Happy Thanksgiving!

The HAA would like to wish all of the art community, Henderson, Las Vegas, and the world at large a wonderful holiday. Despite what may seem to be less-than-desirable economic times, when we take time to reflect, we often find that each of us has something, great or small, for which to be thankful.

HAA member and resident photographer Nabila Khanam was kind enough to submit this colorful and eclectic photo montage to "greet all members and patrons of the HAA."

Have a safe, warm, wonderful few days with friends and family and come back rejuvenated and more creative than ever.

Calling All Photographers!

Have any photographs of Henderson, NV that the world needs to see? Or maybe you're about to take one. Either way, dust off your archives or break out your cameras because now through December 21, 2009, the city of Henderson is holding its first "What Makes Henderson Great!" photo competition. There is NO COST to enter and you may enter up to five images. Winners will have their work displayed at City Hall, on the official City of Henderson website ( cityofhenderson.com ), and on the city's Facebook page ( Facebook | City of Henderson ). Follow this link to get complete contest details and start shooting.

City of Henderson "What Makes Henderson Great!" Photo Contest

Santa in town for November Third Thursday

Nothing says holidays like Santa and nothing makes a better holiday gift than art. That's why we're bringing both of them together...again. These are photos from last year when Santa stopped by the Water Street District. It's not just fun for the kids, it's fun for him too. He got a music lesson, a photography lesson, sifted through the creative archives, and after all of that, still managed to find time for all the children who'd spent their year being nice.

He'll be here again this Thursday to greet the Boys and Girls Club kids, ARTsWALK patrons, and dreamers of all ages. Stop by Plaza Gallery in the heart of the Water Street District in Henderson this Third Thursday, November 19th, and you'll get your first real taste of what the holiday season is all about.

While you're out and about, make sure to check out the new artists' show at the Meridian Building, recently installed by several HAA members and coordinated by ever faithful HAA Gallery Director Andrew Maioli. There will be a reception from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. 

Plaza Gallery is located at 223 South Water Street, Suite B, in Henderson, NV and the Meridian Building is right up the street at 155 South Water Street. Hope to see many of you there.

HAA General Meeting Guest Speaker Series Continues with Brian Mosko

Join us November 23rd (one week from today) for our next HAA general meeting where Las Vegas-based social media authority Brian Mosko will discuss the internet and web 2.0, and how they can be leveraged by businesses and artists to successfully reach your audiences. In 2006, Brian founded Mergent Planning, a full service business planning and small business start-up firm. After finding clients were coming back to him for marketing advice utilizing the internet, he started Mergent Squared, a small business social media marketing firm. Taking knowledge of existing social networks and using that to the advantage of his clients, Brian has been able to successfully market clients across all industries, from independent authors to service organizations to music clients with major record labels.

 

If there is an intersection to be found between creativity and technology, hopefully this discussion will help us find it.

As noted in an earlier post with details about the general meeting, it will be held Monday, November 23rd from 7:00 until 8:30 pm. We're trying out a new location which has been described as wonderful and immaculate. The folks at Findlay Toyota in Henderson have been kind enough to give us full use of their Training Room. They are located at 7733 Eastgate Rd, Henderson, NV and the meeting space is on the second floor. Hope to see you there.

See the earlier November general meeting post here: Creative Henderson: Next HAA General Meeting Set for Monday, November 23rd.

HAA Blog Celebrates One Year!!!

As we turn the corner on 365 days of existence, the HAA reaches yet another milestone. 5000 hits on our blog site, which is a clear indication that there is artistic (and no doubt intelligent) life out there. Thank you for checking in from time to time, supporting and involving yourself in the local arts communities, and spreading the word. One of the best ways to increase membership for your respective organization (other than, say, opening a Twitter account) is to be a devout brand apostle and clue people in by word-of-mouth. Become a follower. Clue us in to things going on in our community and in others. We can't post about everything but the more of you we know are out there listening, reading, creating, the better and stronger we'll become. Here's to the next 5,000 hits. Stay creative.

Next HAA General Meeting Set for Monday, November 23rd.

Mark your calendars. The HAA will hold its next general meeting in just under two weeks on Monday, November 23rd.

The second in our series of guest speakers will be Brian Mosko, founder of Mergent Squared and innovator when it comes to social media marketing. At a time when things are becoming increasingly digital, understanding the web can empower the artist, broaden their reach, inspire, and lead to never-before-considered avenues for promoting oneself and one's craft. It goes without saying that a presence on the web that is truly representative of one's talent and brand is invaluable.

