UNLV students unlock the doors to their motel art

Thursday, March 9, 2006 | 7:20 a.m.

Normally they get a room. A little something out of the way. Just for the night.

They've been to the Blue Angel motel and the Artisan, and they have a motel on Fremont Street in mind.

But this month brings a different kind of venue for several students in the master's of fine arts program at UNLV, who have previously set up their "One Night Stand" guerrilla art shows in motels around town.

Through March 31 they're showing their work at the Trifecta Gallery in the Arts Factory at Charleston Boulevard and Main Street.

The exhibit called "teeny" features a sampling of work from artists Chris Bauder, Evan Dent, Danielle Kelly, Wendy Kveck, Adam Morey, Erin Stellmon, Chris Waters and Yuen Wong.

"It was fun, sort of a challenge, fitting into this little space," Kelly said.

Her drawings are accompanied by a related yarn, fishing line and Wiffle golf ball sculpture and are a study of spatial relations.

Other works include Waters' narrative cinematic style digital prints, "Nancy Moved to Toronto I" and "Nancy Moved to Toronto II."

The prints represent snippets of a short story the artist has created.

Morey's "Survey I," which displays his interest in surveillance and metaphysics, is a painting of himself using night vision as he's walking away from a video camera.

Two paintings by Kveck, who paints from staged and candid photographs, reflect the artist's examination of feminine rituals and social expectations of women.

Although not all works were created for this exhibit, Kelly said that the concept has similarities with their "One Night Stand" shows in that they're in accordance with a theme.

"A lot of us are trying to do something out of our comfort zone," Kelly said. "These are very site specific. Quick ideas, quick pieces."

The shows, which are designed to be small, eventful and relatively private, began as a way for the students to spread themselves beyond UNLV.

"We wanted to get involved in the community off the campus," Kelly said. "There is no end to the number of motel rooms in town."

For more information, go to www.martywalshgallery.com.