The Arts Factory

Go here. You could get lost for few hours. I recommend even coming alone and wandering. Take yourself in a date for an hour and browse local artists and talk to the gallery and shop owners. Its a really beautiful building on its own. Little door ways passing each other you can pop in and out of. From the inside it slightly reminds me of the top floor of the Last Bookstore down town LA.
You can also take a Yoga class with Cheryl. She is a goddess. Or a west African dance class with Corinthia.
There’s a skate shop, comic book store, clothing shop, and Visit Dr. Leppers gallery in the South wing you’ll be very pleased you did. Lots of events here. They’re in the process of opening a pub. Its near the artifice in the time being. They just need coffee and it would be perfect. :)

Mainly stop by here for vintage bike night. It’s a cool meet up spot and while there maybe not be tons of vintage who cares it’s good people who ride. They have food, drinks and friendly people. And you’ll catch a few shovels and pans and the occasional knuck or old bonnie. Scope or out and make some new friends.

Yesterday I made my first visit to the ARTS FACTORY, while there I discovered HELL POP COMICS. I will be back. Nice selection, reasonable prices and the man behind the counter, Shane, very friendly and helpful.

Came here for a photography exhibition my friend was in. What a fantastic time!
I’m so upset my friend didn’t win, he so deserved it, but we all had a good time. Lots and LOTS of food and drinks, and free?! Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat! That was insane. The art was cool to look at, but I really was only interested in his photo. The place was completely packed, and at some points it was frustrating, but what do you expect when there’s free wine, beer and food? The food was pretty tasty, well, the few items I tried. The wine was nice as well. I would love to come back for another exhibit. This was way cool (junior…anyone get that reference?)

I have seen this place evolve from the ground up I am happy that Vegas has a place like this. First Friday would not be a success with out it. I admire the unique artist shows. I love how it is constantly changing and opening itself up to the community, more of this place all over Vegas would be a golden reawakening. I wish this place and similar galleries much success.

To talk with friends in New York, Philadelphia, or San Francisco they’d lead you to believe that Las Vegas has no culture — an obvious lie to anyone who has seen a show, attended a play, or visited some of the new galleries at places like City Center, Emergency Arts, or The Arts Factory. Sure there are obvious differences between the cultures of this city and that of old classics like those listed above, but with variety the spice of life I’d almost argue that Vegas is every bit on par with all but perhaps New York in terms of diversity and ²⁴⁄₇ ‘things to do.’ All in all a great place with a decent enough collection of art the average person can potentially afford, plus a decent restaurant in Bar + Bistro and a number of clever local shops I’ve now been here thrice and walked away with something each and every time — from a pig magnet made from a cola can to a piece of fine art, plus some really excellent French Toast.

I have been to Las Vegas a handful of times in the past 10 years or so and this was the first time I have gotten off of The Strip and gotten to experience the artistic side of Vegas.
The Art Factory was fantastic as nd thd bar bistro (review to follow) was pretty yummy too.
There are some incredibly talented artists here in vegas and I look forward to following a The Art Factory website as well as the Trifecta Gallery website too (review to follow).

This places gets a 3 for the art quality, but gets bumped up to a 4 for being connected to Bar + Bistro — ergo, you get to tote a glass of wine while you interpret the art — and having a wide variety of galleries. The building is also a piece of art in itself, an old building turned into a maze of galleries. It has a real DIY feel to it. Unfortunately, the quality inside those galleries is very hit-​or-​miss (probably because DIY = amateur). Still, I have always had a great time on every visit. If you want a drunk/​party atmosphere then go on First Friday. If you want a more enjoyable and chill experience, pick another time to go.

Unilocal 100 Challenge * ⁴⁹⁄₁₀₀
4 years down the road in Vegas and I finally got to participate in the 1^st Friday Festivities! I don’t know how many times my friends and I said ‘wow’ that night — from of the amazing art as well as the parking! Expect to drive around for a while looking for a spot but once that’s done, I assure you that whatever the Arts Factory has to offer will make up for it.
First Friday adventures are better off unplanned. Just head in here and go with the flow, improvise, slip in and out of numerous galleries, chat with the artists and enjoy the live music outside. A handful of the art presented circled around re-​using recycled materials — from bangles, purses, fridge magnets, capri sun bags etc. — such a delight for those of us who love to nurture our environment! Another gallery featured melted crayons that dripped down a paper and 1000 paper cranes that lined a ceiling. There was so much symbolism and so many deep stories behind the colorful canvas.
There’s always something for every-​one! Already looking forward to my next 1^st Friday!