This meeting is open to current HAA members as well as friends, family members, and anyone who loves art and chooses to support the local community. It will be held at a new location and we have HAA President Deborah Mays and member/Site Monitor Jo Firm to thank for continuing to forge inroads and making another valuable connection.

The folks at Findlay Toyota in Henderson are proponents of supporting the local community and its arts organizations. They have been kind enough to give us full use of their immaculate and well-appointed Training Room. They are located at 7733 Eastgate Rd in Henderson, NV. The space is on the second floor. The general meeting will begin at 7:00 pm and last until 8:30 pm or until things wind down. Hope to see you there.

Who Made the Blog Today? Beth McCall

Beth McCall, a resident of Las Vegas for nearly 22 years, has been oil painting for about 15 of them. Prior to that she worked in acrylics, pastels, and charcoal. She is primarily a portrait and figurative artist and has used her children as models in the majority of her paintings. She has always had a love for art. As a child, she spent summers in art camp at the local museum of Ft. Dodge, Iowa, a town of 25,000. The museum was beautiful and had a huge area for classes. When she "grew up," she put her paintbrushes away to raise her four children. Her brother was an excellent artist and, when he died in 1995, she began to realize all that she had given up by turning her back on art. Since that time, Beth has joined the HAA, held individual shows at the Green Valley and Flamingo Libraries, and received several awards for her work. She has been able to join her two passions in life—her art and her children. While not busy being a mom, creating, or carrying her world on her shoulders, Beth kindly dedicates her time as the entire HAA Hospitality Committee and has fearlessly carried on the educational outreach for the HAA during the Third Thursday ArtsWalk, creating chalk art with the artistic input of her kids as well. They are consistent and enthusiastic ambassadors of the Henderson Arts community and the HAA brand, as seen here.

November 12th: Renowned Photographer Mona Shield Payne Debuts Photos, Book for a Wonderful Cause.

On November 12th, Henderson photojournalist Mona Shield Payne will be debuting her photography and book Las Vegas Faces of the Street for herself, a growing number of homeless, and a great cause. AFTER THIS ONE EVENING, THE SHOW WILL NOT CONTINUE TO HANG. THIS EVENT IS FOR ONE NIGHT AND ONE NIGHT ONLY. In her own words below, she sheds a little light on the project, its benefits, and invites all of the LV and Henderson arts communities and the general public to come and be a part of it:

"You are invited to attend the annual Art In The Shade Fundraiser hosted by The Shade Tree Shelter. Featured this year is the debut photography exhibition and book Las Vegas Faces of the Street by photojournalist/author Mona Shield Payne.

Las Vegas Faces of the Street will take you on a journey down the streets and alleyways of Las Vegas like you've never experienced before. You will receive an up-close and personal look into the lives of people living on the streets. This compilation is definitely a stark contrast to the glitter-and-glam image you are accustomed to seeing. The individuals you will meet vary from the chronic homeless to those affected by the struggling economy in the United States. It is likely your heart will be touched as this powerful and poignant photo essay brings to light the humanity that is often forgotten in regard to those who are dealing with personal challenges of survival.

The evening will be filled with live entertainment, hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and an auction of amazing art donated by local artists and children of the shelter. Net proceeds will benefit The Shade Tree ( theshadetree.org ), a safe shelter providing refuge to homeless and abused women and children in crisis offering life-changing services promoting stability, dignity, and self-reliance.

Although times are tough in this economic climate, your attendance at this event will make a difference in a homeless woman's or child's life."

21 of the 55 photos in the book will be on display this one evening only. November 12th. 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Wellington Place (6985 West Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV)

$50 per ticket at the door. Hope to see you there.

For more information, visit the exhibition link on Mona Shield Payne's site: monashieldpayne.com/exhibition.html or contact her at 702.245.4822.

Who Made the Blog Today? Ed Klein

Ed Klein studied fine arts at Wayne University in Detroit, MI. After leaving school, he pursued a very successful career in the food industry. He retired to Las Vegas in 1992 and at the same time began to produce pen and ink portraits and other realistic works. One of them took first place in the 2004 Celebration of Life Art Competition. For the past several years, Ed has been working in watercolor. He has studied with Jan Schaeffer and Mary Shaw. Currently, Ed is teaching beginning and intermediate watercolor to private students. He is a member of the HAA, the Nevada Watercolor Society, and the Boulder City Artists Guild.

