OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Las Vegas Arts Commission Meeting - May 21, 2026

Public Meetings — Thursday, May 21, 2026
BodyLas Vegas, Nevada
SessionPublic Meetings
DateThursday, May 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 45:36

Transcript — Verbatim
2:04

I now call the May 21st, 2026 Las Vegas Arts Commission to order.

2:10

With the Deputy Clerk take roll call, please.

2:14

Chair Beals.

2:16

Here.

2:17

Second Vice Chair Roberts.

2:19

Excused.

2:20

Commissioner Clevin.

2:22

Here.

2:23

Commissioner Douglas.

2:25

Excused.

2:26

Commissioner DeSantis.

2:30

Here.

2:31

Commissioner Cherk.

2:33

Here.

2:33

Commissioner Chi.

2:34

Here.

2:35

Commissioner Portnoy.

2:36

Here.

2:37

Commissioner Von Bastians.

2:39

Excused.

2:40

Commissioner Galati.

2:42

Present.

2:42

Commissioner Vitone.

2:44

Here.

2:45

Commissioner Anderson.

2:46

Here.

2:47

Thank you, Chair.

2:48

You have a quorum.

2:50

Thank you, Evet.

2:51

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

2:57

Yes, Chair, it has.

2:58

Thank you so much.

3:00

We're moving on to item number three.

3:03

Public comment.

3:04

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

3:10

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

3:15

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

3:22

Seeing no one out there, we are going to move on to item number four for possible action to approve the final minutes by reference of the regular meeting of April 30th, 2026.

3:37

Do I have a motion to approve?

3:41

Motion approved.

3:44

Okay, thank you.

3:46

All in favor.

4:03

Okay, thank you.

4:46

Curated by Donna Fox and featuring members of the Las Vegas Urban Sketchers.

5:04

to 8 p.m.

5:05

at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, located at 800 South Brush Street.

5:11

Also happening tonight from 4 to 6 p.m.

5:15

is an artist talk and discussion for the Healing the Art Exhibition curated by New Wu Art and Fawn Douglas at the Springs Preserve.

5:25

The conversation will focus on indigenous reciprocity, the environment, and the history of indigenous lands in Southern Nevada.

5:34

A reception will follow, and Fawn invites commissioners and staff to stop by after the Arts Commission meeting.

5:42

For more information about these events, please visit www.artslosvegas.org or call 702-229 Arts.

5:52

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

5:59

This is Commissioner Portnoy.

6:02

On June 4th from 7 30 to 9 30 at Portnoy Gallery, renowned sculptor Michael Blair Davies is doing an exhibit of called Creaction.

6:16

It's a show of selected artworks, slow motion arts.

6:21

It's like going into out of space and things that move and go different directions.

6:30

It's absolutely livening up my gallery.

6:33

So that will be on June 4th from 7 30 to 9 30.

6:36

And there'll be food and drinks, etc.

6:44

This is Sapira.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Arts And Culture█████████████████████████████████████████████64%
Public Engagement████████████17%
Procedural██████9%
Community Engagement████5%
Historic Preservation██3%
Affordable Housing█2%
Summary of Proceedings

Las Vegas Arts Commission Meeting - May 21, 2026

The Las Vegas Arts Commission convened on May 21, 2026, at an unspecified time. Chair Beals called the meeting to order with a quorum present. Roll call showed Commissioners Roberts, Douglas, and Von Bastians excused; all other commissioners present. The Deputy Clerk confirmed proper notice under Nevada Open Meeting Law. The meeting covered approval of previous minutes, staff updates, appointment of a vice chair, discussion of fiscal year 2027 public art projects, and future agenda items.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of Minutes: The final minutes of the April 30, 2026 regular meeting were approved by motion and unanimous vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made during the designated public comment period (Item 3) or the citizens participation period (Item 10).

Announcements & Events

  • Staff promoted two upcoming events: (1) a curated exhibition featuring members of Las Vegas Urban Sketchers from 6 to 8 p.m. at Charleston Heights Arts Center, and (2) an artist talk for "Healing the Art Exhibition" at the Springs Preserve from 4 to 6 p.m., focusing on indigenous reciprocity. Commissioners also announced several events:
    • Commissioner Portnoy: An exhibit by Michael Blair Davies at Portnoy Gallery on June 4th (7:30–9:30 p.m.).
    • Sapira: Opening reception for "Six Ways of Seeing" on May 27th at the Chamber Gallery, and the Nevada Arts Council conference intersecions (May 27–29).
    • Commissioner Batone: "Sisterhood" exhibition at 33 Gallery (June 5–July 31, by appointment).
    • Commissioner Clevin: Live arts dance performances on May 23–24 at West Las Vegas Theater and a Philippine Heritage Dance Society event on May 28 at Charleston Heights Art Center.
    • Commissioner Anderson: A gallery event at Matt Gallery on May 22 for artist Nikki J. Sands (RSVP from 6–7 p.m., public 7–9 p.m.).

