Longtime local artist heads for new pastures

She's been a staple in the Las Vegas art scene since she was 17, and now she'll make her mark in a new city for the first time in her career.

Jennifer Main, professional artist and Las Vegas native, plans to hold one last annual holiday party from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at her gallery, 5333 Arville St., before making the move to Los Angeles.

"It's a big risk," Main, 30, said of her move. "But I want to change things up."

Main opened her own gallery in 2009 and has seen a lifelong dream come to fruition since. She hosts a holiday party open to the public in the gallery every year, selecting a different charity each time to benefit from attendees' donations.

This year, Main chose Baby's Bounty, a nonprofit organization that provides basic necessities to disadvantaged infants and young children. In exchange for a pack of infant diapers, Main will provide guests with a coupon from Santa's stocking good for purchases on items such as T-shirts, prints and her 2012 calendar in the gallery.

Main said the annual holiday party provides the opportunity to give back not only to a local charity but also to her supporters.

"This is the time I like to give back to customers and collectors," Main said. "This is usually the one time during the year where people get to see the gallery in person. This time will be special, too, since I'm moving to L.A."

This year's party also holds significance, Main said, because her husband, Jason Steiner, will premiere his artwork. Steiner previously did custom engraving for motorcycles throughout the world, but he has recently taken to painting and will reveal some of his first works Saturday.

"It's a different expression and different media from what I've done before," said Steiner, who also doubles as Main's gallery manager. "I hope to work with Jennifer and do my art on the side when we're in California."

Though the move to Los Angeles will be a big change for the couple, Main has plans to stay connected with her Las Vegas fans in a unique way.

"I'd like to have a video-based type gallery where I can chat with people and show videos of creating (my artwork) as it comes along," Main said. "I'm comfortable having people watch me paint. I'd like to have a weekly blog, get feedback from people and get everyone involved."

Fans in the valley will also have the chance to keep a piece of Main with them. Because she is downsizing both her living and gallery space in California, Main will auction new and original pieces during the holiday party. She said auctioning her original paintings is one way to give back to her supporters before starting a new journey.

"I want to be able to continue to grow and branch out," Main said. "The people who have collected my work over the years want to see me grow, too. This (auction) is a great way to get an original at a much lower price, and I'd rather have these (paintings) in people's homes than to put them in storage."

Main plans to return to Las Vegas at least four times each year and hopes to host her same annual holiday party. In addition to owning a gallery in L.A., Main hopes to run a successful online store, selling the same products she does today, such as T-shirts, posters and bags. She also wants to open a brick-and-mortar retail location eventually.

No matter what happens, Main said she is prepared for a positive change.

"I want to have the opportunity to create new work," Main said. "I know my inspirations will change with a new environment and new exposure. I think taking on new challenges and risks will force me to grow."

For more information or to RSVP for Main's holiday party, call 586-3133 or visit jennifermaingallery.com.

Contact Paradise/Downtown View reporter Lisa Carter at lcarter@viewnews.com or 383-0492.