Important Old Vegas painting surfaces

Aug. 28, 2009 - PRLog -- Katherine Gianaclis was an eccentric in many ways. The foremost muralist in Las Vegas during the 1960s, she shunned her paints in 1973 to open a Bible store.


Dr. James Mann, former curator of the Las Vegas Art Museum, was openly pleased and amazed at his "discovery" of Gianaclis. Although an historically important artist for Las Vegas itself,  the work she did in the 1960s while raising three small children especially  impressed him. He said that her presence as an artist in  "old" Las Vegas is an important fact that proves that "great art" was being cultivated during this time of growth for the city.

"She is an artist of the highest order," said Mann.

She would pick up her paints again in 1996 with a newfound joy, but she had left the bulk of her earlier works stored away in a closet. Gianaclis passed away in 1999. The murals eventually fell victim to Vegas' renovations.

While it was assumed that all of her murals were gone, one of her  old Las Vegas works was recently discovered, a massive mural/oil painting commissioned by The Copper Cart Restaurant, a prime rib house that used to sit next to the Riviera. An employee of the restaurant acquired it after the restaurant closed. He has kept it stored away in mint condition for forty years.

The painting is of an Elizabethan woman. It is done in classical style. While it may be a reproduction (the family is not sure), its importance to the history of Las Vegas is immense. It is the last remaining Gianaclis  commissioned from Old Vegas and the Ratpack Era.  

gianaclis.com    gianaclis64@yahoo.com