Museum director has plans

There can be no mistaking the fact that Mary Ann Lorenz is passionate about her work. As the new director of the Las Vegas Art Museum, housed inside the West Sahara Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave., she is eagerly looking forward to putting her mark on the facility, while keeping in mind the community's cultural makeup.

"We need to figure out what we should include and then go find the works," she said. "We have to think of the audience that's here. Las Vegas is very diverse. There's a large population of native Americans, Spanish, Asian-American and we run the gamut in age groups."

Lorenz said the museum had made good strides in the past and she applauded her predecessor's work. Now it is her job to take it to the next step. If her unbounded energy continues at its present pace, it should not be a tough goal to reach.

"Ten years ago, people said an art museum wouldn't go in Las Vegas," she said. "People like the former director Joe Palermo and curator Dr. James Mann, they did small but significant exhibitions. Their efforts got a good response, so people thought, 'OK, maybe this city can support a museum of some significance.' "

She said she wants to bring more children into the art museum and plans to hold events as the recent family day for the Rodin exhibit, where children had a chance to do hands-on sculpting and a story teller brought to life facts about the artist and his works. She jumped up to grab art books to show the art pieces she hoped to include.

Having the art museum housed inside the library, besides benefitting from the $1-per-year rent agreement, makes good sense, she noted.

"At public libraries, you find lots of families, lots of mothers bringing their children in to get books," she said. "We provide people with information, too. The primary function of an art museum is education (just like the library)."

After suggesting a look at Rodin's pieces, her exuberance for her new position and Rodin's work became readily apparent. She raced from one sculpture to another, pointing to features, remarking on the expressions. Her rapid tour continued as she went from room to room, searching for the sculptures that captured Rodin's various emotions, racing from one piece to another. Her gestures became expansive and bold as she imitated pulling at the lines, pointing to where Rodin's hands purposely left claw-like scratches from his fingers. She commented on the passion displayed in his work. How he culled his art from images he found in Michelangelo's paintings in the Sistine Chapel. How he obsessed over Dante's "Inferno" so much that he always kept a copy of in his pocket for instant reference.

For all her enthusiasm, it is notable that Lorenz did not show any real interest in art until she was in high school. A native of Denver, she grew up the consummate Colorado youngster, spending as many as six hours a day at the skating rink (she competed with some success) and on the ski slopes. It was not until she was required to do a report on a famous French artist that a spark for art was lit inside her.

"I did a report on Renoir and that was it, that's what started all this," she said, throwing up her hands. Then she laughed, "It's odd because now, I don't really care for his work."

Lorenz came to Las Vegas via Billings, Mont., where she was director of a "gem of a museum," but one that lacked the opportunity to really make a difference. When she saw the opening in Las Vegas ...

"I thought, 'Whoa, here's the fastest growing city on the U.S. what a great place to be, with an unlimited opportunity for growth,' " she said.

"I have a two-year contract, but I'll be here as long as they'll have me," she said.

The Art Museum can be reached at 360-8000.