“If you can make people’s lives more full, more happy, more beautiful and surround them with beauty; that is what it is all about.
-Max Bunnell
For being such a small, out-of-the-way place, the Moapa Valley community is blessed with a tremendous wealth of artistic talent.
For example, we are fortunate to have a few truly world-class resident artists, like Nancy Glazier and Jd Challenger, whose valuable and important artworks are in high demand on the national scale. Here they are, doing their daily work in this small Nevada community.
But we also have a whole lineup of top-notch regional art notables like Joan Day, Lynn Rigoni, Janet Trobough, Tammy Symons and others who produce art pieces known far and wide throughout the area.
In addition, talented local artists like Susan Perez, Annetta Romero, Marya Romero, Jackie Worthen, Aime’e Potts and many more have been personally invested in enriching the Moapa Valley community with their own creativity and with their tireless involvement in local art education and awareness.
There are even a number of renowned artists living outside of the community who have become adopted son/daughters to us. These include artists like Gig Depio of Las Vegas, Heidi Leavitt of Alamo, Char and Kent Lang of Mesquite and Ken Kaylor of Beaver Dam, AZ – all of whom have become deeply connected to the Moapa Valley in their art sensibilities through familial, cultural or historical ties.
And at the very center of all of this is, of course, the great sage of Overton – truly the patriarch of Moapa Valley arts: Max Bunnell. Throughout a remarkable lifelong career of selflessly creating, teaching and championing local art, Bunnell has literally laid the foundation for the vibrant art community that we enjoy today. Thank you, Max!
But despite all this remarkable abundance of world-class talent; despite the amazing artistic output generated year-round right here in Moapa Valley; the local art scene seems to operate behind the scenes and largely unnoticed. There are no local art galleries. The amazing local artwork that is on exhibit at places like Lost City Museum or the Old Logandale School is generally overlooked by folks in the rush of day-to-day activities. And aside from the Pomegranate Art Festival (which has so much more to it that eclipses it as a mere art show), and one or two sparsely attended art exhibits throughout the year, there is very little that showcases the vibrancy of our local art scene. In fact, the majority of locals are entirely unaware of the amazing creative output that goes on here year round, day in and day out. That is a shame!
This is why the first annual Hot and Dusty Fine Art Invitational, going on this month at the Lost City Museum, is such a must-see event for local folks! Here is an easily-accessible show that brings together Moapa Valley’s best and brightest in an exhibit that fully reflects the breadth and depth of our art community.
The artwork in the exhibit has been well chosen and beautifully displayed in the museum’s main hall. Much of the art on display was created specifically for this exhibit. Many of the works have never been shown before anywhere else in the world. All of it reflects a cultural flavor that is uniquely local and supremely delightful.
The exhibit is also personable and its artists quite accessible. Last weekend three of the participating artists were featured in their own ‘Meet the Artist’ events. Members of the public were encouraged to interact with the artists. Those who came were able to learn about the techniques and inspiration that went into the works. Similar artist events will continue throughout the month. And a reception, complete with gourmet dessert bar catering, will bring all of the artists together on August 24. It is a great cultural opportunity for almost every age.
Hot and Dusty is a stunning exhibit that every resident of Moapa Valley should come and see! It has been a long time since the local art community has been so appropriately celebrated. If you miss it, you will have passed up a truly life-affirming and soul-edifying experience – a chance to be lifted by the remarkable beauty which surrounds us.
Hats off to Overton arts champion Jana Ward for organizing a well-orchestrated exhibit! Kudos to the staff and Docents Council of the Lost City Museum for supporting and hosting this grand tribute to local art. And bravissimo to the team of local artists who contributed time and created artwork to be featured here in our local museum!
May the arts in Moapa Valley forever thrive and continue to blossom! And may we see many, many more years of the Hot and Dusty Arts Invitational!
