City of Las Vegas Art Commission Meeting - November 20, 2025
City of Las Vegas Art Commission Meeting - November 20, 2025
The City of Las Vegas Art Commission met on November 20, 2025, at an unspecified start time and adjourned at 4:27 PM. Commissioners discussed ongoing public art projects, received staff reports on educational initiatives, and debated the purchase of a sculpture. The meeting was properly noticed and posted in compliance with the Nevada Open Meeting Law, with a quorum present (11 commissioners, 3 excused).
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the regular meeting of October 16, 2025, were approved by voice vote. Commissioner Westfield seconded the motion; Commissioner Von Bastians abstained, noting absence from that meeting. The motion passed with all other commissioners voting aye.
Discussion Items
- Welcome of New Commissioner: Craig Galati introduced himself, sharing that he recently semi-retired and is pursuing a career in art.
- Commissioner Announcements: Commissioner Turk announced the Nevada Arts Council FY26 Teaching Artists Directory, open until December 19, 2025. Chair Beals announced the cancellation of the December 2025 meeting; next meeting is January 15, 2026. Events highlighted include the Tamales and Mariachi Festival (December 6), Crit Chat (December 16), and the unveiling of "The Night We Met" by Crystal Ramirez (January 8, 2026 at 11 AM). Commissioner Douglas added events: artist talk by Brian Martinez (November 21) and a holiday shop on Native American Heritage Day (November 28).
- Staff Report on Current Initiatives: Parker Recki and Laura Machado presented updates. Projects include:
- "Waiting on a Light on the Corner" by David Ryan – under fabrication, completion February 2026.
- AMP Gateway and Arts District project – evaluation panel selected 10 artists; proposals to be presented in January 2026.
- Centennial Hills Park Environmental Tile Mural Project – three artists selected; proposals due end of year, review in January 2026.
- Cliff Garden Studio sculpture – 50% complete, on track for May 2026.
- "The Night We Met" by Crystal Ramirez – installation underway; unveiling January 8, 2026. Commissioner Douglas questioned timing (neon art best viewed at night); Laura Machado explained 11 AM was chosen for media coverage, with a photographer hired for night images.
- Justin Favela project – still contracting, awaiting insurance approvals and three bids; unveiling likely in January 2026.
- Matthew Murphy mural at Mirabelli Community Center – 90% complete, expected completion December 1, 2025, with unveiling TBD.
- Educational Initiatives Report: Laura Machado reviewed the Public Art Education Series, launched in 2022. Since then, 12 events have been held. Upcoming events (December 2025 – June 2026) include Crit Chat sessions, artist talks, and workshops. Commissioners were encouraged to attend.
- Purchase of "Enriched Heritage" by Adolfo Gonzalez: The sculpture, located at 1300 C Street (Ward Five, Summer Armstrong), was installed in January 2024 on loan, extended to January 2026. The community (A Bodo Collective) supports permanent purchase. Purchase price is $35,000 from the Percent for the Arts Fund. Commissioner Portnoy inquired about installment payments; Commissioner Turk noted funds are available. Commissioner Von Bastians requested a condition report before purchase. After a motion to approve was made and seconded, Commissioner Roberts proposed an amendment for a prior condition assessment. The original motion was rescinded, and a motion to table the item to the January 2026 meeting passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Vote to Table: The purchase of "Enriched Heritage" was tabled until the January 15, 2026 meeting, pending a condition report.
- Next Meeting: Canceled for December 2025; next regular meeting January 15, 2026.
- Future Agenda Items: Commissioner Douglas suggested discussing subcommittees (though Commissioner Clevin noted subcommittees were dissolved six months ago). No action taken.
- Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 4:27 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Commissioner Bernard has joined Commissioner Joan DeSanta has joined. Commissioner DeSantis, can you hear me? Yes. Okay, perfect. Our meeting will begin shortly. Thank you. Thank you. And I count call the November twentieth City of Las Vegas Art Commission meeting to order. Would the Deputy City Clerk call the roll, please? Chair Beals. Here. Vice Chair Bednarch. Here. Second Vice Chair Roberts. Here. Commissioner Clevin. Excused. Commissioner Westfield. Commissioner Douglas. Excused. Commissioner DeSantis. Here. Commissioner Cherk. Here. Commissioner Chi. Excused. Commissioner Portnoy. Here. Commissioner Von Bastians. Here. Commissioner Galati. Here. Thank you, Chair. You have a quorum. Thank you so much. And has this meeting been properly noticed and posted in compliance with the Nevada Open Meeting Law? Yes, Chair, it has. Thank you so much. Well, we would like to welcome Mr. Craig Galati to the City of Las Vegas Art Commission. Mr. Galati, would you like to introduce yourself? Thank you very much. I'm really glad to be here. I've been wanting to be on this commission for many years. Just recently semi-retired in July and sold my shares out to my younger partners, helping them out a little bit, but I'm pursuing a career in art. And we'll see how that goes. But I'm enjoying it, so thank you. Thank you so much. Comment during this portion of the agenda must be limited to matters on the agenda for action.
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