BCAG Art Show Revisited

The Boulder City Art Guild recently held its art show at the Montelago Village, Lake Las Vegas. These wonderful photos, captured one week ago on Saturday, October 10th by HAA member and photographer Nabila Khanam, paint a beautiful picture. Thanks, Nabila and all artists in attendance.

October Third Thursday Upon Us.

Like a ghost, ghoul, The Great Pumpkin rising from the pumpkin patch, or anything reminiscent of mid to late October, this month's Third Thursday just sort of snuck up on us. Stop by RAFI Architecture tomorrow night (October 15th) for yet another wonderful artist's reception and seasonal celebration. 155 South Water Street, Suite 220, Henderson, NV, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Food, fun, friends, fellow artists—it'll all be there. No costume required. If you're anxious for Halloween though, and want to wear one, go for it.

Continue down Water Street as part of the Third Thursday ARTsWALK and visit City Lights Gallery where the work of sixteen artists will be featured. As ever, artists, musicians, and merchants will have a broad range of items on display and for sale in front of the Henderson Events Plaza. And directly across the street, at Plaza Gallery, they will be showing retired exhibition prints, selected from the sixty (Count them. Sixty!) shows they've done since 2002. All framed works will be priced at $50 or less, hence the name "$50 or Less" Show.

Show your face and your support if you can.

Mural Artist Ozzy Villatte Unveils Another Masterpiece

I recently had the pleasure of visiting with resident mural artist Ozzy Villate as he completed another magical piece of work. Last time he was featured as his "Promise" mural became the new focal point of Water Street in the Heart of Henderson.

Creative Henderson: Promise Mural

This time, Ozzy's focus wasn't revitalization in the form of a spring as a life source. Rather, he set out to create an inspirational piece for children and adults alike. And that he did. This latest Little Nemo-inspired mural came to life in a local daycare center and will eventually find a permanent home in Arizona.

With a conscious eye toward creating something viewers could engage with, he managed to create something that, in turn, engaged with the viewer. The fact that 90% of the eyes are directed at the those of the beholder is no coincidence. "The goal," according to Villate, was "to take the child and the adult into the underwater fantasy world" and, again, he succeeded literally with flying colors.

Photographs courtesy of Henderson Art Association members Nabila Khanam and Dana Satterwhite. Ozzy can be contacted for commissioned mural or fine art projects and may be reached at his studio, 702.300.2034.

September Third Thursday is here.

Thursday, September 17th is Third Thursday in the heart of the Water Street District. Head down to the Events Plaza. On your way, stop at RAFI Architecture where they will kindly be hosting yet another artists' reception. 155 South Water Street, Suite 220, Henderson, NV, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Here are a few photos from earlier this summer.

Preston. General Meeting. Huge Success.

Photographer/Author Greg Preston sharing stories of his 18 year road to publication and the amazing subjects he met along the way. Joined in the fourth photo by his wife Sharon.

September's HAA general meeting was a long time coming and, for the members in attendance, it was worth it. After reviewing the previous board meeting's minutes and handling all of the requisite agenda items, an ever-effusive and humble Greg Preston took center stage. In the small room, in front of a small group, Preston proceeded to move the crowd with stories as personal and artful as anything any of us has ever created.

For comics fans, it was a refresher course. For neophytes, it was a wonderful introduction to a world whose magnificent characters have in some way touched us all. Preston took us for an abbreviated yet magical journey through the pages of his recent publication The Artist Within: Portraits of Cartoonists, Comic Book Artists, Animators, and Others.

The anecdotes were so earnest and the stories so candid, it was as if we were sitting there in the studios of the illustrators themselves, hearing the words as told personally by them.

Congratulations, Greg and Sharon, on turning an eighteen year pursuit into the stunning hardcover coffee table conversation piece you knew it could be and not settling for anything less. Thank you for taking time out to share it with all of us. For those in attendance, thank you for coming. For those who couldn't make it, you missed something special.

