Furniture buffs have IKEA, and artists have Blick. The art-materials supplier was founded over a century ago in Illinois, and now it has more than 70 stores across the country serving the full creative spectrum. The Las Vegas outpost just moved into new digs at 6300 W. Charleston Blvd. (a straight shot from the Arts District), and the grand-opening celebration is being stretched over two weeks.
It starts with a ribbon-cutting at 9 a.m. on August 27. The first 100 guests get a tote packed with $100 of premium art supplies, and Blick plans to donate $500 to the Metro Arts Council of Southern Nevada's Push Forward Skateboarding for its art programs for at-risk youth (plus, through the duration of grand-opening festivities, Blick is running a Give/Get fundraiser "offering a healthy bounce-back coupon in exchange for a donation of art materials to Push Forward"). Once the ribbon hits the ground, local artist Ruzo Logic will be joined by a team of spray-painters for a demo on Logic's "Guerilla Kage" art panels while a DJ spins and a food truck cranks out some tastiness.
Full event details are on Blick's site, but here's a quick roster:
Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School A three-session life-drawing event, with costumed models. Tickets are available here. August 27, 5:30-8 p.m., $5 admission comes with a $20 goody bag (including art supplies).
Skin City Body Painting While Skin City artists demonstrate the wow-factor of body painting, graffiti artists will work on large canvases outside of the store. August 28, 3 p.m.
Las Vegas Tattooers Alliance Spotlight A food truck will be parked outside and LVTA artists will show their skills to promote tattoo art, with a reception in the evening. August 28, all day.
Better With Blick Staff artists will host demos throughout the day, and customers are invited to participate. September 4, all day.
Push Forward Skateboarding Art Show Local nonprofit Push Forward Skateboarding will represent during a painted skate-deck art show, including live art by Push Forward's team of teachers and student artists. September 5, all day.
