____________________________________________________________________________________________

"2012 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition & Costume Exhibition"

 in the Spring of 2012.

______________________________________________________________________

"2011 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition & Costume Exhibition"

______________________________________________________________________________

The "2010 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition Winners"

Debuted at the Nevada State Museum in Las Vegas September 15 thru December 5

and Barnes & Nobel December 6 thru January 20, 2010

The vision of the “Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition”

is to capture the spirit of the Showgirl and production shows for which Las Vegas is world famous.

This is the fourth year for the Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition (LVSAC); Artwork generated from the Art Competition first became an exhibition in 2007 and was embraced by the staff at the Nevada Historical Society in Reno. They saw the historical value of the Showgirl Legacy and agreed to host the show. The LVSAC was promoted through the schools and in the arts community in both Las Vegas and Reno, but it was Miss Mabel, an art teacher with the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing and Visual Arts, that embraced the project and encouraged her senior students to explore the rich history of the showgirl. Twenty pieces of art were chosen, and renowned local Artist Terry Ritter offered three pieces to be shown. The project continued to grow, and Karen Burns, with Karen Burns Productions included pieces from her special collection of MGM "Hello Hollywood Hello" costumes. The Reno Community was delighted with the live Showgirls that greeted them at the opening reception, as well as the stunning combination of art and costumes.

LVSAC was also honored to have New York Times writer Patti Brown and photographer Jim Wilson, who flew in for the opening reception to capture the allure of the Showgirl in their story that was featured in the first section, in color,  of the New York Times and was picked up on the national and international level. The Exhibition continued to travel and was on display at the Water Street Art Gallery in historic downtown Henderson, owned by College of Southern Nevada history professor Fred Sigman. It hung at the West Charleston Barnes & Noble and was part of a fundraiser for the Las Vegas Academy that included a book signing of "The Stardust of Yesterday" by Heidi Knapp Rinella and edited by Mike Weatherford. It also displayed at the "Second Annual Cast and Crew Reunion" at the Orleans Hotel/Casino and was included in the "Classic Las Vegas, Showgirls, Fashion & Art" event at the Fashion Outlets in Primm, Nevada.

The 2008 LVSAC  was again featured seasonally at the Reno Historical Society and debuted at the Las Vegas Nevada State Museum & Historical Society for nearly a year, including costumes from Karen Burns' productions collection and a working Bally's Jubilee! Costume by Bob Mackie. The opening night included a panel of entertainers along with the "Third Annual Cast and Crew Reunion" guests. United Press writer Kathleen Hennessey wrote a stellar article about the Nevada State Museum show which was featured by CNN news and traveled around the world.

The 2009 LVSAC was on display for the third year at the Nevada Historical Society in Reno, and the West Charleston Barnes & Noble with a fundraiser for the Las Vegas Academy and included an appearance of a contemporary Showgirl.

In 2010, the program downsized due to the state of the economy and focused solely on the LVA, because of  its historical role as a lead partner since inception and  its inclusion of the Showgirl Art Competition as a part of the Academy's  innovative curriculum. Miss Mabel opened up the Junior class presentation to the community with a working art event which  included a live Showgirl/model, past performer invited guests who related  their former entertainment experiences as well as sponsors and friends. The artwork you see on display was generated from the LVA class, LVA graduates and some guest artists.

LVSAC looks forward to 2011 with a highly focused art experience reflecting the traditional Showgirl, the continuing elevation of the quality/creativity of these works of  art and increased student and community artist participation. We are pleased to express our appreciation to the artists, sponsors and supporters-past and present-for the success of this program!

Sponsors:

Technology Exclusive

Denny Weddle & Associates

Nevada State Museum & Historical Society

Barnes & Noble

Karen Burns Productions

Cindy Doumani

Terry Ritter

Kell & Nancy Houssels

Carolyn Sparks

Bank of America

Escobar & Associates

Nevada Historical Society, Reno

Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors

UNLV Special Collections Department

Coldwell Banker: Diane Varney Realtor

Dr. Rex Lui, Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

LIDO Paris

Las Vegas Academy Presenters:

Linda Spinks

Daryl Roth

Terry Ritter

Jerry Blank

Diane Varney

Dancer/Showgirls:

Cathy Cobert

Angela Falivena

Tara Edmonds

Alexandra Zevalking

Special Guest appearance:

Wes Winters

Our Media Supporters:

The Las Vegas Review Journal

The Las Vegas View

Mike Weatherford

New York Times: Patti Brown & Jim Wilson

The United Press: Kathleen Hennessey

Post Notes; Laura Post

Call Back Magazine

KLAV 1230AM

2010 Showgirl Art Competition information/ how to submit your artwork

2010 Showgirl Art Competition articles

________________________________________________________________________________________ 

2009 Showgirl Art Competition & Costume Exhibition

The Las Vegas Academy for the Performing Arts collection of  Showgirl Art (2007-2009)was on display December 5th 2009 - February 5, 2010 as part of a Fundraiser for the Academy at Barnes & Noble on West Charleston & Rampart.

The "2009 Showgirl Art Competition & Costume Exhibition" also debuted at the

 Las Vegas Nevada State Museum and Reno Historical Society.

2009 Showgirl Art Competition

 2008-09 Showgirl Art Competition

 2008-09 Showgirl Art Articles

 2008 CAST AND CREW REUNION

 Marketing and Sponsorship  opportunities

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________