The stretch of Main Street formerly known as “Antique Alley” and, more recently, part of the 18b Arts District, has been officially dubbed “Brewery Row” by the City of Las Vegas. With good reason: That area is now home to six craft breweries and several beer bars/bottle shops, more than enough to float a partial rebranding. But make no mistake, art still owns this neighborhood. It’s painted in the alleys, sold on the streets every First Friday … and hanging on the walls of the Arts District’s galleries year-round. Here are five worth checking out.
The Arts Factory Yes, the Arts Factory is technically a gallery hive. But exploring this place—especially on a Preview Thursday, when the artists are present, but the huge First Friday crowds aren’t—can be a crash course in local art, with nearly two dozen galleries and studios bursting with the raw invention of artists both emerging and established. Don’t forget the studios on the upper floor. 107 E. Charleston Blvd., 702-383-3133.
Main Street Studios This recently opened gallery has a wonderfully lived-in vibe; with its comfy couches, live acoustic music and super-friendly staff, you could swear it’s been part of the street-scape for 20 years. Here you’ll find a wide-reaching assortment of styles and artists, from drawings to oils, classical to experimental—and if you’re inspired by what you see, they offer art classes. 1056 S. Main St., mainstreetstudioslv.com.
Nevada Humanities The smallest space on this list shoulders immense weight. The cozy Art Square home of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Nevada Humanities organization presents works intended to educate—and perhaps even unite—our state’s many disparate communities. Perhaps that’s why one never know quite what they’ll see here. Could be poetry, could be three-dimensional photography. No matter what, it’s always worth the visit. 1017 S. 1st St. #190, 702-800-4670.
Priscilla Fowler Fine Art This contemporary art gallery has become the neighborhood’s lodestone. In the past couple of years, it has earned an unassailable reputation for showing provocative, thoughtful and even beautiful work, expertly displayed. It’s a big one—big enough to accommodate multiple hanging shows at once, plus sculpture, giant multimedia works and a selection of jewelry and crafts. 1300 S. Main St. #110, 719-371-5640.
Recycled Propaganda The home gallery of sharply topical street artist Recycled Propaganda (nee Isaac Zevalking) is in itself a piece of art; a goodly amount of the space is graffitied, wheat-pasted and slap-tagged. The culture-jamming artists who show here bring smart, colorful and strongly opinionated pieces, much like the work of their host, which is available to purchase as prints, pins and stickers. 1114 S. Main St. #120, recycledpropaganda.com.
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