February Third Thursday Revisited

Another wonderful celebration of creativity in the Heart of the Water Street District. Art, music, galleries, a little bit of everything. Many familiar faces and always a few new ones. Mark your calendars for March Third Thursday (18th). It'll be here before you know it. Check out the entire body of photos from February on the Henderson Art Association Facebook fan page:

Facebook | Henderson Art Association

Third Thursday This Week in Henderson

Join us in the heart of the Water Street District tomorrow evening, February 18th, for another Third Thursday Celebration. Starts at 5:00 pm. Goes till 8:00. If the weather and turnout are great, maybe even 9:00. Mark your calendars for future events and learn more here:

http://www.waterstreetdistrict.com/experience

http://hendersonlive.com/calendar2010

As One Door Closes, Another Opens.

For once in a long while, I actually have the time and capacity to sit and construct a post that's not about short-term events, like an upcoming show, artist's reception, or monthly meeting, but about the long-term viability of arts and culture in the region. And, judging from what's going on right now, there's plenty to talk about.

One day (last Wednesday) I'm reading an article in the LV Sun about the shuttering of the Ritz-Carlton (YES! THE RITZ-CARLTON!) at Montelago Village. The Ritz-Carlton doesn't close. That's like the mailman not delivering or the Sun not rising. It simply doesn't happen. Yet, apparently, it does.

Link: Closing of Ritz-Carlton at Lake Las Vegas raises concerns of ripple effect - Las Vegas Sun

The very next day, however, I'm reading about the construction of The Smith Center at Symphony Park—a $245 million construction project currently underway (I've seen the backhoes and cranes with my own eyes) slated for completion by the end of 2011 and open to the public by spring 2012.

Link: Las Vegas Weekly : Inside the Smith Center

One (the tragedy) is situated miles from The Strip, near one of two lakes which may very well go the way of the R-C if our reclamation efforts continue to come up...uh...dry. The other (the love story) takes place a little to the north of Vegas proper but smack dab in the middle of the ongoing redevelopment and imminent revitalization. Alas, there is hope, for some of us, for many of us, for all of us.

So I'm forced to remind myself (and all of you), for every glimpse of despair, there is a flicker of hope. For every cry of disappointment, there is a shout of encouragement. For every admission of defeat, there is a harbinger of victory.

There was a time when I may have thought twice about mentioning the revitalization of one city (Las Vegas) in the same breath as that of another (Henderson), for fear of upsetting those who may support and participate in the art circles of one, versus the other. Well, those days are gone, as are the days of artists expecting to be wildly successful operating on their own. Don't get me wrong. It can happen. But it's harder, it will take longer, and the tales of prosperity beyond our wildest dreams will remain few and far between. The only way for the revitalization of any or all of our communities to actually succeed is for the communities themselves and the artists within them to come together.

The change that we seek will not come if we're not optimistic. It also will not come if we're not active and proactive. Follow us here on the HAA blog or on our FB fan page ( Facebook | Henderson Art Association ). Let us know what's going on in the arts communities, near and far. Share the links with your friends and get people to join or volunteer their time. Whatever you do, don't remain complacent or huddled up in your studio waiting for things to change on their own or at the hands of a few others, 'cause that's never gonna happen.

Take a look at some of these links that show the ongoing and future promise of a vibrant art and culture community:

http://www.firstfriday-lasvegas.org/

http://www.18b.org/

http://www.symphonypark.com/

http://themissionlasvegas.com/

http://www.meetup.com/themissionlasvegas/

Gibson Library 2.0

http://www.hendersonlive.com

http://www.artfest.com

http://www.waterstreetdistrict.com/

HAA February General Meeting

Mark your calendars and join HAA members and fellow artists for our general meeting Tuesday evening, February 16th. 7:00-8:30 pm at Findlay Toyota, located at 7733 Eastgate Rd. in Henderson, NV.

Renowned artist Colin Pringle will be the guest speaker.

January HAA General Meeting Kicks off 2010 With a Bang.

Artist Joseph Watson shares work and creative expertise with a riveted audience of fellow artists at our January HAA general meeting.

If you're a member of the HAA (or not) and you missed out January meeting, you missed something special. The torrential downpours and flash flooding understandably kept a few of you away but for those intrepid enough to make the trip, it was a special evening. HAA President Deb Mays kicked things off with a list of successes in 2009 and upcoming events for the new year. Andrew Maioli talked a little about the Red Competition which was a resounding success. Then HAA First Vice President Wendy Rountree took the floor to introduce HAA Outside Venues Coordinator Sharon Menary, also our first and featured curtain raiser on the evening. The curtain raiser spot is designed to allow one artist to talk about their work for a few minutes as a precursor to the guest speaker. Sharon took it a step further, opening up and sharing with all of us an abridged version of her colorful life story and everything that has ever inspired her to be the wonderful artist she is today. It was truly a delight to hear. Photos were taken but the light was low and the camera was a little shaky, so you'll just have to go to her site to see the self portrait that was on display by her side and the contents of the several "brag books" she brought with her. Her advice to every artist? Take your art. Make copies. Put them in your brag book. Then, yes, brag. Do so with passion and humility.

