ARTS NOTES

Friday, Sept. 1, 2006 | 7:17 a.m.

Photographer Antonio Gomez returns to his hometown in Jalisco, Mexico, each year, bringing his Leica Rangefinder to capture the community he knows so well.

Inspired by French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, he seeks that fraction of a second that would otherwise be lost. There are lively images: a stadium scene of a charro cheering his teammates and a couple dressed in traditional clothing celebrating a renewal of their wedding vows on their 50th anniversary, covered by a shower of rose petals.

More staid portraits include an image of his great aunt looking out a doorway and photos of individual women surrounded by the safety of their Catholic icons.

These images are featured in "The Need of Memories: A Photographic Essay of Central Mexico," opening today at Archinofsky Gallery.

The photographs reflect his travels home over the past 12 years. The black-and-white images capture family, friends and city scenes.

Details: The event is part of Hispanic Heritage Month; an artist's reception from 6 to 10 p.m. today, 1551 S. Commerce St., sponsored in part by the Mexican consulate; other showings Sept. 21 and Oct. 6; www.archinofsky.com.

So this is war

Photographer Diane Bush will be signing copies of "Warheads," her softbound book of photographs commenting on the glamorous, sanitized coverage of modern war.

Bush has taken distorted photos of news anchors off television and splattered with bleach to create the effect of fire and explosion - portraying the violence of war.

Details: Book signing at 6 tonight, Dust Contemporary Fine Art, 1221 S. Main St.; 880-3878. Books will be sold at the gallery for $15.

Shepard on Bush

The Community College of Southern Nevada's production of "The God of Hell," Sam Shepard's look at American government after 9/11, opens tonight at the school's Cheyenne campus.

Details: 7:30 tonight and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, additional performances Sept. 8, 9 and 10; 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave.; $10 general admission, $8 for students and seniors; 651-5483.

Where is she now?

Wondering where Candy Schneider went after retiring this year as assistant director of the School Community Partnership Program?

She is now the director of education outreach for the planned Smith Center for the Performing Arts. She spent three decades connecting Clark County School District students with visual and performing arts events, including many Las Vegas Philharmonic programs.

Schneider also is a board member of the Nevada Arts Council and has served on several arts panels, including Poetry Out Loud and Gov. Kenny Guinn's portrait competition.