Galleria at Sunset

Las Vegas Artists Guild – Artists Helping Artists

The LVAG Gallery in the Galleria Mall is Permanently Closed!
New Gallery coming soon! 
Our Guild is still open for the Las Vegas Local Artists as we have been for 25 years.

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Latest LVAG News & Events

August Featured Artist: Nicole Cochener

nicole cochener
LVAG August 2020 Featured Artist Nicole Cochener

Artist Statement

In my art, I aim to blur the distinction between man-made and nature by combing recycled papers like newspaper, maps, tissue and sheet music with acrylic paint and other media to make paintings of the natural world. Each of my mixed media pieces are meant to be viewed on two levels. From across the room the finished image can be seen, but on closer inspection the many layers of hidden detail emerge. A simple rock becomes a map that reminds you of home. A flower petal is a sheet of music playing your favorite song. I create images of nature by recycling fragments of our modern disposable culture into the painting. On the surface my work is serene and peaceful, but the layers beneath show the chaos of our modern lives.

Artist Biography – Nicole Young Cochener

Nicole Young Cochener was born in 1980 in Wichita, Kansas. She is a mixed media artist who combines post-consumer materials and traditional fine art techniques to create her distinctive paintings. Her pieces combine layers of collaged paper, acrylic paint and other media to create representational images of the natural world, juxtaposing organic imagery and symbolism with our modern disposable culture.

From a young age, Nicole aspired to be an artist and began taking drawing and painting classes. She earned dual degrees in Art and Publications from Friends University and later studied Art Direction at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

Her artistic career began with creating graphics and video propaganda for the US Department of Defense. She also served as Creative Coordinator for the University of Kansas School of Medicine before opening her own business in San Francisco, Squishy Sushi, an eco-boutique featuring Nicole’s recycled jewelry and art. After a brief hiatus to start a family, Nicole moved to Las Vegas where she now creates her art full time.

Nicole’s work is included in private and corporate collections in over 20 countries worldwide. Her pieces have been featured by CNN, Marin Magazine, San Joaquin Magazine, Pregnancy and Newborn, Green Mom and more. She is an award winning artist and has won many distinctions including being named one of the 2019/2020 Art Pop billboard winners. Nicole currently owns her own gallery and working studio, Squishy Studio, located in the Las Vegas Arts District and has recently started Gallery to Go, a chain of upcycled vending machines featuring small artworks.

August Members’ Show

The LVAG is happy to announce the opening of the August Members’ Show. Come by the LVAG Gallery on the second level of the Galleria at Sunset during regular Mall hours and view the amazing work of our local artists.

For your protection and safety the following guidelines must be followed:
  • Masks/face coverings are required. NO EXCEPTIONS!
  • 6 foot Social Distancing while in the gallery.
  • If you have been exposed to COVID 19 or have any symptoms, please stay home and seek medical attention.

This month’s featured artist is Nicole Cochener, a long-time member of the LVAG.

Nicole will be available on Saturday, August 29th for a meet and greet with the artist. A limited number of guests will be allowed at one time, so please contact Nicole at 510-280-4901 and reserve your time. She’ll see you there.

About Nicole’s Art

In my art, I aim to blur the distinction between man-made and nature by combing recycled papers like newspaper, maps, tissue and sheet music with acrylic paint and other media to make paintings of the natural world. Each of my mixed media pieces are meant to be viewed on two levels. From across the room the finished image can be seen, but on closer inspection the many layers of hidden detail emerge. A simple rock becomes a map that reminds you of home. A flower petal is a sheet of music playing your favorite song. I create images of nature by recycling fragments of our modern disposable culture into the painting. On the surface my work is serene and peaceful, but the layers beneath show the chaos of our modern lives.

Categories: Archive Juried Show