CULTURE: One last look around, art lovers

  This economy’s a vulture and as of Saturday, it eats a piece of Vegas culture when the Las Vegas Art Museum opens its doors to the public for the final time until ... whenever.
  Folding in the face of stark financial realities, the museum goes into what it calls “hibernation” after a difficult few months. Ex-Executive Director Libby Lumpkin resigned in December — replaced by Alex Codlin — over a decision by the museum board to slash the operating budget by 30 percent, shrinking salaries and making layoffs a likelihood after two employees had already been axed.
  Its final bow is the now-truncated exhibition “L.A. Now” — originally scheduled to run through April 11 — spotlighting emerging artists out of Los Angeles, curated by David Pagel. It was the Las Vegas debut for all the artists, including Olivia Booth, Miles Coolidge, Christine Nyugen, Jared Pankin and Wayne White.
  You can take one last loving look around from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $6; $5 for seniors, $3 for students with ID, and free for those under 12. The LVAM is at the West Sahara Library at 9600 W. Sahara Ave., and the phone number is 360-8000.
  As of Saturday, to sort of borrow a phrase: “Painting is such sweet sorrow.”