When you think of Las Vegas, what comes to mind? Is it the whirring of slot machines, the clinking of glasses and the electronic music which booms from pool parties and concert halls? Or is it the peace and quiet of art galleries and museums?

We would put money on it being the former, but did you know Las Vegas actually boasts a thriving art scene? From contemporary and fine art collections to public installations, Vegas offers something for everyone. What’s more, many great art attractions are just a stone’s throw from the Strip, which means you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Seven Magic Mountains

If you travelled into Las Vegas via the Interstate 15, you may have spotted the Seven Magic Mountains already. Created by renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone, Seven Magic Mountains is a large-scale, colourful, public installation located in the desert outside of Vegas.

The installation features seven 30-foot tall totems, which were created out of locally sourced boulders. Each is painted with various neon colours, in contrast with the dusty landscapes surrounding them.

Downtown Vegas Murals

Downtown Las Vegas is home to a wealth of impressive street art, including several grand-scale murals. Many of these have been created by artists as part of the ‘Life is Beautiful’ festival, which celebrates music, culinary arts and visual arts. Since the first festival 2013, the murals of Downtown Vegas have become a must-see for many of the city’s visitors.

Below we’ve highlighted some of the most well-known murals and their locations:

• Love Forever by D*Face – Plaza Hotel and Casino, Place and 7^th
• ‘The Cycle of Civilization’ by Zio Ziegler – 7^TH and Ogden Avenue
• 3D Mural by Felipe Pantone – 7^th and Ogden Avenue
• ‘Scratch and Win’ by Ana Mario Ortiz – 7^th Avenue, between Ogden and Steward Street
• ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ by Ruben Sanchez – Fremont Street

 

The Art Collection at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

Inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas resort, you can find a carefully curated collection of contemporary art. The collection includes large-scale paintings, photography, sculptures, installations and more.

On display are works from the likes of Maya Hayuk, Alexa Da Corte, Jonathan Borofsky, Takashi Murakami and many more. In addition to the resort’s permanent collection, The Cosmopolitan also hosts various different art exhibitions throughout the year.

Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art

The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is, of course, connected to the world famous Bellagio Hotel and Casino, yet the gallery has become a must-see attraction of its own right. Opened in 200, the gallery is a rotating exhibition space, which has been home to some of the world’s most amazing artworks.

Previous exhibitions have included works from Monet, Hockney, Piscasso and Warhol. Recently, the space has been home to two of Yayoi Kusama’s famous installations, ‘Infinity Mirrored Room: ‘Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity’ and ‘Narcissus Garden’.

The Art at the Wynn

The Wynn name has always been connected to the world of art. The resort’s original owner was a prominent art collector and, as such, the Wynn Las Vegas has always been home to famous pieces of art.

Since the resort opened, it has been committed to promoting public art, which is accessible to all. Recently, the Wynn acquired the ‘Smiling King Bear’ sculpture by Spanish contemporary artist, Okuda San Miguel. Other pieces include ‘Tulips’ by Jeff Koons and ‘Arrows and Flowers’ by Takashi Murakami and Virgil Abloh.

Whilst people generally head to Las Vegas to hit the casinos and live lavishly, there’s plenty of other things to see and do. The world’s best mobile casinos have made it so that gambling isn’t just reserved for Vegas, so why not enjoy a more unique vacation and visit some of the city’s best art attractions instead?