“Queen of the Arts” welcomes guests to the West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd. The 15-feet tall mirrored sculptures were created by renowned international artists Gus and Lina Ocampolsilva who describe the piece as “The two bold aluminum sculptures dynamically identify the thriving core of the arts community and welcome visitors to gather and embrace creative expression and proudly honor their roots.” It was selected by West Las Vegas community members in 2016 and completed in 2021. Funding was provided by the city and The Howard Hughes Corporation.
The project was proposed in 2016 to serve as a symbol and beacon of the arts opportunities happening at the center. A request for proposals was issued and a panel of seven community members helped select finalists. Three artists were selected to present their proposals to the public at a meeting held on June 8, 2017, at the West Las Vegas Arts Center. Members of the public were invited to see the artists proposals and to ask them questions and provide written commentary as well.
Based upon the feedback from the community meeting and discussions amongst the evaluation panel, one team of artists, Gus and Lina Ocamposilva, were selected to complete their “Queen of the Arts” project. The Ocamposilvas modified their designs in response to the evaluation panel and community multiple times, adjusting the entire design to be more aligned with the intent of the panelists, adjusting the symbolism depicted in the artwork to better represent the operations of the center and rearranging the placement of the sculptures so that the figures would be facing one another and welcoming, rather than facing away.
The sculptures were unveiled on April 15, 2021, and grace the entrance of the West Las Vegas Arts Center. Since its opening in 1995, the West Las Vegas Arts Center has amplified the voices, perspectives and talents of the community via a number of flagship arts program that honor and recognize African-American heritage. It is home to a number of arts programs for area residents of all ages with an emphasis on youth, and it provides pivotal opportunities for civil engagement and social just projects through the disciplines of arts education.