Following a brief Q&A session, Preston was kind enough to sign a few books. If you didn't get yours, you can find them on Amazon: Amazon.com: The Artist Within (9781593075613): Greg Preston: Books

A second book is in the works. We look forward to it. In the meantime, Greg, Sharon, and their commercial advertising work may be found here: Sampsel Preston Photography

HAA Guest Speaker Series: Greg Preston

Join us September 15th for our general meeting where renowned photographer and author Greg Preston (on of Vegas' very own) will share stories, anecdotes, and wisdom about his recent publication The Artist Within. A labor of love whose contents took over 15 years to assemble, The Artist Within gives a rare glimpse into the hearts, minds, and studios of the industry's most talented and reclusive cartoonists and animators. It is a lovingly-assembled, candid homage to pioneers and masters of a wildly imaginative craft. Preston's rare and exclusive personal accounts feature the talents and perspectives of luminaries such as Frank Miller, Al Hirschfeld, Joe Barbera, Jack Kirby, Joe Simon, Moebius, Walter and Louise Simonson, and many others.

When not traveling the country, capturing other artists and their work on film (or disk, these days), Preston and his wife Sharon Sampsel run a wonderful, family-oriented, and eponymous photography business on the west side of Las Vegas. They specialize in professional commerical and advertising photography but, honestly, do way more than that.

Sampsel Preston Photography

Sampsel Preston Photography, The Artist Within

The Artist Within will be available for purchase at the HAA general meeting and can also be found on Amazon: Amazon.com: The Artist Within (9781593075613): Greg Preston: Books

The general meeting will be held in the Wells Fargo Building at 112 Water Street, Henderson, NV from 6:00 pm till 8:30 on Tuesday, September 15th.

HAA General Meeting: September 15th

Sometimes it's tough to get by without a gallery space. But it's never impossible. Current HAA members, members of other local art organizations, Henderson business owners, and anyone who's got a love for creativity are all invited to our September general meeting, just under one month from today. We will begin at 6:00 pm and go until 8:30. If you can't come for the whole time, that's just fine. Come and stay as long as you can. The general meeting will be held in the Wells Fargo Building at 112 Water Street, Henderson, NV, in the heart of the Water Street District.

HAA t-shirts will be on-hand and for sale. They come in S, M, L, and XL. So far we have sold over 65 of them and raised over $1200 in donations. They are being worn in LA, NYC, Palm Springs, Houston, Austin, right here in Vegas and Henderson, and in other fair cities around the country. I've gotten more free hugs than I can count. Support the cause. Buy one or several. Feel the love.

Refreshments will be served. Details on the agenda to come.

This week: August Third Thursday in Henderson

Summer's cooling off—a little. May as well get outside before people start complaining that it's too cold. Here are a few photos (courtesy of Susanne Reese, Plaza Gallery) from last month's Third Thursday.

RAFI Architecture is kindly hosting another reception this month, making this the third month in a row. On your way down to the Events Plaza this Thursday evening, August 20th, stop by 155 S. Water Street in Henderson, NV. Second floor. Receptions typically begin at 5:30 pm and go till 8:00 pm. This art show will remain on display until September 9th. The artists and community could always use your support. Don't be one of the disappointed few who miss it.

In a Down Economy, HAA Membership is Up.

There are a few new names and faces among us and several familiar ones. Please welcome new HAA members Guillaume Guy, Suzanne K. Marsden, and Joseph Watson. While you're at it, welcome back returning members Edwin "Ed" Davis, Barbara Hunter, James T. Jarrett, Judy Jensen, Dorothy Slikker, Melinda Stanley, Shu-hsin "Sophia" Wu, and Kathleen Cantwell Yanez.

If you are a new member and you don't see your name mentioned here, rest assured, as soon as your jury process is complete and your dues have been submitted, you will receive a warm artist-to-artist shout out. Stay creative.

HAA Board Meeting is Here

The HAA Board will be meeting Monday, August 3rd from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Henderson Business Resource Center (112 Water Street, Suite 100 of the Wells Fargo Building) in Henderson, NV. Contact HAA President Deborah Mays with any questions.

An HAA general meeting is scheduled for September 15th and will be held at the same location from 6:00 pm till 8:30 pm. Please note it on your calendars. All current members and prospective members and artists are encouraged to attend.

Target-Sponsored ArtBeat Going Strong in Henderson's Water Street District

It's been a minute since I've had a chance to post. Pardon the silence. It's not for lack of things going on. Quite the contrary. Check out the photos below from Susanne Reese, co-owner of Henderson's Plaza Gallery and founder of the Water Street District Third Thursday's Arts Walk. Two weeks of ArtBeat during the month of June represented here and in the following post. More to come. Mark your calendars for September 4th and 18th and October 9th and 23rd. 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm. Free to the public. All family members welcome.

From Friday, June 19th: