By Kristen Peterson

Sun, Aug 13, 2006 (7:35 a.m.)

Diana Judson heard the quips when she moved her art business to Las Vegas 12 years ago. "Oh, that's great, an art-handling company in a culture-free zone," Judson recalls hearing from friends.

But two things have happened in the past decade that changed the landscape of art collecting in Las Vegas: new money and an influx of cultured newcomers.

Judson, president of Global Arts Transport, still handles East Coast clients, but says she has seen a big shift forward among Las Vegans, most of whom collect contemporary art.

"People would be surprised to know what's on these walls," Judson says. "There is a lot of money invested in big-name art in this town, but it's very hidden, and people are very private."

Michele Quinn of the downtown gallery G-C Arts says Las Vegas is still in its cultural infancy, but at least half a dozen serious collectors - beyond casino owner Steven Wynn - are purchasing museum-quality work.

The collectors, Quinn says, fall into two categories: Those who buy $5,000 pieces and those who buy $1 million paintings, with little happening in the $20,000 to $100,000 range.

Neither woman would reveal who has what on their walls. But, Judson says, "Everybody has a Warhol. There are a couple of Rothkos, and at the inner sanctum of big money, there's a Basquiat in every collection."