Arts District’s name reflects the 18-block area it encompasses
In 1957, Desert Art Supplies, a family-owned and -operated business, set up shop. The Las Vegas Art League, the founding organization of the Las Vegas Art Museum, followed in 1962.
By the early ’90s, Wes Miles’ The Arts Factory and Julie Brewer’s Enigma Garden Cafe arrived on scene.
The Contemporary Arts Center, formerly the Contemporary Arts Collective, opened its gallery doors in 1996.
The art-centric businesses, along with many others over the years, staked claims in the 18-block territory roughly bounded by Commerce and Fourth streets, Hoover and Colorado avenues and Las Vegas Boulevard — officially the 18b Arts District.
City of Las Vegas officials and community members gathered April 18 at Boulder Plaza, in the heart of the district, to celebrate its history. Mayor Carolyn Goodman also proclaimed April 18 to be 18b Arts District Day in the city.
“18b represents the heart and soul of our community,” Goodman said during a speech at the event, quoting heavily from the district’s website. “It is the reason someone would patronize downtown, have a meal, meet a friend.”
The honor is part of a continued effort by the city to promote its artsy urban core.
The city’s cultural affairs office, taking notice of the district’s influx and appeal to patrons, created the yearly Gateway Arts and Music Experience, or the GAME Festival, in 1997. The First Friday precursor would last until 2001.
Ward 3 City Councilman Bob Coffin grew up in the neighborhood and referred to the district as a “village,” saying the city is doing its best to take it to the “next level.”
“The city takes pride in 18b,” he said. “Summerlin, Henderson, those boring cities on the outside, all come downtown to take part in the excitement.”
Marc Abelman, proprietor of the downtown interior design business Inside Style, is the newly appointed president of the Las Vegas Arts District Neighborhood Association. Abelman said the district has come a long way since 1957, but he hopes to help continue its growth.
“The Arts Factory, First Friday — these have become institutions,” he said. “We are going to see more institutions like these in the Arts District’s future.”
While an average of 20,000 Las Vegans have made the district a go-to destination on the first Friday of every month, Abelman said he hopes to procure funding to better market the district as an every day attraction for valley residents and beyond.
“Someday, everybody will know about 18b,” he said, comparing it to SoHo, the trendy New York City neighborhood. “Big dreams — that’s what it comes down to.”
Contact Paradise/Downtown View reporter Nolan Lister at nlister@viewnews.com or 702-383-0492.
