About Us:
The Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery, University of Nevada Las Vegas hosts an outstanding and diverse schedule of changing exhibitions throughout the year. Whether one-person shows, group shows, theme shows or competitions, the exhibits feature work by regionally and nationally recognized contemporary artists as well as UNLV faculty, and students. Past exhibitions included such artists as Peter Alexander, Ed & Linda Blackburn, Karen Carson, David Geise, Luis Jimenez, David Levinthal, Hung Liu, Richard Misrach, Ellen Phelan, David Reed, Larry Rivers, Jim Shaw, Wayne Thiebaud, and Robert Zakanitch.
The gallery also hosted exhibitions organized by Crayola Crayon, Inc., American College Theater Festival, and the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts. The Donna Beam Gallery also manages three satellite galleries on campus: the Jessie Metcalf Gallery, located in the Richard Tam Alumni Center featuring the work of UNLV alumni, faculty and students; and the lobbies of the Artemus Ham Concert Hall and the Judy Bayley Theater. Each venue hosts exhibits of the work of individual artists or small group shows. The mission of UNLV and the Donna Beam Gallery is to provide a setting whereby individuals can "acquire the knowledge and common experiences that enhance critical thinking, leadership skills, aesthetic sensitivity, and social integrity."
The gallery's focus is on the "critical thinking," and "aesthetic sensitivity" elements of the university's mission. The gallery supports those ideals by drawing upon resources available from scholars and critics in the field for its exhibitions, publications and lectures. The focal point of the gallery is on contemporary art with emphasis on content, concept and craft in diverse media. The gallery is capable of attracting artists from across the United States to fulfill its objectives. The primary goal is to educate our audience, and also to excite, enlighten and entertain. The number of exhibitions hosted in any given year varies f=rom seven to 15.
The gallery also serves as classroom and laboratory for students learning gallery management practices. An art gallery has been part of the university campus since 1969. First situated in Archie C. Grant Hall, it was relocated in 1981 to the Alta Ham Fine Arts Building. It has since been remodeled and enlarged, and the name it now carries is in honor of the daughter of Thomas Beam, the benefactor whose generous donation made the expansion possible. The Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery is devoted to providing a year-round, visual arts center for the UNLV academic community, residents of the Las Vegas metropolitan area, and visitors to the city. The gallery is open to the public on a regular basis throughout the year with no admission charged.
Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM and by special arrangement for groups. The gallery is closed Sundays and holidays.
