Contest celebrates showgirls

Art competition preserves iconic performers' history

Photos By Jenna Dosch/ViewTop, Kay Borjas, right, jokes with a friend donning showgirl attire at Las Vegas Academy on April 23, when showgirls visited students to help them learn about the costumes. Below, student Jaclyn Sieloff examines a costume made of rhinestones during the visit. Jenna Dosch/ViewTara Edmonds models a showgirl costume for a Las Vegas Academy class on April 23. Photos By Jenna Dosch/ViewTop, Kay Borjas, right, jokes with a friend donning showgirl attire at Las Vegas Academy on April 23, when showgirls visited students to help them learn about the costumes. Below, student Jaclyn Sieloff examines a costume made of rhinestones during the visit. Advertisement

Lou Anne Chessik, producer of the 2008 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition, has found a way to combine a pursuit of the arts with Vegas glamour.

Chessik's program, bringing together student and professional artists with dancers of the past and present, is entering its second year as a celebration of that uniquely Las Vegas form -- the Las Vegas showgirl.

"I danced in the big extravaganza production shows for over 15 years," Chessik said. "Now, they call those shows vintage, or classic. I created the Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition to keep the history of that era alive."

With Bob Mackie costumes tailored to her form, 31/2-inch heels and ostrich plumes, Chessik lived the Las Vegas showgirl's charmed life, she said, performing in as many as six big production shows on the Strip, including "Lido de Paris," the Stardust's "Enter the Night" and Donn Arden's "Jubilee!"

There were long hours, Chessik said. "We performed two shows a night, six nights a week and three shows on Saturday. You gave up a lot, but you gained a lot," the classically trained dancer said. "It didn't matter if you had a hard day, you'd come into costuming, put on your makeup, go out onstage, and once the lights hit you, you found yourself there, smiling with the other dancers. It was a great job."

Chessik said she is delighted to see that reflected in the works that have come out of the art competition. Last year's entries offered a range of classical oil paintings. The 2008 Las Vegas Showgirl Art Competition will see entries from the College of Southern Nevada, as well as the Las Vegas Academy, among other participants.

Academy students made a strong showing in last year's competition. This year's kickoff event in April was held at Kelly Mable's art class at the academy, 315 S. 7th St. Chessik brought showgirls into the classroom for students to use as models, as well as an authentic, beaded costume from the show "Hello Hollywood, Hello."

The costume is a part of the renowned Karen Burns' collection. Burns was a dancer for the Donn Arden-produced big-production number and bought the original showgirl wear 14 years ago.

"You never know where life is going to take you," Burns said. "To have lived the life of a dancer and then to come back years later as a businesswoman and to be able to purchase a part of that history, it has been a blessing."

Burns runs Karen Burns Productions and uses many of the costumes to highlight the conventions, films and shows that her company produces.

"There is a fascination people have with Nevada-style entertainment," said Burns, "and the showgirls are that fascination."

Art teacher Kelly Mabel agreed. "My students loved having the showgirls come into the classroom," she said. "It makes it more personal. This is our hometown, and showgirls are a part of its history. It's important to keep the art of the showgirl alive."

Chessik was known for raising spirits and bringing dancers together when she performed, and she was inspired to launch the competition in 2006 after organizing a cast and crew reunion at the Stardust.

"Over 650 entertainers came back to celebrate the five decades of entertainment in the Stardust Theatre," Chessik said. "It made me realize we were becoming history."

The first competition was held in Reno in 2007, with live showgirls greeting attendees at the opening reception. The event was covered by The New York Times. Chessik said she is working to grow the competition so that it travels nationally.

The deadline for submissions for this year's contest is June 15. An artist may submit one original work of art, a traditional drawing or painting, preferably no larger than 24-by-36 inches. Prizes are $500 for first place, $250 for second place and $100 for third place. Five honorable mentions will receive $25 apiece.

The Nevada Historical Society will display as many as the top 30 pieces of artwork from the competition from June 27 to Aug. 1 in Reno. Local Barnes & Nobles bookstores also will exhibit pieces throughout the fall. The artwork will become part of a Las Vegas Showgirl Art Calendar, with winning artists making guest appearances and signing calendars at event receptions. For more information, artist guidelines and applications, visit www.castandcrewreunion.com.