The Arts Factory

You have to check out this beautiful artist collective warehouse. Art is hung on every surface and there were many shops / tattoo shops / galleries to check out. A great way to get acquainted with the local artists. The whole Artist District is a must see area. Everything cool is off of Main Street.

If you’re an artist or a lover of art, you absolutely must visit The Arts Factory. I visited while on vacation in Vegas and was so enamored I came back a second time with my family, who was also impressed. My youngest sister-in-law was addicted to the sticker vending machines—she must have put $15-20 in those things. It is an entrancing space unlike any gallery I’ve seen before. The Arts Factory features everything from abstract paintings to 35mm photography & jewelry. As an artist from Seattle I’ve been to many galleries, and none of them can compete with The Arts Factory & the Arts District as a whole—I loved it so much I seriously considered the logistics of moving to LV. The Arts Factory is absolutely a must-see. I’d give it 6 stars if I could

Excellent place to view many different beautiful art pieces and styles of art work. The space is amazing with lots of natural light and loft like vibes. I would love to have a space like this. Julie Notaro of fraiche arts talked to us and let us hang out in her studio. Great work and cool music.

You won't believe it until you see it! The experience is beyond words. The pictures simply don't do justice. You have to go there to witness it yourself. It's like living in a role play, where they are creating something new every day. You can even watch them work and get inspired. If you miss out on this, you're playing blind and dumb!

Fun place to view some art, but please note that it is actually a building of individual artist galleries, and the artists come in generally no earlier than noon. There are interesting paintings on the halls though - both upstairs and down. AND although the trend is modern, most (happily) do not look as if a 3-year-old painted them. I DID (as usual) speak to someone - in this case, a woman originally from Boston. She suggested a scenic drive where I could actually pull over for scenic views! ... but more on "Red Rock Canyon" tomorrow! ☺️ Never be shy... always speak to locals!! ❤️

We enjoyed visiting The Arts Factory during our trip to Vegas. Not all of the artists workshops were open, but most of them were. There is a lot of great art work to view and buy. I imagine it would be even more enjoyable if we had visited during an event. A lot of places to shop and eat close by as well. If you are walking the Arts District, I recommend checking out The Arts Factory.

We thoroughly enjoyed walking around here after brunch at The Pepperclub. So much color, life and fun going on our here! 18bin was off and poppin on this particularly beautiful Sunday. We popped into the Arts Factory & Art Square to see the artists working there and all the cool art. The highlight of our day was meeting artist Ruben Martinez at RM Photo Gallery. He can lift anyone's spirits with his energy. He graciously shared his inspiration and story with such enthusiasm that we didn't want to leave. You have to go see him at Art Square! We will definitely be back to check out all the shops thay we're closed because there was definitely more to see. Such a fun, lively place to hang out and meet new friends with cafes, restaurants and bars.

Great place to see and support local artists. It's the heart of the downtown arts district. They also have a nce venue space as seen in my photos. First Friday gets pretty busy with lots of crowds, it is a lot of fun though. Be sure to check out the arts Factory during slower times for a different experience.

Many things to do and restaurants/coffee shops to grab something quick to eat and drink. Many local businesses as well. First Fridays are nice and local musicians as well even hand made items stands.

cute concept, want to love the space but when I was there during hours indicated to be open on Google maps most of the units are closed Urban and street art vibe, showcasing work from local artists. One of the store is running a private art and craft event. the restaurants attached to the complex was very happening. has some good Instagramable moments. I'm hoping to see them building onto the existing ideas and start a vibrant community. I'd probably start with more social media exposures and do more collaborative designs and installations in the larger open spaces for marketing materials.

It's more of a gallery space than it is a gallery. The obvious difference between the two is that a gallery space contains multiple galleries; but the subtler difference is one of style, tone, and late-'80s/early-'90s sensibility. This place feels like a thrown-together, pre-Internet art school. If you don't like that, I don't know what to say. Even though I was older than a few of the artists we chatted with, I felt younger, because they belong to an earlier generation. I don't mean that they're actually older than I am. I just mean that they're old souls, kind of like my friend Traci (who actually is older than I am by a few months). I don't mean geriatric old or old-fashioned or even curmudgeonly. Nope, I'm talking about a truly independent, anti-collaborative streak that is becoming rarer and rarer these days. To put it another way, all these artists are happy to share a building and to recommend one another's work to visitors, but they don't feel tied down by one another. Sure, there's a career and probably a class solidarity, but it's more live-and-let-live than most supposedly free thinkers are today, and it's refreshingly old--er familiar. It's fun to explore the place and try to figure out what's for sale, what's just up on the walls, and what's not really art but looks like it might be--or might have been. I could do without that dance-party space whose music was driving me crazy when I was perusing some cool stuff on the lower level, but live and let live, I guess. The building itself is nuts. It goes up and down and back again. Don't be shy; talk to the artists. Even if you don't like what they make, they're gutsy to display it here. The world needs more places like this. All the polished stuff is really starting to grate on me.