Sharon's story was met with a thunderous round of applause. She was a tough act to follow but, rest assured, guest speaker and multi-talented artist Joseph Watson rose to the occasion. Once the UStream feed was set up properly so his lecture could be broadcast live over the web (a first for the HAA), he began. From then on, the story of his rise from humble beginnings as an airbrush artist to his current concept art and licensing successes had us all fully engaged.

Thank you, Sharon and Joseph, for sharing your experiences with us. In large part to your stories, it was an evening not soon to be forgotten. Special thanks also the HAA Board, Georgia Lawson for collecting funds and conducting the 50-50 raffle, members of Club Sport Green Valley for attending and extending a warm welcome to artists at your facility, and to everyone in attendance. Looking forward to February.

Become a fan on our Facebook fan page and keep up with the Henderson and LV arts communities.

Facebook | Henderson Art Association

HAA Red Competition Winners Announced

The Red Competition has been judged and winners were announced this past Thursday (3rd Thursday) during a wonderful awards reception. Award recipients listed below with credits. The show will continue to hang through March 16th on the second floor of the Meridian Building on Water Street in Henderson, NV. Photos have also been posted to the Facebook HAA fan page (Facebook | Henderson Art Association). Follow us there and invite any and all artists, friends, organizations, and advocates of creativity, near and far, to support, join, or just occasionally check us out.

Best of Show: Yoko Kondo Konopik "In The Air" (right)

1st Place: Vina Curtis "Red Pears"

2nd Place: Yoko Kondo Konopik "Time" (left)

3rd Place: Georgia Lawson "Red Barron" (top)

Honorable Mention: Jay Jarrett "A Little More Action Please"

Honorable Mention: Colin Pringle "European Rose"

Honorable Mention: Andrew Maioli "Mojave of the Soul"

Henderson Art Association now live on Facebook.

Check out the fan page. Become a fan. Tell your friends. Get involved. Come to meetings. Become a member. Pay your dues. Make donations. Buy t-shirts. Share your work. Take part in the guest speaker series. Support your fellow artists. Share news from your community. Make 2010 the year of creativity that it should be.

Facebook | Henderson Art Association

HAA Artist Closes Out 2009 With Yet Another Sale

Jelly Bean Jungle

March Maddness

HAA artist Sharon Menary, photographed by fellow HAA artist Nicky Watts

On the heels of her recent sale of Jelly Bean Jungle to an unlikely buyer, Henderson Art Association member and Events Coordinator Sharon Menary has done it again. This time, it's her painting March Maddness which caught the eye of another random suitor.

Two friends who happened to be at J & S Motors automotive repair shop, where Menary's work was on display, took a liking to the painting and one who lives in Washington actually made the purchase. It currently has a home in Arizona. There's more to the story. There always is. If you want to hear it, contact Sharon and see more of her work at her site: sharonmenary.com

Menary and both of her recently sold paintings are shown above. May 2010 be a great year for all of us.

LV Artist Joseph Watson Confirmed as third speaker in HAA Guest Speaker Series

Join us Tuesday, January 19th, as renowned painter and concept artist Joseph Watson kicks off our 2010 Henderson Art Association Guest Speaker Series at our January general meeting. Joseph is the third speaker in our series and will share his work and experiences as a successful commercial artist. He grew up in Gardena, CA, a small city south of Los Angeles, surrounded by many non-traditional art forms. Watson considers himself fortunate enough to learn the aesthetics of great street art as well as those of traditional art, and aims to please both crowds with his work. No doubt, he will please our audience at our general meeting one week from tomorrow. His work may be viewed at either of these two links:

www.josephwatsoncollection.com

www.hyena-empire.com

This general meeting (and all future HAA meetings) will be held on the third Tuesday of each month, from 7:00-8:30 pm, at Findlay Toyota located at 7733 Eastgate Rd. in Henderson, NV, unless otherwise specified. There will be no general meeting the months of July, August, and December. For further details and a complete list of dates, please revisit this earlier post:

First HAA General Meeting of the Decade Set for Tuesday, January 19th.

HAA Red Competition Deadline is Looming.

