Those who have visited "BODIES ... The Exhibition" at the Tropicana during the last few months might have noticed artists with their sketch pads, drawing unobtrusively from the corners of the rooms.
"BODIES" is having an art contest, called the Artist's Eye, asking anyone with a flair for drawing and painting to find inspiration in the display.
The "BODIES" exhibition shows visitors the inner workings of human biology, using 21 actual deceased individuals preserved with breakthrough science. More than 260 organs and partial body specimens also are shown in the exhibit.
The artists could choose to sketch the entire human body, or just focus on various parts or isolated systems. Similarly, they can choose the medium. More than three dozen artists are participating in the Artist's Eye, which began in September.
B. J. Lipari, 40, a Summerlin resident, chose a little corner from which to draw.
"When it's quieter, it's a lot easier," he said. "Sometimes people will come up behind you and look over your shoulder."
Tess Israelson, 29, of south Summerlin, is a sculptor and paints in water color. Although Israelson had already turned in her "BODIES" entry, depicting the spinal column, she returned "because it's another chance to do more detailed work."
Chris Reynolds, 44, was sketching, as well. He said he likes to work in water color and gouache.
"It's easy to draw what you expect to see," he said. "But this exhibit causes you to draw what's there. Your expectations are stripped away."
To find artists, the exhibitor notified art schools and galleries. The artists had to set up appointments in order to get into the exhibit for free.
"Some sketch for two hours and they're done," said Irene Armenta, education outreach manager for Premier Exhibitions Inc., which organized the BODIES exhibit. "Others will spend all day here. And then, some people will call me back and say, 'I need another day.' "
A number of the Artist's Eye entries were in Armenta's back office, covered in protective paper, entry forms attached. One entry was a computer-generated poster with ribbons of color representing veins. Another was called "Intravenous Coral," depicted via a Medusa-like head. On the entry form, artist Trisha Powers' statement explained how she arrived at sea anemone-like creatures floating in the ocean.
"Viewing parts of the body out of context had my thoughts turn to other objects. The body became fish, clams or birds," she wrote.
Fernando Tapia's entry was done in graphite. It showed conjoined fetuses in the display case, with numerous spectators viewing the display, including Tapia himself, seen with sketch pad in hand in the display case's reflection.
Each artist could only enter one piece to be juried. Winners will be determined later this month. Winners will receive $300 for first place and $100 for second and third place.
The winning entries will be exhibited at the next First Friday (Feb. 2) in the Las Vegas Arts District in the city's downtown before being put on display at the Tropicana.
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