Dylan Scott
The 45-foot brushes straddled the entrance to the Arts District on Charleston Boulevard.
By Dylan Scott
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 | 5:25 p.m.
Two colossal paintbrushes now trace the entrance to the Arts District on Charleston Boulevard.
The sculptures, designed by renowned artist Dennis Oppenheim, were erected Tuesday night at the corners of Art Street and Fourth Street. Wiring continued on Wednesday, and testing of the lights will begin in the evening.
They will shine 1,600 feet of light into the nighttime sky after a dedication ceremony in mid-August.
“The Paintbrush Gateway projects a stroke, 1,600 feet long, going into darkness, thus echoing an artist’s excursion into the unknown,” said Oppenheim in a statement released this morning.
The Art in Public Places project leans at a slight angle toward Charleston Boulevard. Conceptual designs show the bristles lit with green, blue and red programmable lights, while large LED lights illuminate the handle.
Oppenheim intended for the structures to serve as a guide when navigating the Arts District.
The dedication ceremony is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 11.
Downtown Arts District Officially known as 18b Arts District, the downtown arts district contains an eclectic mix of galleries, one-of-a-kind stores, and restaurants just a short walk or bus ride from Fremont Street. Known as "18b," the Las Vegas Arts District is located immediately south of downtown Las Vegas in an area bounded by Commerce Street, Hoover Avenue, Fourth Street and Las Vegas Boulevard (at Charleston) and Colorado Avenue.
The name, "18b," represents the original Arts District area, which consisted of 18 blocks. Today, the Arts District area has grown beyond those original 18 blocks and is a classic urban mix of residential, commercial and cultural uses that will continue to grow as the hub of the arts scene in Las Vegas.
On the first Friday of each month, an arts and cultural event is held in the district. The "First Friday" festival draws up to 10,000 visitors into the neighborhood. This event encourages people to flock downtown to browse, buy, eat, drink and mingle. The event is a festive environment with food and beverage vendors, music, visual performances and artists displaying their works. Las Vegas,
NV 89104
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