Just recovered from another fun First Friday at the Arts Factory.
Had some friends in town and brought them through the Arts Factory to show them a good time hitting First Friday.
I like to start at the southern part of First Friday near the Stratosphere and work my way up past the music stages, locals artists, beef jerky stands and organic food trucks through the chaos and sea of punks, hipsters, goths, emos, gangsters, hippies and granolas. (I’m a big people watcher!)
I like to stop at Artifice for a Stella, then with my plastic cup in hand, head over to The Arts Factory to see what’s new!
I love how the spaces are dynamic and changing every time that I visit for a First Friday! I have so much fun! I’m originally from Seattle and we have a 1^st Thursday, ut its much more spread out (and rainy) in Seattle, so we always end up staying in the same building.
I love exploring all the nooks and crannies and finding new artists posted up. I love walking though the Graffiti/​Japanese inspired doll stores, checking out the new stencil art, wandering outside to listen to some live jams, and check out all the cool tents with always different artists hocking their wares. I really enjoy the diversity of people, and the über-​relaxed ability to drink on the go and have a good time in general. I’m never bored and almost never end up where I think I’m going to.
I like how the other building involved are just a stone’s throw away. The drink prices are about the same as a bar, and in some cases in teeny tiny plastic cups not worth the price. Some of the food is expensive so make sure to bring some cash with you for those spur of the moment purchases.
I spent a lot of time dancing in the Captial Arts Center to the DJ spinning Electro, a lot of the night, donating to the donation Champagne (that gave me heartburn), but definitely had a blast as always, and my friends get a taster of non-​strip Vegas. I almost try to sway my friends into coming the weekends of first Fridays just so I have more excuse to come out.
I’m definitely going to bring more money with me next time and snag some of the dope original T-​shirts on display, and some of those cool figurines in the Animé Shop.
After I’ve had my art fill, I usually walk across the street to the Artifice and dance to the DJ’s spinning late 90’s hip hop, rap, feelgood and EDM to round out the night.
Cheers!
~MikeB

One-​stop shop for all kinds of cool things to do downtown! Art? (Duh). There are several galleries here with a wide variety of styles to enjoy. Vegan-​friendly dining (or meat, if you must)? Bar and Bistro has you covered! They’ll also hook you up with booze, and great dog-​friendly patio. Yoga? Blue Sky has classes every day, drop in, for donation! Need some personal grooming? The awesome Hilary Salon is on the 2^nd floor, and provides a variety of service for men, women, and kiddos. That’s why I look so good, y’all! Feeling whimsical? There are awesome toy, jewelry, and comic shops there as well! (Panda Toys, Hiptazmic, HellPop).
It’s a the cool place to be on First Friday for live musical performances and drinks. (But if you really like art and want to appreciate it, go on preview Thursday to beat the crowds and enjoy the special Thursday happy hour and B&B!)

On opening day of the very first First Friday, I remember stepping foot in this place and hating every minute of walking through cluttered spaces and crowded hallways. Fast forward 10 years later, and now I’m writing a Unilocal review on how I’d recommend visiting it.
The Arts Factory has changed much since I first visited. Each of the galleries that I’ve visited haven’t made me claustrophobic. No more stark walls, but works of art and murals now bless the hallways. It’s much more inviting and makes you want to stay and explore each gallery.
There’s two levels to the Arts Factory. Each floor has several galleries, but the first has a restaurant called Bar + Bistro (
) and several stores, such as, Happy Panda Toys (
), a comic book shop, and a jewelry shop. Artwork and other items can also be purchased from some of the artists at their galleries.
First Friday draws big crowds, but the Thursday before doesn’t. Preview Thursday allows artists to provide a sneak peek of their artwork before the official public viewing on Friday. Visiting on Thursday provides a much more intimate experience because you can speak with the artists.
The only downside to this place is the parking. You can choose to street park or park in the lot across the street which is shared with other businesses. This lot can fill up fast, and it’s also a pain having to exit this place because there’s only one exit — unless you want to drive over the sidewalk, but that’s not a good idea.
The Arts Factory has come a long way, but I’m happy to see how it’s evolved. It’s become a place I look forward to visiting every first Thursday of the month.

I just LOVE the vibe here. Come here with an open mind, though, because a lot of people come here to be themselves. On Wednesdays the patio is very busy and I have seen fire spinners and hula hoopers many times.
The drink prices are average, 5 to 6 bucks for a good sized beer. The inside is beautiful and I cannot comment on the food except that it is expensive.
The back opens up to an area with art galleries and can be pretty cool depending on what’s currently being shown.
I recommend this place to anyone that is interested in trying something off the strip!

The Arts Factory is a cool place to hang out and procure some amazing art and other oddities. There is of course your normal awesome paintings and canvas works of art, but there is also an eclectic mix of other forms of «art» and fun things. Hiptazmic studio which is full of awesome upcycled/​recycled jewelry and décor items, along with original art pieces, tshirts, engraved tags, patches and more. Happy Panda toys with it’s awesome vinyl toy collection, they also throw release parties where you can come in and trade with other fanatics. Then there is Hell Pop, they have a great comic and alternative book selection!
The Arts Factory has a little bit for everyone with the variety of items within its walls. Bar and Bistro the restaurant is also worth a visit, the pizzas are tastyriffic! Best time to come down and check things out is on First Friday, not only is the AF hopping but there is a plethora of booths and other happenings in the immediate area for your perusing pleasure.

