Artwork courtesy of Dray Wilmore

The Las Vegas Arts District

BY CAROLYN MUSE GRANT

The Arts District in Las Vegas has been around for many years and over that time changes have been made and local artists have come and gone. We have been so fortunate to have so many wonderfully talented artists in the area. And, we feel lucky to share four extremely talented ones with you in this edition of Chic Compass. You get to meet Deana Khoshhaba, Alexander Huerta, Phyllis Pezzella, and Dray Wilmore. Phyllis invited me to come down and meet her and the other artists and it was a most wonderful experience.

As I met them and the stories came out I realized I had met Dray years ago when he was a participant in other galleries I had known with several other artists. Twenty years ago he moved here from Los Angeles and got established as a local artist. He did move around with some other talented folks but is settled in the Arts District now. Of this group, he was the first to be a Las Vegan!

Photograph of Dray Wilmore

Dray (pictured above) is an internationally recognized and published painter best known for his large scale murals, musical themed abstract canvases and colorful portraits of beautiful women. His work has been exhibited at the Marjorie Barrick Museum at UNLV and is in the permanent collection of Nevada State College and the Historic Museum of Nevada. His art has been featured in music videos and documentaries.

Photograph of Mural by Dray Wilmore

He was one of the first local artists to live and work in the Downtown Las Vegas Arts District. Highly regarded by veterans of the Vegas Visual Arts scene for his efforts in helping cultivate the cultural zone that now plays host to the monthly First Friday festivals. He has served on the First Friday advisory committee. He moved here from Los Angeles. (draystudio.com)

Photograph of Alexander P Huerta

Alex (pictured at right and below) is a “mixed media artist”, and is seen around town at a lot of events promoting his work and ideas about our great artists. He’s been a resident of Las Vegas for 35 years and started working at Harrahs Casino for his first 13 years. His first real exposure to art was through Picasso paintings It inspired him to begin his new life. He began painting in 1996 and started his studio, PeaceNart Studio in 2008. He is now a long term “resident” of the Arts District. Alex also wanted to say that he considers Dray his mentor and that Dray helped him get started as an artist.
(alexphuerta@yahoo.com)

Photograph of Alexander P Huerta with Artwork

Phyllis Pezzella

Phyllis, known to some as Tizzeey, has been inspired by the arts for her entire life.

“I was a shy child attempting to connect, with the outside world and it was father’s youngest sister who happened to be an Illustrator for Hallmark cards that I quickly bonded with at an early age. And through her instruction, painting I thought at that time was more than a form of “creative expression” but a “need.“

Painting by Phyllis Pezzella

She lived in Boston and moved here to Vegas several years ago. She does not have a gallery in the Arts District but knows the artists and does participate in events. “I have been inspired by many artists over the years, but it is “Frida Kahlo”, who humbles met the most, with her uncanny ability to paint and question “truths,” and “identity.” She inspires to never question my artistic expression, which is not only to just paint a picture but to go beyond the unseen and paint to express my “inner child” and that of my subject as well.”

Photograph of Phyllis Pezzella

In 1983 Phyllis graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in none other than, Business Administration. As she said,“ I never lost interest in arts, I just thought it would only, be my “hobby” and I would never develop it into, a “ life” purpose.” (www.tizzeey.com)

Artwork by Phyllis Pezzella

Deana Khoshaba

Deana (pictured below) moved to Las Vegas from Chicago. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology but after personal experiences, she decided that art was what she wanted to do. “It was more a spiritual imperative than a choice. I needed to paint. After years of meandering, I surrendered to my calling and delved headfirst into painting. I have been painting seriously for about six-years and continue to study.”

So for the last six years that has been her “life”. And three and a half years ago she moved here to Las Vegas and has a great studio here in the Arts District. She considers her true self an artist – born as an artist but she said, “you can get sidetracked or diverted from your true path – then you find it – like a homecoming – like a pair of shoes and it fits comfortably.”
(www.deanakhoshaba.com)

Deana Khoshaba

In my conversation with all of the artists, it was evident to them that Las Vegas is changing. Deana added, “it’s about relationships – for a moment or a lifetime. Anytime you converse with someone – every time you’re in an interview or if someone is making a documentary -here at the Arts District is like a store for everyone to see. “

All of the artists agree that people come to Vegas for Vegas, but they are looking for other things. As Alex said, “People who love art know it’s here, and they come to find it.” They all agreed that it allows them to send their work out into the world, and that a lot of people are coming in to see what they provide.

Dray, Alex and Phyllis all agree with Deana and express that there’s more than gambling in Vegas. “We all try to let people know we’re here.” And while Phyllis doesn’t have a studio at the Arts Factory she is still very involved with the artists.

They were all very excited about a new adventure. First Friday, of course, has been around for many years, and Dray was very involved in its start. But the artists have started a new event. Every Sunday they have an art event at the Arts District outside at the entries. They provide a DJ and invite artists to come and paint. They believe that artists cannot disappear and being right here keeps it creative.

Pictured above from left: Dray, Deana, Phyllis, and Alex

Everyone is invited – complete novices – seasoned artists – established ones – and they have all previously participated. They all season and mentor new ones – enabling them to find their passion.

Alex and Dray did mention that there are several galleries on the Strip, featuring local artists.

“It shows how much of a community we are and how much less competitive we are than artists in New York.”

They all agreed also that as close as the Arts District is to downtown, they love to have people come any time. They all say they can be there painting until around 10 at night and love to have people come in and “watch them paint”.

It was a wonderful experience getting to know these very talented artists. It makes us all appreciate how much talent we have here in Las Vegas, and how lucky we are to have them. They are a great asset to our community.