Discussion Items

  1. Staff Report – Monthly Summary of Current Initiatives (Item 6)

    • Parker Recky Johns reported on the AMP Gateway and Arts District Public Art Project: five of ten artists have completed cabinets; remaining painting continues through May and June; project on time and within budget. Sasha Rezin completed his portion of the AMP Ward 4 Cheyenne Av project. Work continues on the Arts District Garage Mural Project. Artist Lee Lanier is fabricating panels for a mosaic mural. "Harmonic Ascension" by Cliff Garden Studio was dedicated on May 7th after nearly five years of collaboration.
    • Conservation updates: Routine cleaning of "Radial Symmetry" and work on "Living Black Pillars" by Chase McCarty at Historic West Side Legacy Park. Graffiti abatement ongoing in Arts District. "Snowball in Vegas" cat sculpture removed for repairs and anti-graffiti coating; reinstatement expected in early to mid-June. Slate repair on the Southern Nevada Law Enforcement Memorial. Artist Luis Farillarico signed contract for the Hualapai Canyon Trailhead Environmental Sculpture Project, inspired by Ponderosa Pinecone.
    • An interactive map of the public art collection is now live on the city website.
    • Exhibitions: "Six Ways of Seeing" at City Hall Chamber Gallery through June 18 with a reception May 26 from 5–7 p.m. "Rhythm and Resilience: Black Vegas" at Civic Center Gallery through August 20; expanded hours starting June (Saturdays open).
    • The national call for the Art in Public Places exhibition remains open; out-of-state applicants cover shipping costs.

  2. Appointment of Vice Chair (Item 7)

    • Following the departure of Commissioner Roberts (Ward 6 representative), Sapira nominated Commissioner Terry (likely Terry, a commissioner) for vice chair. Commissioner Portnoy seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Congratulations were extended.

  3. Discussion: Development of Fiscal Year 2027 Percent for the Arts Project List (Item 8)

    • Laura Machado opened a conversation for commissioners to identify community needs or civic goals for public art. Commissioner Chirk suggested using non-conventional city-owned spaces (community centers, rec centers) for temporary exhibitions. Commissioner Portnoy proposed partnering with new sports franchises (Athletics, soccer, women's hockey) to display art in stadiums. Commissioner Roberts advocated for creating artistic nexuses in each ward, telling the story of place through art—e.g., the Hualapai Trail project and Thule Springs area. Commissioner Vitone emphasized preserving history amidst development, particularly in Ward 5. Commissioner Chi urged more marketing and communications to raise awareness. Commissioner Anderson inquired about continued engagement during dark months (July/August); staff clarified commissioners cannot meet as a group without proper notice but may meet in pairs. Laura Machado noted she will follow up with commissioners to develop project ideas for the September meeting.

  4. Topics for Future Agenda Items (Item 9)

    • Commissioners proposed future discussions: (1) how to bring artists back to the Arts District (which has become bar/restaurant dominated), possibly in coordination with Economic & Urban Development; (2) a policy related to AI and the arts. Laura Machado will add these to future agendas. Commissioner Roberts expressed gratitude for his tenure and highlighted achievements (the Las Vegas art map and "Harmonic Ascension" installation).

Key Outcomes

  • The April 30, 2026 minutes were approved.
  • Commissioner Terry was elected vice chair for the commission.
  • Staff will continue to advance ongoing projects (AMP cabinets, Snowball restoration, Hualapai Trailhead sculpture, etc.) and prepare a list of FY27 percent-for-the-art projects for the September annual meeting.
  • The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 18, 2026. The commission will be dark in July and August, with the annual meeting in September.
  • Commissioners will collaborate with Laura Machado and reach out to planning and other departments to explore development incentives for public art.

Meeting Transcript

I now call the May 21st, 2026 Las Vegas Arts Commission to order. With the Deputy Clerk take roll call, please. Chair Beals. Here. Second Vice Chair Roberts. Excused. Commissioner Clevin. Here. Commissioner Douglas. Excused. Commissioner DeSantis. Here. Commissioner Cherk. Here. Commissioner Chi. Here. Commissioner Portnoy. Here. Commissioner Von Bastians. Excused. Commissioner Galati. Present. Commissioner Vitone. Here. Commissioner Anderson. Here. Thank you, Chair. You have a quorum. Thank you, Evet. Has this meeting been properly noticed and posted in compliance with the Nevada Open Meeting Law? Yes, Chair, it has. Thank you so much. We're moving on to item number three. Public comment. Comments during this portion of the agenda must be limited to matters on the agenda for action. If you wish to be heard, please come forward and give your name for the record. The amount of discussion as well as the amount of time any single speaker is allowed may be limited. Seeing no one out there, we are going to move on to item number four for possible action to approve the final minutes by reference of the regular meeting of April 30th, 2026. Do I have a motion to approve? Motion approved. Okay, thank you. All in favor. Okay, thank you. Curated by Donna Fox and featuring members of the Las Vegas Urban Sketchers. to 8 p.m. at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, located at 800 South Brush Street. Also happening tonight from 4 to 6 p.m. is an artist talk and discussion for the Healing the Art Exhibition curated by New Wu Art and Fawn Douglas at the Springs Preserve. The conversation will focus on indigenous reciprocity, the environment, and the history of indigenous lands in Southern Nevada. A reception will follow, and Fawn invites commissioners and staff to stop by after the Arts Commission meeting.

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