Gorsky sees stars with ‘Miracle in the Desert’

Monday, Oct. 24, 2005 | 8:01 a.m.

When artist Vladimir Gorsky finished his epic work "Tapestry of Centuries," the piece was an 18-foot collage that features 350 leaders, philosophers, heroes and dictators who have shaped the world since the birth of Christ until 1999.

His "Miracle in the Desert," a 12 1/2-foot mixed-media piece, is more exclusive: Elvis, Liberace, Wayne Newton, Lance Burton, various showgirls, the Rat Pack and Siegfried and Roy. Past and present hotel facades and marquees are painted throughout the work.

The painting, on display at Lyn Peri Collections, is a little showy in contrast to the gallery's fine-art etchings by Italian artists. It sparkles, it glimmers it shines.

"We wanted something different to let people know that we do take in different types of works," said Jerry Hall, who owns Lyn Peri Collection, at Holsum Lofts near Interstate 15 and Charleston Boulevard, with James Drewry. "It's an important piece. It represents so much of Las Vegas."

The original "Miracle in the Desert" by Gorsky, a pop artist who lives in Texas, is also being sold in smaller giclee versions for $2,900. At 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, one will be given to Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman as a thank you for his contribution to the arts and downtown redevelopment.

The event will be followed by a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception, in which Gorsky will be present. For more information, call 366-9171.

MFA plays and visiting percussionists

The university will also showcase its Master of Fine Arts playwright students in its fall One Act Play Festival, beginning at 8 p.m. Wednesday and ending with a 2 p.m. matinee Oct. 30, at the Paul Harris Theatre. The three one-act plays by Stan Waring, Carissa Boak and Nakia Oglesby have been entered in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, which has accepted work by other UNLV students. Tickets are $5. Call 895-2787.

Also, percussion students from the Elder Conservatorium of Music in Adelaide, Australia, who are studying with UNLV instructors this week, will present a 6 p.m. concert Wednesday in the Doc Rando Recital Hall at Beam Music Center. Tickets are free.

Call to artists

Public art is on the move.

Wrap It Transit, an art project sponsored by the Regional Transportation Commission, Clark County Parks and Recreation Department and Las Vegas Centennial Committee, is seeking artist submissions.

Winning submissions will be transferred to a bus-sized laminate, then applied to a CAT bus and printed as posters. Winning artists will be awarded $2,500.

Submissions must be received by 3 p.m. Nov. 8 at Clark County Parks and Recreation's Cultural Annex at 2601 E. Sunset Road. For details, call 455-8239.

Kristen Peterson can be reached at 259-2317 or kristen@lasvegassun.com.