 |
  |
| Art Will Last Forever — A Fine Wine … Only In Your Mind. | |
wineNart© - More Information on our start and the art and artists we work with:
Return to the referring page.
Lift stein, drink wine
Hofbrauhaus hosting a taste of unique art
By Kristen Peterson <kristen@lasvegassun.com>
Las Vegas Sun
|
IF YOU GOWhat: "wineNart"When: 2-5 p.m. Sunday Where: Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas, 4510 Paradise Road Admission: Free
|
Forget boisterous songs and stein swinging.
Those who equate Bavarian beer halls with all things German might change their mind Sunday at the Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas.
In a unique blend of cultures, executives at the mostly tourist-driven restaurant and beer hall are combining their No. 1 product with a California wine tasting and art exhibit.
The afternoon event, called wineNart, launches this weekend with a tribute to the late German abstractionist Jurgen Aldag, friend of longtime Strip performers Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn, who will be special guests.
But wineNart's primary purpose each month is to promote work by local artists via wine boxes. (Think pine wood derby with a more serious tone.)
Marty Walsh, Michael Wardle, Cybele, Mark T. Zeilman, Jorge Catoni and KD Matheson are among the artists who have participated in the project, which will give them free exhibit space at the Hofbrauhaus during the Sunday events.
"I thought it was a really cool idea and a really cool way to build community among the artists," said Leslie Rowland, whose medium is vintage furniture, restored as themed art pieces, most often with quotes.
Rowland, whose deep-red wine box is covered with heavy textures and made to look like it's been around awhile, even survived a fire, said that stepping out of the Arts District is opportune for artists needing exposure.
"We need to get out into Las Vegas," said Rowland, whose work is featured at Lynn Peri Collection at the Holsum Lofts. "Not everybody is ready to come into the Arts District."
Local businessman Mike Gill started the program as a way to promote emerging and midlevel artists looking for more exposure. He came up with the idea after moving to Las Vegas from Sonoma County, Calif., with his wife, Sheri Kisee, who was involved in the arts community there.
The program, which also includes artists from other cities, has 30 completed wine boxes and several artists are creating more. All boxes will be displayed at each Hofbrauhaus event. Additionally, each event will display the work of five of the artists. This weekend's event will highlight Rowland, Jennifer Main, Allen Dewey, Tom Di Giacco and Dray .
Gallo Wines will co-sponsor the monthly art exhibits and will provide the wine.
Dewey, who works in film, video and still photography, has created two boxes, one of which was from his series of abstract works. His other box is embedded with tiny nails. His next project is an audio visual box.
For the most part, the boxes are a thumbprint of the artists' work. Walsh's box features her portraits of vintage kitchen appliances. Matheson's sculptural and metallic-looking piece is symbolic of his style.
Some artists were challenged with painting on a three-dimensional object. Others completed their boxes within a week.
"I paint on Masonite anyway, so the medium wasn't anything out of the ordinary," said Dray, who mixes graffiti art with cubist traditions.
Dray, who has been in the Arts District for two years and is part of First Friday monthly arts events, says the wineNart program, "puts more emphasis on arts in the community."
The wine boxes, Gill says, are durable and functional. Gill makes a commission from each box that is sold. Some are priced at several hundred dollars; others are $100. Two have already sold. The Hofbrauhaus does not take a cut in the sale of any of the artwork, but hopes to benefit from drawing the community to the establishment.
"We figured a lot of locals had never been to our place," Klaus Gastager, vice president of Hofbrauhaus Las Vegas, said. "We wanted to do Sunday events and we want to give them an opportunity to show their work."
Have they had a wine tasting before?
"Well, no," Gastager said. "Our main focus is the beer. But why not?"
Information: 853-2337
Kristen Peterson can be reached at 259-2317 or at kristen@lasvegassun.com.Return to the referring page.
Las Vegas SUN main page
Back To HOME PAGE