Local artist finds unique niche

With so many new homes and new homeowners looking for unique ways to decorate them, Las Vegas is an ideal spot for creators and designers of custom artwork.

And Summerlin resident Bruce Sulzberg thinks he's got just the thing.

Sulzberg is the creator and artist behind Sulzberg Dimensions, a custom art business specializing in three-dimensional paintings on layered acrylic surfaces that are built right into homes, businesses, restaurants and pretty much anywhere else the client wants it.

Sulzberg has been working as an artist for eight years, but a trip to New York showed him a new direction.

"In 1995 I was exhibiting at the New York Art Expo, and I was excited because I had gotten in it on my first try," he said. "Then I was working mostly in oil paintings, abstracts. I didn't sell a single one.

"So one day I decided to just walk to the show, and see what everyone else was doing. It really introduced me more to the business side of art, and the concept of 3-D art on glass was born soon after. What I wanted do just wasn't being done by anyone else."

Sulzberg switched his concept from glass to acrylic, because the paint adheres much better and looks more striking on the acrylic surface. He began painting more than just the abstracts he had focused on, branching off into commercial requests such as Italian landscapes, Napa-influenced wine portraits and even sports figures.

The three-dimensional aspects worked well in all different themes, and Sulzberg eventually recruited assistance from designers and even architects to start his business.

Most of the pieces range from four to seven feet, and are designed to fit not only the mood and atmosphere of a client's home or business, but to literally fit right into the walls.

"They really can change a whole room. The pieces attract a lot of attention because it's not something you see much," Sulzberg said. "It's not a piece of art hanging on the wall because it fits into the wall, like a window. And then the 3-D effect of all the layers comes in and really makes it unique. It really alters the physical aesthetics of a room or house."

Sulzberg isn't stopping with the walls. He can create all different sizes of art for floors, doors or ceilings, and is looking to expand his services past residential to larger businesses such as hotels and resorts.

Sulzberg Dimensions is already up and running in San Francisco and Las Vegas, and a new division is under development in Los Angeles. The blooming business success is a little unexpected for the artist, but not at all restrictive.

"It's really exploding," he said. "It's not what I thought I'd be doing, but I really like working with customers and seeing how they react to the process and the finished product. I think artistically, I'm happier than ever. The response is great for me because I know I'm creating something truly unique for my clients, and that's hard to find."


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