Public Programs & Exhibits
This is the 14th year for the Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition For 2020, in light of the coronavirus challenges, we have reformatted the showgirl art competition to online. To find current information about the art competition, go to: castandcrewreunion.com
The 2020 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition
The winning artists artwork is currently on display at Blick Art Materials on West Charleston. Due to the limitations on the numbers of patrons that can be in the store at any given time, we had a quick parking lot awards ceremony and photo opportunity for the students before delivering the artwork into the store to be hung.
The 2019 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition
The West Charleston Barnes & Noble hosted the awards ceremony for the 2019 winning artists, and the second showgirl art competition presentation for Las Vegas teachers, students, and community artists. Two iconic showgirls modeled authentic costumes for the artists to sketch, and the 2019 artwork was on display. The Las Vegas Academy Of the Arts visual arts department was also named the recipient of the Barnes & Noble School Bookfair that weekend. From there, the winning artists artwork went on to be displayed at the West Charleston Blick Art Materials for 10 months.
The 2018 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition
The Arts Factory Las Vegas hosted the first showgirl art competition presentation for Las Vegas teachers, students, and community artists. Two iconic showgirls modeled authentic costumes for the artists to sketch. The 2018 winning artists artwork was also on display, and a showgirl reunion was hosted at the same time. Both events were filmed and debuted in the Vegas PBS documentary “The showgirl! A Las Vegas icon”.
The 2017 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition
Was on display at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts Bryan Lewis Gallery, and at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts annual fundraising dinner at the Rio Hotel/Casino.
The 2016 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition
Was and currently is on the showgirl legacy Facebook page, and was on display at numerous social gatherings at Cindy Doumani's house.
The 2015 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition
will be part of a Showgirl Documentary being filmed by Dondino Productions in association with Read to Me Foundation.
The 2014 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition
was on display for the fourth year at the West Charleston Barnes and Noble as part of a fundraiser for the Las Vegas Academy for the Performing Arts.
The 2013 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition
was showcased on Vegas PBS ArtScene
The 2012 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition
& Costume Exhibition was part of the “Vegas Style” exhibit at the Nevada State Museum. On display to represent the Las Vegas Stageshow Spectaculars was the first prize winner and 2 costumes from the world famous Tropicana Follies Bergere’
The 2010 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition
& Costume Exhibition was on display at the Nevada State Museum & Historical Society in Las Vegas and the West Charleston Barnes and Noble.
The 2009 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition
& Costume Exhibition was on display for the third year at the Reno Historical Society and the West Charleston Barnes and Noble as part of a fundraiser for the Las Vegas Academy for the Performing Arts.
The 2008 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition
& Costume Exhibition was on display again at the Reno Historical Society and debuted at the Las Vegas Nevada State Museum and Historical Society for ten months, with costumes from Karen Burn's collection and a working Jubilee! Costume by Bob Mackie. The opening included a panel of entertainers from the world famous Stageshow Spectaculars and the Third Annual Cast and Crew Reunion. United press writer Kathleen Hennessey wrote a wonderful article about the Nevada State Museum show and it was picked up by CNN news and traveled around the world.
The 2007 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition Exhibition
continued to travel and was on display at the Water Street Art Gallery that was owned by College of Southern Nevada history professor Fred Sigman in September. It was displayed and included in a fundraiser for the Las Vegas Academy for the Performing Arts at the West Charleston Barnes and Noble book signing in October, and by popular demand, stayed at Barnes and Noble through February. It was on display at the Second Annual Cast and Crew Reunion in November, at the Orleans Hotel and Casino, and part of the Classic Las Vegas, Showgirls, Fashion & Art event at the Fashion Outlets.
The Artwork generated from the Art Competition first became an exhibition in 2007
and was embraced by the staff at the Nevada Historical Society They saw the historical value of the Showgirl's Legacy and agreed to host the show that ran June 29 through August 3. The Showgirl Art Competition was promoted through the schools and in the arts community in both Las Vegas and Reno, but it was Miss Mabel, an art teacher with the Las Vegas Academy for the Performing Arts that embraced the project and encouraged her students to explore the rich history of the showgirl.
Twenty pieces of art were chosen, and renowned local Artist Terry Ritter offered three pieces to be shown. The project continued to grow, and Karen Burns, with Karen Burns' productions included pieces from her special collection of MGM "Hello Hollywood Hello" costumes. The Reno Community was delighted with the live showgirls that greeted them at the opening reception, as well as the stunning combination of art and costumes.
New York Times writer Patti Brown and photographer Jim Wilson flew in for the opening reception to capture the allure of the showgirl in their story that was picked up on a national level and was featured in the first section of the New York Times in color.
