordered by Commerce Street, Hoover Avenue, Fourth Street, Las Vegas Boulevard and Colorado Avenue, features numerous art galleries and a growing number of artist studios and art-related businesses. At the heart of the 18b Arts District is the Arts Factory. Located in a rehabbed 50-year-old warehouse at 107 E. Charleston Blvd., the Arts Factory features more than two dozen galleries and businesses and offers a variety of regular community events including musical concerts, poetry readings, outdoor film screenings and festivals.

Also located throughout the Arts District are stand-alone galleries. One such gallery is the award-winning Brett Wesley Gallery that presents internationally recognized and widely celebrated artists.

Owner Brett W. Sperry says, "Our goal at the Brett Wesley Gallery is to expose people to great art that entertains, amuses and enriches their life. It is our desire to share the unique power of art, the joy of ownership and the enduring value of owning original works. We're proud to be located downtown in the heart of the arts district; with exciting new developments all the time, it's becoming more dynamic every day."

On Fremont Street, the Fremont Medical Building has been renovated as Emergency Arts. A creative collective, Emergency Arts houses film, TV and commercial production companies, working artist studios, art galleries, hairstylists, clothing designers, tattoo artists, photographers and dark rooms, musicians, yoga studios, writers, dancers and other creative genres.

One of the founding tenants at Emergency Arts, Michael Patrick Thieme, owner of Mikel Patrik Gallery, says, "I continue to be amazed by the synergy and excitement about Fremont East redevelopment.  During my recent travels across the U.S., from California to Florida, I make it a point to tell people that I am a practicing artist who lives and works in Las Vegas.  My goal is to maintain my downtown roots while focusing on educating everyone I meet -- from national TV show producers, to gallery owners, to NPR radio hosts -- that Vegas will be known for more than just the Strip; it will be known also for its art, talent and culture."