Winchester Cultural Center Gallery
3130 McLeod Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89121
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
(702) 455-7340, winchestergallery@ClarkCountyNV.gov
Supervisor: Mickey Sprott
Public Arts presents
DESERT POOLS Exhibiting: August 11 – October 8, 2026
Reception: Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 5:30 – 7:30 PM
About the Exhibition
DESERT POOLS brings together local and national artists to explore humanity’s relationship with water in the Mojave Desert. The exhibition features artworks that reflect on presence, absence, and memory of water—from vanishing lakes to backyard pools. Visitors are invited to consider how water shapes our landscape, lives, and sense of place.
The exhibition asks:
• How do we experience water in the desert?
• What personal and collective memories are tied to pools, lakes, and springs?
• How does scarcity reshape our connection to nature?
• What stories emerge from water’s presence—and absence?
Through painting, sculpture, photography, installation, and mixed media, artists share perspectives on adaptation, resourcefulness, nostalgia, and the evolving identity of the desert southwest.
Exhibiting Artists
The exhibition features original artwork by Cory Harper, Diane Bush, Esmí O'Arte, Yoandy Hernandez, Joice Gabriela, April Bermudez, Jack Bordnick, Meghan Dragon, Zeb, Psychedelicchola, Linda Shafer, Cat Ricketts, Jamie Zepeda, Aura Z, Chetna D'Souza, Jenna Watson, Heidi Prall, Louise Ahrendt, Kathy Schuler, Jaiden Gaddy, Davin Gaddy, Deagan Kenny, Emma Frank, Laura Averill, Joyce Rainbow Art, Andres Rave, Teri Pastorino, T Baca, AerynClare Gaddy, Narz Dela Rosa, Ruby Cisneros, Cesar Ceballos, Isaac Mejia, Karen Buford, Christine de Lota. Artists are encouraged to make their work available for purchase. All sales are handled directly by the artist.
Hikmet Loe is an educator, writer, and curator whose research examines the changeable nature of the earth, addressing perceptual and cultural constructs of the land. She teaches art history at UNLV with a focus on modern and contemporary art and criticism; land art and environmental art. Loe is the author of The Spiral Jetty Encyclo: Exploring Robert Smithson's Earthwork through Time and Place (2017). Her next book is The Sun Tunnels Encyclo: Exploring Nancy Holt's Earthwork through Perception and Site (2027).
Awards and Reception
Join us on Thursday, October 8, from 6:00–8:00 PM for the closing reception.
Awards will be announced at the event:
• Best in Show — $300 Desert Art Supplies Gift Certificate
• Honorable Mention — Two $150 Desert Art Supplies Gift Certificates
Meet the artists and learn more about the inspirations and stories behind their work.