OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

City of Las Vegas Art Commission Meeting - January 15, 2026

Public Meetings — Thursday, January 15, 2026
BodyLas Vegas, Nevada
SessionPublic Meetings
DateThursday, January 15, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 32:38

Transcript — Verbatim
1:54

I now call the January 15, 2025 meeting for the City of Las Vegas Art Commission to order.

2:03

Would the deputy city clerk call the roll, please?

2:08

Chair Beals.

2:09

Here.

2:10

Vice Chair Benarchik.

2:12

Here.

2:13

Second, Vice Chair Roberts.

2:15

Excused.

2:16

Commissioner Clevin.

2:18

I'm here.

2:19

Commissioner Westfield.

2:21

Excused.

2:22

Commissioner Douglas.

2:24

Excused.

2:25

Commissioner DeSantis.

2:27

Here.

2:28

Commissioner Chirk.

2:29

Here.

2:29

Commissioner Chi?

2:30

Here.

2:31

Commissioner Portnoy.

2:33

Here.

2:33

Commissioner Von Bastians.

2:35

Here.

2:35

Commissioner Galati.

2:37

Here.

2:37

Thank you, Chair.

2:38

You have a quorum.

2:40

Thank you.

2:41

And item number two.

2:42

Has this meeting been properly noticed and posted in compliance with the Nevada Open Meeting Law?

2:48

Yes, Chair, it has.

2:50

Thank you.

2:51

Moving on to item number three.

2:54

Public comment during this portion of the agenda must be limited to matters on the agenda for action.

3:01

If you wish to be heard, come forward and give your name for the record.

3:05

The amount of discussion as well as the amount of time any given speaker is allowed may be limited.

3:16

I see there is no public comment at this time, so we're moving to item number four for possible action to approve the final minutes by reference of the regular meeting of November twentieth, two thousand twenty-five.

5:01

The event will take place at the corner of 3rd Street in Ogden, where guests can view the artwork up close and hear directly from the artist.

5:10

Join us for a proposal presentation meeting for the Wallapai Canyon Environmental Sculpture Project on Wednesday, February 4th from 2 to 3:30 at the historic 5th Street School.

5:23

Be a part of the process of selecting the award, awarded artist for a new public art project.

5:31

For more information about these events and more departments of parks, recreation, and cultural affairs programming.

5:38

Please visit www.artslasvegas.org or call 702-229 arts.

5:47

Do any commissioners have additional events or happenings they would like to mention?

5:52

Yes, this is a Commissioner Portnoy.

5:55

I have a couple events which are coming up.

6:08

And featured entertainment will be Barry Manilow's music director, Joey Mulati will be on Keith.

6:15

Also coming up April 9th through the 14th.

6:25

We'll be on exhibition at West Trofton Library from April 9th through the 14th, 2026.

6:40

If there's no one else, this is Commissioner Cherk, thank you.

6:43

Um, just want to share two opportunities from the Nevada Arts Council.

6:48

The first one is the project grant for organizations.

6:50

If you're a nonprofit organizations andor public institution looking for funding for an arts project for um fiscal year 27, the application is currently open for a grant for $7,000 with a uh one-to-one match.

7:08

The application is currently open and will close at February 3rd at 5 p.m.

7:13

For more information, please visit nvartscouncil.org.

7:16

Um, the second opportunity is that uh the Nevada Arts Council is also looking for a portrait painter to paint the governor's portrait.

7:26

Um, the can this contract is for 40,000, and uh more information is also available on nvartscouncil.org.

7:33

Thank you.

7:38

Thank you.

7:40

If there is there anyone else who wants to make sure.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Arts And Culture█████████████████████████████████████████████76%
Procedural██████████████24%
Summary of Proceedings

City of Las Vegas Art Commission Meeting - January 15, 2026

The Las Vegas Art Commission convened on January 15, 2026, with Chair Beals presiding and a quorum present. The meeting was properly noticed and posted in compliance with the Nevada Open Meeting Law. The commission approved the purchase of a public artwork, accepted a donation of four artworks, and received updates on numerous public art projects and design proposals.

Consent Calendar

  • The commission approved the final minutes of the November 20, 2025 regular meeting by reference. No public comment was received.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public offered testimony during the agenda item for public comment on agenda matters.

Commissioner & Staff Event Announcements

  • Commissioner Portnoy announced upcoming events: Barry Manilow's music director Joey Mulati performing, and an exhibition at West Trofton Library from April 9–14, 2026.
  • Commissioner Cherk shared two opportunities from the Nevada Arts Council: a project grant for organizations (up to $7,000 with a 1:1 match, applications due February 3, 2026 at 5 p.m.) and a request for a portrait painter for the governor's portrait (contract $40,000).

