Intersection

Heads up: Clark County’s ‘Centered’ public-art program is complete

Image
Luis Varela-Rico’s “Norte y Suerte” has changed the look of Eastern Avenue just south of the 215.
Photo: Mikayla Whitmore

If you’ve exited the eastbound 215 at Eastern Avenue recently, you’ve surely noticed them—two massive, black-metallic heads rising from the median, as if giants were emerging from the earth. Titled “Norte y Suerte,” they’re the work of Las Vegas artist Luis Varela-Rico, and they mark the final chapter of Clark County’s “Centered,” a 10-site public-art project intended to beautify traffic islands around town with work by Chris Bauder, Kd Matheson and Miguel Rodriguez, among others.

“We started seeing false plants and animals popping up on medians, so this was the art committee’s response—instead of those prefabricated items, to put some legitimate art there,” says Mickey Sprott, cultural supervisor for public art within the County’s parks and recreation department. And the response? “A range of different opinions,” she says. “Some people love the pieces; some don’t understand them. That’s what public art is all about, the start of that conversation.”

Share
Photo of Spencer Patterson

Spencer Patterson

Get more Spencer Patterson
  • Organizers praise "an amazing event" for the Sin City 8 weekender despite multiple venue changes, vow to try again in 2019.

  • Organizers announce move to "undisclosed location" hours before record attempt, citing privacy issues and difficulties with hosting sex events in Las Vegas.

  • The event was previously scheduled to take place at Embassy Suites during the Sin City 8 weekend.

  • Get More Intersection Stories
Top of Story