Marjorie Barrick Museum

Need a break from the craziness of The Strip? Check out the only free art museum in the city of Las Vegas. Honoring the belief that everyone deserves access to the arts (five stars just for that!), the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art is part of the UNLV College of Fine Arts and features rotating exhibits of emerging and student artists. Formerly a gym on campus, it's now one large gallery space cleverly divided into smaller exhibitions. It didn't take us long to see everything. Afterward, we strolled through the beautiful Xeriscape Garden right outside. A peaceful break.Bonus: We scored free parking by visiting after 1:00pm on Friday.

Art in Las Vegas? You bet! We are so lucky to have this contemporary gallery right here on the UNLV campus where emerging artists are featured from all over as well as current art major students. Plus, there are multiple locations around the UNLV campus that feature art. Even though I attended this university, I had a hard time finding this museum. Thank goodness for helpful students. This museum is housed in the original UNLV gym but the ever changing art displays would never let one know that it was once a gym. There is no charge for admission and you are pretty much on your own to view the art unless you have booked a tour.I came to view "Sorry for the Mess" by Justin Favela and Ramiro Gomez. I was drawn to this exhibit as these two young artists collaborated to bring artwork about labor, childhood memories and life in Las Vegas. Being raised here in Las Vegas, I knew I would be able to relate to many of their pieces. I really enjoyed this exhibit and would definitely return again in the future for other shows.When visiting the UNLV campus, be sure to stop in here as you never know what might be on display.

Visiting this museum today and our wonderful tour guide is so helpful informing our group about the artists and the each individual piece of art here, all while keeping us on a tight time stamp. This is a real art gallery that even though is located on the UNLV campus. What a wonderful space too and all of the staff and students are always reminding the kids not to touch or lean, since allow a lot of tours for the public and such. It is interactive for the kiddos so very family oriented and they incorporate educational fun with two activities that they can reflect on; regular adults welcome to do this too. I did. Such a beautiful gallery that is one of the oldest on UNLV campus, this used to be the original gym. In fact, the gym floor is the main gallery and creaks when one walks. But is so very nostalgic that they have up kept it for so long. The art is amazing and it changed about three times a year. My favorite piece was the Estrada piece. It is Spanish for Stardust, and it is the emotional connection that the artist shares with the community. Also, to mention all of the artists that have art pieces or work here were somehow part of the Vegas at one time or still are.

The Barrick Museum is one of the best places to catch amazing contemporary art in Las Vegas. This is likely one of the only museums in the city that not only exhibits work from its celebrated and recognized MFA students, but it brings in exhibits from emerging artists from all over. Located in the University's old gym, there seems to be a unique aesthetic to the space itself. The original hardwood floors juxtapose against the uniquely designed ceiling. At one point, the museum only exhibited earlier man-made artifacts. Selections from this older collection can still be viewed in a specific section of the museum. The majority of the museum hosts a range of work from up-and-coming artists. Exhibits change a few times a year, so there is always reason to come back. Another reason to come back is for the great lecture-based programming held in the auditorium right outside the museum. The Art Department hosts lectures from other emerging artists that are usually free and open to the public. Many other lectures are hosted in the space as well.

One of the best art museums in the Valley with such a pleasant, welcoming, and intellectual staff! The museum's main exhibit changes about three times a year. Right now, the artist is Amanda P. (@alonglastname). Amanda is on a mission to tell others about her research in science, along with many others, by using art and design. There are so many multimedia pieces in her exhibit, "Connective Tissue" and a large portion of it is even hands on! My favorite part of the exhibit is the 3-D printed busts of women that each have their own QR code to scan and read more about each female Scientist and what she did.Outside of the exhibit, the Barrick Museum has a ton of other facilities including their garden and their lecture hall! CCSD teachers feel free to get in contact with the museum for a possible free tour today!

I continue to believe this in the untapped contemporary art gem in Las Vegas. I usually only go on Fridays, post 1PM, where you can really park in any spot out front and not get ticketed and in general is less busy. There is no charge for admission, so be it you are cash poor and need to go for free or you are well funded and are willing to toss in a few bucks into their donation box to show your support, both kinds of visitors are welcome. They seem to have all sorts of options for your kiddo's. Although I have no kiddo's and wish yours might be quiet while people like me are browsing around, I absolutely believe in exposing art to kids when they are young. To be honest though, I was recently in with my "guide daughter," who is 9 and we spent an hour and half in the space discussing art and ideas and interacting with the great pieces hanging on the wall. Contemporary art is a natural fit for kids and creativity, right?The contemporary art shows I see when I am in town are top notch. Really special cool stuff not seen by enough people, SO GO! This museum is also the perfect size. Not too big and takes up a whole day and not too small to be unimportant for you to make the effort to get over the UNLV to see it. I love it! Although I live full time out of the country, I love that this museum is here and remains such a spectacular memory to my visits back to Las Vegas. I will never come to Las Vegas and not visit.

Got art? If you like going to galleries, don't overlook this little gem! The back part of the gallery focuses on historic art, while the front always has new and trending artists. It is a must see if you are in town for a bit!

I haven't spent a lot of time at the museum displays. Rather, I often to to the Barrick for the UNLV Forum lecture series.The museum is small as others have pointed out, but it's exhibits are wonderful. I love the little sand digging option for youngsters to enjoy and learn while digging in sand.There's a new exhibit starting in two days called "Visions of Peru." I'll have to stop in and see it.The curators have a sense of community and humor. Here's a quote about an upcoming event:March 14, 2011 - March 18, 2011Location: Marjorie Barrick MuseumPlants Vacation @ the Museum during Spring BreakThe Museum invites you to give your houseplant a vacation during Sping Break for a cultural retreat for plants. Throughout the week participants plants will be housed in the light flooded lobby, and presented with a series of musical events for plants.The drop off date will be March 14, and the pick-up will be on March 18. Please e-mail [email protected] with the subject line 'PLANT VACATION' to tell us if you are interested in giving your plant a vacation.

Small but professional art museum hidden away on the UNLV campus- adjacent lot is reached via Harmon, building is between the WRI and the Environmental Sciences. Come on a Saturday (open noon to five) for better luck with parking.Admission is free and I believe staff are students and volunteers. Shout out to the female employee with the classy English accent who gave incredibly detailed directions that allowed me to find a place I would otherwise have missed.

I loved visiting this museum! The art exhibits were interesting to learn about and fun to look at. I went on a field trip here and the lady who toured us around was very nice and asked us questions to kind of get us thinking instead of just showing us the art then moving on to the next one. Although I do wish we could have toured the whole museum, I'm overrall satisfied with the visit. I also liked the layout of the museum in general, the lighting and the quietness of the room was very calming and nice to be in. Might visit again if I can!!