The End of the P3Studio Artist Residency Era
Many thanks to JK Russ for compiling this image archive documenting artists' projects from the P3Studio Artist Residency program at the Cosmopolitan over the course of the last five years. An earlier version of this piece was originally published by HuffingtonPost.com; here Russ has expanded on that piece with the addition of several more Settlers.
11pm Sunday January 3, 2016 is when the doors of P3Studio at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas closed for the last time. The final residency project titled Shelf Life by New York artists Kate Gilmore and Franklin Evans reminded us that everything has a limited life span. The vibrant installation made from collected objects and images – with contributions by studio visitors – was a rainbow-hued explosion of color. But like a flock of parrots winging through the trees, it was a breath-taking vision for a moment and then gone.
A working art studio in a resort on the Las Vegas Strip is certainly an unusual concept, but since opening in December 2010, The Cosmopolitan has built a reputation for delivering an innovative contemporary art experience for guests. Although many Strip resorts display art, the decision to partner with New York’s respected Art Production Fund has set The Cosmopolitan apart.
The first partnership project transformed the resort’s underground parking levels with commissioned site-specific murals by artists Shepard Fairey, RETNA, Kenny Scharf and Shinique Smith and the PAUSE public art program continues to utilize the property’s large-scale LED signs as sites for digital artworks. P3Studio however, was designed to offer an interactive experience for hotel guests, with each project incorporating participatory components.
The residency program has introduced many visiting artists to Las Vegas, and has also featured many local artists. I haven’t managed to visit all the month-long residencies, but have documented quite a few of them and have collated these end-of-an-era tribute images. The full roster of resident artists can be viewed here.
Although The Cosmopolitan has announced the P3Studio space will be converted into a restaurant due to open late 2016, they are “currently looking at new locations” for the studio. Perhaps future hotel guests may also have the opportunity to contribute their own personal touches to a unique Las Vegas Strip art experience.
JK Russ
January 2016
New Zealand-born artist and curator JK Russ relocated to Las Vegas in 2010. Based downtown, she enjoys being walking distance from galleries, cafes and live performance venues and is often seen with camera in hand, documenting local arts events. New Zealand-born artist and curator JK Russ relocated to Las Vegas in 2010. Based downtown, she enjoys being walking distance from galleries, cafes and live performance venues and is often seen with camera in hand, documenting local arts events.
Scroll down to view the archive.
1Shelf Life, Kate Gilmore & Franklin Evans, December 9, 2015 – January 3, 2016. Image by JK Russ.
When the Night Comes, Mikayla Whitmore, November 11 – December 6, 2015. Image courtesy the artist.
@p3glassart, Brent Sommerhauser, August 12 – September 13, 2015. Image courtesy the artist.
Retrofit Painting, Thomas Willis, July 15 – August 9, 2015. Image by JK Russ.
Collaboration/Exchange, Lucky DeBellevue, March 11 – April 12, 2015. Image by JK Russ.
The Octave of Visible Light: A Meditation Nightclub, Lia Chavez, January 7 – February 8, 2015. Image by JK Russ.
House of Paper Birds, JK Russ, December 10, 2014 – January 04, 2015. Image courtesy the artist.
5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1, Mark Brandvik, November 5 – December 7, 2014. P3Studio featured on the digital marquee. Image courtesy the artist.
Piñatatopia, Justin Favela, September 10 – October 5, 2014. Image by JK Russ.
Face 2 Face, Todd Duane Miller and JW Caldwell, July 16 – August 10, 2014. Image by JK Russ.
Marking Territory, Alisha Kerlin, December 11, 2013 – January 19, 2014. Image courtesy the artist.
A Sum of Harmonies, Field Kallop, November 13 – December 8, 2013. Image by JK Russ.
New Citadel, David Sanchez Burr, August 21 – September 15, 2013. Image courtesy the artist.
Body Imaging, Abby Robinson, July 19 – August 18, 2013. Image by JK Russ.
An Open-Ended Narrative, Su Limbert and Sierra Slentz, June 20 – July 12, 2013. Image by JK Russ.
The Lion Who Liked Strawberries, Tamar Ettun, May 16 – June 16, 2013. Image by JK Russ.
Jason Adkins, January 09 - February 10, 2013. Image courtesy the artist.
Eloise Fornieles, November 7 – December 2, 2012. Image by JK Russ.
The Pageant of the Amuse Bouche, Wendy Kveck, May 11 – June 10, 2012. Image by Logan Pochatko.
The Bumbys, March 8 – April 1, 2012. Image by JK Russ. Untitled (Bedroom), Leor Grady, February 20 - March 04, 2012. Image by JK Russ.
Untitled (Bedroom), Leor Grady, February 20 - March 04, 2012. Image by JK Russ.