Had a great time with my wife and few of my friends, got a chance to catch up with some good people

So many art galleries all in one place! This is really cool, and free to visit. It's somewhat of a maze in there, on different levels, and some areas were closed when we came on a Saturday afternoon (we were also short on time), so for sure we didn't see everything. But we still had a good time exploring, and found a lot of pieces we loved, so much color and creativity and talent. There's also a book store with a lot of cool gift items and classic books. And 18bin is a great indoor and outdoor space for enjoying music, food and drinks here at the Arts Factory, and of course more art. A very laid back atmosphere. I'm glad I had a chance to check this place out.

Cool place in the arts district. Absolutely free and while not big, it has a nice vibe. Up and coming artists can display their art for sale. I'm not exactly sure how the arrangement works but it's worth a look if you want to do some different that costs nothing.

Attended the first annual Nocturnal Carnival here at the Arts Factory which is my first experience to this location. It was such a wonderful experience, with all kinds of acts from belly dancers to an individual that hammers nails into his nose. It was one of those events where they encourage the public to participate and let your imagination run. Costumes were encouraged and the majority of the patrons, including myself took the chance to dress up. The Arts Factory alone is a mesh of small artist studios that support struggling artists in the Vegas community. It is a fantastic service this facility provides to those struggling to find a place to host their art. There are a few small businesses that are located here permanently that sell jewelry, art, and magical supplies and such. The Arts Factory is constantly hosting different events and strongly encouraging the arts in Las Vegas all the time. Most of their events are free and family friendly. This is such a magical place to come learn about oneself and admire art through someone else's eyes too.

If you are from a place like I am, Portland, you eventually realize that you prefer the Portland brand of burlesque and entertainment. It is so team routinely available in our local theaters by our own local folks. We also have fantastic food. This is a great neighborhood place, and deserves our love. You can use any kind of unmatched mug for your eat and coffee, you can get your own coffee,, pick up a local periodical, and enjoy yourself for a few hours with no one bothering you. Truly a great hang out.

This is a really cool place with small art shops by local artists and a restaurant/bar.

What a fun experience and a great opportunity to check out local artists and buy art I always stop by whenever I'm in the area

Back in 2010, Yelp Las Vegas was just gettin' started and The Trifecta Gallery in The Arts Factory was the venue of my first Elite event. I wasn't even Elite status yet, and knew no one but Misti was nice enough to invite me and my wifey to see how the Vegas Elites get down! Fast forward a couple of years later, tons of new artwork, shops, and exhibits to check out. Aside from all the art galleries, there is a drop-in yoga studio, you could take guitar lessons and art classes here, and even pick up comics, graffiti supplies, and sweet vinyl toys here. We first stopped inside The Trifecta Gallery next to the yoga studio and the lady running the gallery and her jack russel terrier greeted us at the door and was very informative in explaining various displays, who the artist was, and a little backstory to the artist and his/her artwork. One very eye-catching piece was a beautiful tapestry of the Las Vegas Strip(Circa 2007) done by an artist who went by the name SOLA(Alone in Spanish). It took about 8,000 hours over the span of 3 years to complete using recycled sweaters of Las Vegas residents emphasizing the community focus of her work. Literally living out of her rolling suitcase, she travels from city to city setting up in pop-up studios and purchasing furnishings from thrift stores and gives them back when she leaves. The leftover material is turned into knit hats which generate income that SOLA lives off of. As soon as a donor is found, this tapestry will be hung up in City Hall. Her 40 tapestries can be seen in 10 cities and are absolutely beautiful! We went upstairs and also got to chat with other local artists while creating their latest masterpieces. We also got to see a work in progress of a beautiful colorful Tibetan sand painting which takes an eye for detail and a VERY steady hand.(Sorry, no photos allowed for this one...gotta check it out yourself!) A great place to see what else is going on in our community, stop by if you're ever in the area, you'll be glad you did!...ALOHA!!! YELP 365 CHALLENGE-(221/365) " Mixed Media"

Such a cool place to spend time alone or on a date, and interact with artists in their studios and get to know them and their art. Go on First Fridays if you enjoy crowds and events. Go on any other day for an empty art gallery to wander through and explore. There's a bar, a comic store, and a yoga studio as well. A friend described it as "a better Venice." True that.