Staff Reports & Project Updates

  • Laura Machado reported that the "Waiting on a Light" installation by David Ryan is being installed that week, with a public opening on Groundhog's Day, February 2, 2026 at 10 a.m. at the southwest corner of Ogden and Third Street.
  • The Gateway and Arts District Public Art Project has finalized its artist, who will present proposals later in the meeting.
  • The AMP board for the Cheyenne Ave Public Art Project is under review by the councilwoman and staff.
  • Mary Sabo reported that the "Boulder Plaza Sculpture Project – The Seed by CR2" is still in progress, with engineering documents under review by Building and Safety.
  • Parker Reckee reported that the evaluation panel for the Centennial Hills Park Environmental Tile Mural Project is meeting to select an artist, with selection expected by the end of January 2026.
  • Laura Machado noted that the Cliff Garden Studio project is at 50% completion, with installation scheduled for the end of April 2026 and a dedication in early May 2026.
  • Crystal Ramirez's piece "The Night We Met" was officially dedicated and is now part of the public art collection.
  • Conservation and maintenance work includes securing funding for general collection maintenance and graffiti abatement, and routine cleaning of "Radial Symmetry."
  • The Here's Park Tile Mural Project received proposals from a directly selected artist in December 2025, currently under review.
  • Parker Recy announced a proposal presentation for the Wallapai Canyon Trailhead Environmental Public Art Project on February 4, 2026 from 2:00–3:30 p.m.
  • Holly Lay reported that Justin's contract is being finalized, installation likely moved to May 2026.
  • Medical district projects are moving forward with Luis Ferrellarico, and Wayne will install next month; an event is scheduled for February 20, 2026 from 10–11 a.m.
  • Mary Sabo noted that the Mirabelli Community Center Mural Project "Find Your Wings" by Matthew Murphy is now complete, with an unveiling ceremony in early December 2025.

Design Proposals for AMP Gateway District and 18B Arts District Utility Boxes

  • Staff presented design proposals for utility box murals from ten artists at various locations in the Arts District. The artists and their concepts included:
    • Shan Michael Evans (Industrial and Wyoming): colorful geometric flowers.
    • Andrea Pavless (Oakey and Las Vegas Boulevard): lemons and cherries referencing slot machines.
    • Mato Hughes (St. Louis and Las Vegas Boulevard): red-tailed hawk, coyote, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and desert plants.
    • Samir Asnani (St. Louis and Paradise): gateway arches, Strat, showgirl, and gaming symbols.
    • Bonnie Kelso (Bob Stupak and Las Vegas Boulevard): faceless monochromatic avian creatures in vivid hues.
    • Nathaniel Benjamin (California Avenue and Commerce): designs exploring textures, "many feet one path," and symbols of connection.
    • Artist at California Avenue near a Mexican restaurant: Loteria card motifs (El Corazón, La Calavera).
    • Miguel Hernandez (California Avenue): 3D barrel cactus with vibrant flowers.
    • Giovanni Uranda (California Avenue at You or Me): clown-themed "Sweet Treats."
    • Mila May (California Avenue at Ms. Cala): playful circuit board patterns and smiling faces.
  • The commission thanked the evaluation panelists: Commissioner Von Bastians, Ido Youruturalde, Lyle Wilcox, Stasia Fisher, and David Renan. No action was taken; the presentation was for information.

Key Outcomes

  • Purchase of "Enriched Heritage" by Adolfo Gonzalez: The commission voted unanimously to purchase the sculpture for $35,000 from the Percent for the Arts Fund. The sculpture, originally installed in January 2024 as a temporary loan, has been cleaned and repainted. Annual maintenance is minimal (soap and water). The foundation and anchorage were approved by a Nevada licensed engineer and rated to last more than 10 years. The artwork will become part of the city's permanent collection, located at 1300 C Street (Ward 5).
  • Acceptance of Donation by Linda Alterwitz: The commission voted unanimously to accept the donation of four artworks—"Ruby's Pool," "Parking Lot Pano," "Hammergren Pano," and "Liberace"—into the city's permanent collection with no fiscal impact. The pieces were previously on loan and are in good condition. They will be installed on the fourth floor in the finance department.
  • Future Agenda Items: Commissioner Portnoy suggested a future report from parking services, though it was noted this may not fall under the commission's purview. No further action was taken.

Adjournment

  • The meeting was adjourned at approximately [time not specified].

Meeting Transcript

I now call the January 15, 2025 meeting for the City of Las Vegas Art Commission to order. Would the deputy city clerk call the roll, please? Chair Beals. Here. Vice Chair Benarchik. Here. Second, Vice Chair Roberts. Excused. Commissioner Clevin. I'm here. Commissioner Westfield. Excused. Commissioner Douglas. Excused. Commissioner DeSantis. Here. Commissioner Chirk. Here. Commissioner Chi? Here. Commissioner Portnoy. Here. Commissioner Von Bastians. Here. Commissioner Galati. Here. Thank you, Chair. You have a quorum. Thank you. And item number two. Has this meeting been properly noticed and posted in compliance with the Nevada Open Meeting Law? Yes, Chair, it has. Thank you. Moving on to item number three. Public comment during this portion of the agenda must be limited to matters on the agenda for action. If you wish to be heard, come forward and give your name for the record. The amount of discussion as well as the amount of time any given speaker is allowed may be limited. I see there is no public comment at this time, so we're moving to item number four for possible action to approve the final minutes by reference of the regular meeting of November twentieth, two thousand twenty-five. The event will take place at the corner of 3rd Street in Ogden, where guests can view the artwork up close and hear directly from the artist. Join us for a proposal presentation meeting for the Wallapai Canyon Environmental Sculpture Project on Wednesday, February 4th from 2 to 3:30 at the historic 5th Street School. Be a part of the process of selecting the award, awarded artist for a new public art project. For more information about these events and more departments of parks, recreation, and cultural affairs programming. Please visit www.artslasvegas.org or call 702-229 arts. Do any commissioners have additional events or happenings they would like to mention? Yes, this is a Commissioner Portnoy. I have a couple events which are coming up. And featured entertainment will be Barry Manilow's music director, Joey Mulati will be on Keith. Also coming up April 9th through the 14th. We'll be on exhibition at West Trofton Library from April 9th through the 14th, 2026. If there's no one else, this is Commissioner Cherk, thank you.

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