In fact, it's tomorrow, January 11th. Only the first 40 pieces entered can be shown, due to limited space and this one's for HAA members only. The theme is the color red. The rest of the details are contained in the above jpeg but, understandably, may be too small to read. Try clicking on it to bring up a larger version. Contact Andrew Maioli for all details by email: atmaioli@yahoo.com

December Third Thursday Revisited

Took me a while to get these photos up. Thanks for your patience. January's started off busy and that's the way we like it. January Third Thursday (the 21st) will be here before you know it. Check out these wonderful images from December's Third Thursday, provided by photographer and ARTsWALK founder Susanne Reese. Chalk art, Madcap Mythmakers, some talented young artists, familiar faces, and a few new ones. It's all there.

First HAA General Meeting of the Decade Set for Tuesday, January 19th.

The new year is here. A new decade is here. With both come renewed outlooks and fresh perspectives. The first general meeting of the HAA for 2010 has been set and will take place in our newly dedicated meeting space at Findlay Toyota in Henderson, 7733 Eastgate Rd, Henderson, NV, 2nd floor. All future HAA meetings will be held at this space unless otherwise indicated. Mark you calendars and feel free to bring any friends or art lovers along for support.

Starting this month, there will be a 10-15 minute artist Curtain Raiser followed by the third speaker in our HAA Guest Speaker Series, HAA member Joseph Watson. Details to come. If the last two speakers are any indication, this too will be great and you won't want to miss it. See 2009 HAA speaker recaps here: 

Creative Henderson: General Meeting A Resounding Success: Guest Speaker. Cookies. Double Dose of Goodness.

Creative Henderson: Preston. General Meeting. Huge Success.

Future meeting dates for the entire 2010 calendar year have been set. With the exceptions of July, August, and December (months during which there will be no general meetings), HAA general meetings will take place from 7:00 to 8:30 pm on the Third Tuesday of the month at the above-mentioned location. Dates are as follows:

January 19

February 16

March 16

April 20

May 18

June 15

July (No Meeting)

August (No Meeting)

September 21

October 19

November 16

December (No Meeting)

Have a Wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year

A warm Christmas greeting and holiday wish from HAA member Nabila Khanam (featuring her lovely granddaughter). Her sentiments are echoed by the rest of us. 2010 marks the beginning of a new decade. Here's hoping it brings with it much joy and prosperity.

Join us this evening for an artists reception at the Meridian Building (155 Water Street) and the usual line-up of wonderful family activities surrounding the Henderson Events Plaza in the heart of the Water Street District.

The Meridian Building is located at 155 South Water Street in Henderson, NV.

See photos from last month's celebration here:

Creative Henderson: November Third Thursday Revisited

Reminder: Winterfest in Henderson Starts Thursday, December 10th.

See the previous post with more details here:

Henderson 2009 Winterfest Is Almost Here.

Visit either of these sites for a full list and schedule of events:

Henderson Live WinterFest Celebration

cityofhenderson.com/winterfest

November Third Thursday Revisited

Photos courtesy of HAA members Susanne Reese and Nabila Khanam.

Each month artists unite in the heart of the Water Street District to provide art education outreach for ARTsWALK families and Boys and Girls Clubs of Henderson, NV. November's Third Thursday celebration was especially memorable. As it took place just over two weeks ago on the 19th, Santa descended upon southern Nevada and graced all children, patrons, and art lovers with his presence.

Susanne Reese, founder of the ARTsWALK, and many other dedicated artists and vendors hosted 50 children in and around the Henderson Events Plaza and the Gibson Library. There was supervised chalk art, visitors created their own magical wooden turkeys, and a lively reception to debut a newly-hung artists' show was being held at the same time, right up the street at the Meridian building. Despite the falling temperatures and the sun setting a little earlier each day, the crowds were out in full effect and a good time was had by all.

Special thanks to Miley Achievement Center for helping visitors decorate their Water Street District bags, to Charity League mothers and daughters for hosting art pages and handing out the monthly WSD art lesson packets, to Blue Star Mothers who helped children write letters to the men and women who are proudly serving our country. Thanks also to Sue, Andre, Beth, Jackie, and all others who were there to help visitors be as creative and involved as possible.

Storytellers Madcap Mythmakers will be a part of future Third Thursday celebrations. December Third Thursday (17th) will be here before you know it and Winterfest kicks off this week. Revisit that post here:

Henderson 2009 Winterfest Is Almost Here.

Mark your calendars and check in early and often here to find out what's coming up next.

See all photos on our Facebook fan page: Facebook | Henderson Art Association

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait. (Even In An Economy As Slow As This.)

