Call for Artists: Lunar New Year Exhibition Year of the Goat

Issue Date: August 10, 2026 8:00 AM

Closing Date: December 2, 2026 6:00 PM

VISION AND MISSION 

The city of Las Vegas illuminates arts and culture and celebrates the bold, dynamic, and diverse community through providing access to artworks within city spaces and outdoors in the public realm. The city of Las Vegas' Public Art and Gallery Program serves valley residents and visitors, celebrating the city's extraordinary character, by acquiring and displaying artworks in public spaces and supporting community-led public art efforts.

DESCRIPTION

The City of Las Vegas Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs invites artists to submit work for the Lunar New Year Art Exhibition 2027, celebrating the Year of the Fire Goat. This exhibition will feature traditional and contemporary works inspired by the cultural and symbolic meanings of the Goat, a zodiac sign that represents creativity, compassion, harmony, resilience and artistic expression. Combined with the dynamic Fire element this year's theme also celebrates passion, transformation, confidence and the power of imagination to bring people together.

Selected artists will have the opportunity to exhibit their work at the Historic Fifth Street School Gallery. The exhibition will be open to the public from January through April 2027. All mediums are welcome for consideration.

This exhibition will be curated by artist David Fay. David is a Las Vegas assemblage sculptor whose work transforms forgotten objects into stories of imagination, hope, and possibility. Working almost exclusively with reclaimed industrial materials, vintage machinery, motorcycle parts, glass, and found objects, Fay creates sculptures that invite viewers to rediscover the wonder hidden within everyday things.

Throughout his career, his work has ranged from monumental public art installations and kinetic sculptures to deeply personal memorial pieces, all connected by a belief that creativity has the power to inspire, heal, and bring people together. Whether building towering retro-futuristic rockets, whimsical automata, or the crying typewriters of his signature Obsolete Series, he begins every sculpture with the same question: “What else could this become?”

Fay’s artwork has been exhibited throughout Las Vegas and beyond, earning numerous awards, including Best in Show at the Lunar New Year Exhibition for the Year of the Horse. That recognition led to the honor of serving as curator for the following year’s exhibition, an opportunity to celebrate the creativity and individual voices of fellow artists while helping shape a showcase that inspires artists and visitors alike.

At the heart of David Fay’s work is an enduring sense of childlike curiosity. His sculptures celebrate imagination without limits, blending nostalgia, humor, craftsmanship, and optimism into works that encourage viewers to dream bigger, smile more often, and never stop believing that extraordinary things can be created from the ordinary.

“Imagination is timeless. The stars are never out of reach if you’re willing to build your own rocket.”

—David Fay

Click here to see more information on the theme: Year of the Goat.

ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION

All artists, eighteen years of age or older, who can qualify to work for the city of Las Vegas shall be considered, excluding current city of Las Vegas employees. The exhibition will be juried by David Fay, a Las Vegas-based artist.

Submissions containing graphic depictions of violence, sexually explicit imagery, and/or nudity are highly discouraged. If selected, artists are responsible for all shipping and delivery costs. Shipped artwork must include a prepaid return shipping label and arrive by the artwork delivery deadline. The City of Las Vegas is not responsible for return shipping arrangements or late deliveries.

BUDGET

This is a non-stipend exhibition; however, artists will have the opportunity to showcase and sell their works to the public. Art sales are encouraged, and the city does not take commission from the sales.

GALLERY INFORMATION

Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. 4th St., Las Vegas, NV 89101

TO APPLY

Click here  to submit your application for the Year of the Horse Lunar New Year Exhibition. Artists are asked to submit the following documents and supporting materials electronically:

• Artist Statement: Please provide a written description of your artistic practice. The statement is for and in support of the artwork to provide the viewer with a greater understanding of the work.
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae: Please provide relevant employment, exhibition records, and information detailing your experience in the field of art.
• Images and Descriptions of Artworks: Please provide up to three (3) images of completed works of art. Image citations should include title, media, dimensions, price, and year completed. Only one submission will be accepted per artist. Artworks must be completed at the time of submission to be considered.

SCHEDULE:

Call for Artists Opens: Monday, August 10, 2026

Call for Artists Closes: Thursday, December 2, 2026 at 6 p.m.

Notifications Issued: Monday, December 21, 2026

Artwork Delivery: Monday, January 4, 2027

Exhibition on Display: January 18 through April 15, 2027 

Artwork Pickup: Monday, April 19, 2027

QUESTIONS?
We’re here to help! Please email if you have any questions.

Holly Lay, Visual Arts Specialist II
City of Las Vegas Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
Phone: 702 229-3278 or Email: [email protected]

Click here  to Submit your Application