I hear that they also have other attractions in Vegas, like gaming.  And shopping, and fabulous restaurants, and pools with plenty of sunshine.\n\nHowever, my primary reason for visiting Vegas is the art. I first attended the Impressionist show at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art about five years ago, and was duly impressed and surprised by the scholarship and selection of the work.  As a former museum professional, it made sense that Vegas would have the money to pay for the crating, insurance, and exhibition of priceless works of art.  Having worked at a major Modern art museum, it was also a pleasant surprise to use the audio tour to hear the level of scholarship that was available to the casual art viewer.\n\nI have seen every show at the gallery since the first show. My first stop in Vegas is this gallery, now that the Guggenheim branch at the Venetian is closed.  I do, however, miss the voice overs of the likes of Jeremy Irons on the audio tours that the Guggenheim used to feature.  There is nothing like well-written art scholarship read with passionate restraint.\n\n One of my particular favorite shows was on Early Modernism in America, from the vital beginnings of Post World War II art in New York, and featured an array of works that must have been hard to locate and assemble.  The exhibitions here, although limited because of the gallery size, are focused and sophisticated.\n\nI do use either the teacher, or local discount for admission, so it reduces the price.  However, as an art history teacher, I have had to buy museum memberships in order to see large shows at major museums, not to mention the added costs of parking and transportation to reach destination cities.   This small, easily accessible gallery is ideal.\n\nThis gallery also accomplishes the egalitarian task of displaying work to everyone, not just the art lover who takes the time to visit a museum.\nThese shows are well worth the price of admission for an hour or so in the company of cultural artifacts that represent the highest aspirations of mankind.\n\nThe book store also has some unique, scholarly books that feature the work shown in the gallery, so a visit there after the show is always rewarding.