In celebration of Older Americans Month May 2026, the city of Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Arts Commission are sponsoring the annual fine arts competition, “Celebrating Life!,” to recognize the talents of Southern Nevada artists ages 50 and better. This is the 26th year for this popular art competition for seniors.
A “meet-the-artists” reception and awards ceremony open to the public will be held Friday, May 29, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Charleston Heights Arts Center. The Best of Show winner will receive $500. First ($250), second ($150), third ($100) and honorable mention (plaque) awards are available in each category.
Eligible fine art media categories include: Drawing and Pastel; Painting (oil and acrylic); Mixed Media (printmaking, fiber art, collage, computer graphics, etc.); Photography (black and white, color, digital, electrophotography, etc.); Ceramic (both hand built and wheel thrown); Sculpture (non-ceramic); Watercolor and Gouache. The work must be ready for display, completed within the past three years and not previously juried into a Celebrating Life! exhibition.
This year’s guest juror, Lolita Develay, will select the artwork for the final exhibition, which will run from May 29 through Sept. 10, 2026, in the Charleston Heights Arts Center Ballroom.
Artists whose artwork is not juried into Celebrating Life! 2026 will have the option to have it displayed in the Salon des Refusés exhibit in the Charleston Heights Arts Center Gallery. This exhibit also will remain on display from May 29 through Sept. 10, 2026.