Las Vegas: Cirque du Soleil performers, crew show off their own art

A new Cirque du Soleil show opens Friday in Las Vegas without high-flying acrobatics, makeup or costumes. It’s a free exhibition titled “Parade: The Collective” that features paintings, photographs, mixed-media pieces and sculptures by more than 20 performers and staff in the U.S. and Canada.

“‘Parade’ is the support program established to provide encouragement and support for employees’ artistic pursuits and participation in cultural life outside their work at Cirque du Soleil,” a company statement said.

The artwork of rigging and wig technicians, production coordinators, wardrobe heads and other employees will be on display at the Trifecta Gallery until Jan. 30.

You may get to meet some of the artists too. The gallery will host a Late Until Eight series on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the following topics:

--A talk with artists about how they balance work in and outside the studio (Jan. 16).
--An evening of original music performed by Cirque musicians (Jan. 23).
--A Q&A with artists whose jobs affect their artwork (Jan. 30).

While you’re at the gallery, take time to check out the 7-by-11-foot tapestry of Las Vegas that is on display in the museum’s office. It took three years for an artist named Sola to complete her portrayal of the city, right down to the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign.

The gallery is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays (until 8 p.m. Thursdays), and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. weekends.

Info: Trifecta Gallery (inside the Arts Factory), 107 E. Charleston, No. 135; (702) 366-7001
Mary.Forgione@latimes.com

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