Jumped on the bike and headed to Vintage bike night that is every 3rd friday of the month. Very nice mix of people & an eclectic mix of all kinds of motorcycles. I met a guy from the U.K. and chatted a bit over ( what else? ) Triumph Motorcycles! This such a nice change from the crazies at 1st Friday. Crazy is good and im no Debbie Downer but the vibe is chill & mellow. There is even a band here and cold beer. Some guy did wheelies up & down the street! Awww the smell of gas & rubber. I assumed he was going to buy new tires anyway cause what was left on the bike was left on the asphalt. Happy St. Patrick's day from the Arts Factory downtown!

The Arts Factory one of the original art hubs in Vegas town. Though it was changed owners... I feel it's worth for locals and out of towns to check out new art and small business . The early years the factory was more focus on the low brow, graffiti and outsider of art. DUE to the gentrified of the area it's remind me very much more of north Hollywood noho style .. of art community in the early 2000s. Hopefully, no Starbucks dare to enter the 18b district! Walk around arts factory and head to Main Street , there is still some signs of the the early antique shops, but unfortunately some are fading. Please show your support to the small business owners and continue the grassroots style where it originally came from! Artist do beware ...of showing art in these locations. Many artists, include myself had theft of our art and art objects. Unfortunately artists don't have insurance for theft. If you see something shady ... please report it ! Have fun gallery hopping bring all your friends!

I was here in the morning before people opened their shops. I wish I could have wandered about a bit more but I will have to visit again. The art is beautiful. It is worth seeing what is going on in our city. For so long (I have lived in Vegas for 28 years) we haven't had a lot of appreciation for the arts and now we are giving some well deserved space and time to our artists.

Many great artists! My husband and I have been going to Las Vegas for years and never knew about the arts district. The Arts Factory has neat galleries/studios where you get to see artists at work. Reasonable prices and various styles. Something for everyone. Highly recommend it!

What can I say about the Art Factory....well: I LOVE.... - How they have events such as First Friday and the Beerfest in July. - How they feature local artists. - How eclectic and diverse the art that's on display. - How it brings locals together for good times. I HATE... - Parking....it's always a giant mess for big events. - The location....when it gets busy, it can get squirrely on the roads around the building and people don't pay attention....it's a fender bender waiting to happen. So, I guess when you weigh all those factors, I give it 4 Stars. Will I return? For the next fun event, sure!

On opening day of the very first First Friday, I remember stepping foot in this place and hating every minute of walking through cluttered spaces and crowded hallways. Fast forward 10 years later, and now I'm writing a Yelp review on how I'd recommend visiting it. The Arts Factory has changed much since I first visited. Each of the galleries that I've visited haven't made me claustrophobic. No more stark walls, but works of art and murals now bless the hallways. It's much more inviting and makes you want to stay and explore each gallery. There's two levels to the Arts Factory. Each floor has several galleries, but the first has a restaurant called Bar + Bistro (http://www.yelp.com/biz/bar-bistro-the-arts-factory-las-vegas#hrid:9lnC6TxUA5iVHj5Pwp6uKQ) and several stores, such as, Happy Panda Toys (http://www.yelp.com/biz/happy-panda-toys-las-vegas#hrid:Mg5fdzJst2xwYSYYvE5tww), a comic book shop, and a jewelry shop. Artwork and other items can also be purchased from some of the artists at their galleries. First Friday draws big crowds, but the Thursday before doesn't. Preview Thursday allows artists to provide a sneak peek of their artwork before the official public viewing on Friday. Visiting on Thursday provides a much more intimate experience because you can speak with the artists. The only downside to this place is the parking. You can choose to street park or park in the lot across the street which is shared with other businesses. This lot can fill up fast, and it's also a pain having to exit this place because there's only one exit -- unless you want to drive over the sidewalk, but that's not a good idea. The Arts Factory has come a long way, but I'm happy to see how it's evolved. It's become a place I look forward to visiting every first Thursday of the month.