Had someone told artist Sharon Menary that she'd be making a fantastic sale to a relatively new and unestablished connection in the middle of one of the worst economies in recent history, she probably would have laughed and turned the other cheek. So, when it happened, she was just as surprised as the next unsuspecting creative person.

"I asked a friend to recommend a financial advisor," she says. "I only said that I was an artist in our conversations, but my web page is on my signature line. The next time I talked to him, he said that he was interested in buying Jelly Bean Jungle—I really didn't think he was serious, but just being kind."

Menary went on to ask her prospect if he was really interested in her painting and he responded "absolutely." Despite his seeming desire to add her piece to the body of work (his children's) in his office space, she was still not convinced, that is, until the full amount for the price she'd quoted showed up in her checking account via wire transfer.

Shocked and excited, Sharon has always been proud of her work and no stranger to sales but even this was enough to counter the effects of the relatively slow times that we have all been facing. In keeping with our recent theme of befriending the web, being more social, and leveraging our connectivity, she gives credit where credit is due by exclaiming "I actually sold a piece from the internet. :)" and pays homage to good things coming her way with the following quote "Faith is the assurance hoped for; the conviction of things not seen."

More of Sharon's work may be viewed at her site: www.sharonmenary.com

Here's to a prosperous 2010.

Henderson 2009 Winterfest Is Almost Here.

Winterfest is right around the corner. Dust off your woolen coat, grab a scarf, and head down to the Henderson Events Plaza with your whole family on December 10th-12th. You don't want to pass this up.

The celebration kicks off Thursday evening with the "Sounds of the Season" concert by the Henderson Symphony Orchestra. Then the next two days will be filled with events including the 1st Annual Festival of Trees, the Gingerbread House Contest, the Tree Lighting, Santa's Arrival (Officially. He already made one appearance on Water Street two weeks ago.), "The Nutcracker," and the Winterfest Annual Holiday Parade, with two major cash prizes.

Partake in a wide variety of ethnic foods and admire crafts from an impressive 65 vendors. There will be ice skating, a petting zoo, pony rides, wagon rides, train rides, storytelling, and plenty of other children's activities. Miss it and you'll have to wait 12 more months.

Winterfest will take place at the Henderson Convention Center and Events Plaza on South Water Street in the heart of the Water Street District in Henderson, NV. Find a full list of events and their respective times at either of these two sites:

Henderson Live WinterFest Celebration

cityofhenderson.com/winterfest

General Meeting A Resounding Success: Guest Speaker. Cookies. Double Dose of Goodness.

HAA President Deborah Mays covers off items on the evening's agenda before setting the stage for social media authority and guest speaker Brian Mosko. Photos courtesy of HAA members Nabila Khanam and Dana Satterwhite.

On Monday evening, November 23rd, Brian Mosko, the second in our ongoing HAA Guest Speaker Series, couldn't respond to raised hands and the rapid-fire hail of questions from the enraptured crowd quickly enough. He stood poised at the front of the room, cell phone receiving a never-ending stream of texts and tweets on the table by his side, as he reminded artists of the power the internet has given us as we establish personal and professional connections online. The conversation began with the basic benefits of having a website and learning to use the web to one's advantage. Eventually four of the top ranking social media sites (Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube) became central to the discussion as viable (and free) communication and self-promotion vehicles. But, honestly, just as the dialogue began to heat up, time ran out. Eyes remained wide and mouths agape, as we all realized how much untapped potential is right there at our disposal and, literally, our fingertips.

After Brian's stellar presentation, there wasn't much time left to discuss anything. Before, several topics were covered including a recent art sale by HAA board member Sharon Menary, upcoming shows, and the timing for the next meeting. It's looking like we will bypass December in light of the holidays and time the next general meeting for mid-January. Former HAA Hospitality Chair Beth McCall was not present at this meeting, so the wonderful fare she usually provides was noticeably absent. Two pieces of good news, though, are attached to this. One, Beth has since accepted the HAA Education Chair position and, two, local bakers and entrepreneurs Greg Shiver and Cleo Allen were kind enough to prepare and hand-deliver three Heavenly Dozens of Angie's Gourmet Oatmeal Cookies which filled the void and a few growling stomachs.

In the spirit of continuing the theme of social networking, become a fan at the AGOC Facebook Fan Page: Facebook | ANGIE'S GOURMET OATMEAL COOKIES

Thank you again, Brian, for a much-anticipated and long-overdue discussion. Thank you, Findlay Toyota, for opening your doors and providing a beautifully-appointed meeting space. Thank you, members, for attending.

This discussion was just popular enough that we may have to have Brian back again. Get ready for the next one. Now that we're a little more enlightened, spread the word by way of Facebook and Twitter. Post and tweet with reckless abandon. I kid, but not really.