I am in love with this place. Even though the service can sometimes be slow, the wait for food is completely worth it. Whenever friends come to visit from out of town I take the here. The price is reasonable and they have a great tapas menu everyone can share! I went there with friends from NYC who were used to paying prices on the strip and outrageous food prices in the city. All three of us ate dinner for $ 48, they loved it!
Additionally they have an art gallery right around the corner you can enjoy before or after eating.
One the side note, a must try is the sweet potato fries!

Back in 2010, Unilocal Las Vegas was just gettin’ started and The Trifecta Gallery in The Arts Factory was the venue of my first Elite event. I wasn’t even Elite status yet, and knew no one but Misti was nice enough to invite me and my wifey to see how the Vegas Elites get down!
Fast forward a couple of years later, tons of new artwork, shops, and exhibits to check out. Aside from all the art galleries, there is a drop-​in yoga studio, you could take guitar lessons and art classes here, and even pick up comics, graffiti supplies, and sweet vinyl toys here.
We first stopped inside The Trifecta Gallery next to the yoga studio and the lady running the gallery and her jack russel terrier greeted us at the door and was very informative in explaining
various displays, who the artist was, and a little backstory to the artist and his/​her artwork.
One very eye-​catching piece was a beautiful tapestry of the Las Vegas Strip (Circa 2007) done by an artist who went by the name SOLA (Alone in Spanish). It took about 8,000 hours over the span of 3 years to complete using recycled sweaters of Las Vegas residents emphasizing the community focus of her work. Literally living out of her rolling suitcase, she travels from city to city setting up in pop-​up studios and purchasing furnishings from thrift stores and gives them back when she leaves. The leftover material is turned into knit hats which generate income that SOLA lives off of. As soon as a donor is found, this tapestry will be hung up in City Hall. Her 40 tapestries can be seen in 10 cities and are absolutely beautiful!
We went upstairs and also got to chat with other local artists while creating their latest masterpieces. We also got to see a work in progress of a beautiful colorful Tibetan sand painting
which takes an eye for detail and a VERY steady hand.(Sorry, no photos allowed for this one… gotta check it out yourself!)
A great place to see what else is going on in our community, stop by if you’re ever in the area, you’ll be glad you did… ALOHA!!!
Unilocal 365 CHALLENGE-(221/365) «Mixed Media»

I was at the Arts Factory tonight for a benefit concert. The room was set up for about 25 people which was just right. Parking was easy. On First Friday’s, the whole area must be filled with cars.
I walked around and looked at the pieces on the wall. Some showed lots of talent and caught my eye. Others just didn’t appeal, but that’s art.
I agree with the previous poster about the temperature. It got a bit warm after the first ½ hour.
I’m glad I know more about the place. I want to go back and try the Bar + Bistro.

I recently attended a party at the Arts Factory. It is definitely a fantastic location. Easy to find and the parking wasn’t terrible, but I can see how it could get pretty bad for larger events. The lot is a bit dark, so I’d probably recommend a tad more lighting out there for safety.
Our party was in the upstairs loft area of the building and it was quite spacious. There was tons of room for everyone to mingle, admire the art and enjoy the band that was playing. My only complaint was the temperature was a bit hot and there wasn’t much ventilation.
All in all, it was a good experience and I’ll probably return for future events.

What can I say about the Art Factory… well:
I LOVE…
— How they have events such as First Friday and the Beerfest in July.
— How they feature local artists.
— How eclectic and diverse the art that’s on display.
— How it brings locals together for good times.
I HATE…
— Parking… it’s always a giant mess for big events.
— The location… when it gets busy, it can get squirrely on the roads around the building and people don’t pay attention… it’s a fender bender waiting to happen.
So, I guess when you weigh all those factors, I give it 4 Stars.
Will I return? For the next fun event, sure!

Went here for Alex Pardee and David Correia’s Sketch 4 A Sketch tour with special guest Vic Back. I was very stoked to meet Alex (that’s putting it lightly — I’m ridiculously obsessed with his artwork) and the venue was perfect for this tour. Big big props to the owners who let them come here on seemingly short notice to do their sketches and sell their wares.
The actual location is very cool, and there is art EVERYWHERE inside. It actually does kind of look like a factory too with the unfinished ceilings with piping, but a very upscale one. I looked around before Alex got there at some of the work on display and saw ranges from $ 200 to $ 6500 (yikes). Although not completely affordable in my budget, a lot of the pieces were very beautiful and from up-​and-​coming artists which of course I would like to support.
I mostly stayed on the second floor where the tour was held which was very spacious with white walls and light wood floors, and a small bar area.
The space was nice and it is definitely inspiring to see such an eclectic variety of work in one place. I am very glad that Alex Pardee and the Zerofriends crew decided to make this the place for their Las Vegas leg of the tour.