Editorial: Art gallery deals are boost for city

Tuesday, July 18, 2000 | 9:38 a.m.

It is exciting that the Venetian and Bellagio hotel-casinos are negotiating with major art galleries to bring their collections here. The Venetian is considering the construction of a 35,000-square-foot gallery for a branch of the Guggenheim Museum, while the Bellagio's new owner, MGM MIRAGE, is discussing the display of works by artists such as Picasso, Degas, Cezanne and Monet from the Phillips Collection.

Steve Wynn ushered in this mixture of casinos and fine art when he opened the Bellagio hotel-casino in 1998, displaying an impressive collection that included works by Monet, Picasso and Van Gogh. Wynn also plans to open his own art gallery at the new hotel-casino he has planned for the Desert Inn. Bringing major artworks to Las Vegas is a significant breakthrough, especially since the city had long been viewed as a cultural wasteland. Meanwhile, it is hoped that one day a gathering of such prominent art won't be confined to a casino, but instead will be showcased in a public museum.