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This Week in Arts: Ellsworth Kelly, Mozart and ArtPrize in Vegas

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Ellsworth Kelly, Color Panels, 2011, Lithograph, Edition of 45. © Ellsworth Kelly and Gemini G.E.L., Los Angeles
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An art event how-to

For 19 days the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, turns itself into an international exhibition covering three square miles of the city with art, installing works in bars, pizzerias, churches, coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, government buildings, financial institutions and even a food court. The windows at the Department of Corrections and a display at a sporting-goods store? Yes and yes. Designed to be unorthodox and highly disruptive, ArtPrize pumps millions into the local economy and awards $500,000 to artists through public and juried votes.

The Clark County Public Art Committee would like to see the event happen here. This week executives from ArtPrize—Christian Gaines, executive director, and Jori Bennett, director of corporate sponsorship—will be in town to discuss its process at a free public meeting at Winchester Cultural Center.

February 11, 6-8 p.m., free. 3130 S. McLeod Drive, 702-455-7340.

Ellsworth Kelly at the Barrick

Back in 2013, philanthropist Agnes Gund was discussing color with artist Ellsworth Kelly in his Hudson Valley Studio when the conversation turned to his interest in birds, and then, as with just about everything in Kelly’s realm, they returned to color: “the way you want color to jump out and hit the people,” and the way the color, Gund says, “just really comes into your soul.”

Loving “all colors equally,” Kelly, who died in December, presented color on its own special platform in abstract monochromatic panels and prints—shapes of pure form and color, extracted from the world around him. On February 12, the Barrick Museum presents Ellsworth Kelly, an exhibit in its Inner Gallery featuring works on loan from Gemini G.E.L. and private collectors in town. Organized by Michele Quinn of MCQ Fine Art Advisory, the exhibit of 20 prints reminds us of the the brilliant way Kelly translated the world and what he left behind for the rest of us.

February 12-May 14; Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Thursdays until 8 p.m.); Saturday, noon-5 p.m., 702-895-3381.

Of glass slippers and pranksterism

Sin City Opera, known for its motto, “Yesterday’s Opera Today,” brings a steampunk twist to Mozart’s Così Fan Tutte, creating a peculiar blend of sci-fi fantasy and 18th-century comic opera. Fully staged, sung in English and with live music, it should give a whole new perspective on the hilarities of wife swapping.

February 12 & 13, 7 p.m.; February 14, 2 p.m. (with additional performances February 19-21), $15. Winchester Cultural Center Theater, 3130 McLeod Drive, 702-455-7340.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day weekend, Nevada Ballet Theatre offers up the happily-ever-after magical fairytale Cinderella with an athletic Prince Charming literally dancing into the heart of the famously ragged servant. Composed by Sergei Prokofiev, it’s as sugary sweet as that box of chocolates you’re about to bust into.

February 13, 7:30 p.m.; February 14, 2 p.m., $29-$139. Smith Center's Reynolds Hall, 702-749-2012.

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