Went here for Alex Pardee and David Correia's Sketch 4 A Sketch tour with special guest Vic Back. I was very stoked to meet Alex (that's putting it lightly - I'm ridiculously obsessed with his artwork) and the venue was perfect for this tour. Big big props to the owners who let them come here on seemingly short notice to do their sketches and sell their wares. The actual location is very cool, and there is art EVERYWHERE inside. It actually does kind of look like a factory too with the unfinished ceilings with piping, but a very upscale one. I looked around before Alex got there at some of the work on display and saw ranges from $200 to $6500 (yikes). Although not completely affordable in my budget, a lot of the pieces were very beautiful and from up-and-coming artists which of course I would like to support. I mostly stayed on the second floor where the tour was held which was very spacious with white walls and light wood floors, and a small bar area. The space was nice and it is definitely inspiring to see such an eclectic variety of work in one place. I am very glad that Alex Pardee and the Zerofriends crew decided to make this the place for their Las Vegas leg of the tour.

What is Arts Factory? Is it an Art Gallery as the name (and other Yelpers) suggests? No. There is actually not much Fine Art for sale. And what was on display when my daughter and I walked through the building was scattered throughout the complex. The only artist that had space for her paintings of Abstarct Expressionism right next to Entropy Design had very affordable small paintings in the $200-$300 range, but the paintings are far from "collectible". The businesses that are tenants at the Arts Factory are a hodge-podge of businesses that are tangentially associated with an "arts" culture in most communities - Graphic Artists, Commercial Photography Studios, Architectural and Interior Design Firms, Yoga Studio (???), and Restaurants. There are actually very few "Art" Galleries, per se. Are Tie-Dyed Ts considered "Art"? I have a suggestion for the Arts Factory... If you are promoting Fine Art as the name suggests... restrict the first floor for exhibitions of Fine Art displays and Art Galleries. Move the "not necessarily Art" businesses to the extremities of the building, like the second floor, or to a totally different building. The Arts Factory seems more a center where businesses that reside on the Strip in Las Vegas can come to one location for their Photographic or Graphic Design, or Multimedia needs. Should be renamed "Commercial" Arts Factory. Furthermore, on a Thursday, management of the complex has to dictate that during business hours, the business had better be Open! It's disconcerting when some businesses are closed and some are open... some are manned by a person, some are not. Wanted to see what "First Friday" ( http://www.yelp.com/biz/first-friday-las-vegas-2 ) was all about... but after my "First Thursday", decided to skip Friday... Despite being in existence for a couple of years, this seems to be still a "work in progress". It's really difficult to promote yourself as a part of the counter-culture and trying to survive in this Economy. You really can't "force-feed" Culture into a community like Las Vegas, especially with "Culture Found Here!" signs represented by the "18b" Neighborhood or the Arts Factory. (What the heck does 18b mean? Eighteen blocks that represented the original Las Vegas Arts District area.) The "Culture" in Las Vegas, unfortunately, despite the protestations of the Art Factory, is still centered around Las Vegas Boulevard. FYI: Before you walk into the Arts Factory... take a gander at the mural to the West of the building that celebrates Cirque de Soleil and the City of Las Vegas ( http://www.yelp.com/biz/cirque-de-soleil-and-city-of-las-vegas-mural-las-vegas#hrid:fZjVfB6VuaTJgr7IRmzK0A ). FYI: Do not stay too late in this neighborhood. There is a reason for those iron gates. Very, very sketchy neighborhood...

Came here for a photography exhibition my friend was in. What a fantastic time! I'm so upset my friend didn't win, he so deserved it, but we all had a good time. Lots and LOTS of food and drinks, and free?! Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat! That was insane. The art was cool to look at, but I really was only interested in his photo. The place was completely packed, and at some points it was frustrating, but what do you expect when there's free wine, beer and food? The food was pretty tasty, well, the few items I tried. The wine was nice as well. I would love to come back for another exhibit. This was way cool (junior.....anyone get that reference?)

Yelp 100 Challenge * 49/100 4 years down the road in Vegas and I finally got to participate in the 1st Friday Festivities! I don't know how many times my friends and I said 'wow' that night - from of the amazing art as well as the parking! Expect to drive around for a while looking for a spot but once that's done, I assure you that whatever the Arts Factory has to offer will make up for it. First Friday adventures are better off unplanned. Just head in here and go with the flow, improvise, slip in and out of numerous galleries, chat with the artists and enjoy the live music outside. A handful of the art presented circled around re-using recycled materials - from bangles, purses, fridge magnets, capri sun bags etc. - such a delight for those of us who love to nurture our environment! Another gallery featured melted crayons that dripped down a paper and 1000 paper cranes that lined a ceiling. There was so much symbolism and so many deep stories behind the colorful canvas. There's always something for every-one! Already looking forward to my next 1st Friday!

Continues to improve its already amazing and eclectic group of artists! This building consists of no less than ten different art galleries (perhaps as many as twenty?!) with artwork from painting, drawing, welding, crafts, shirts, toys, and even yoga! The building is receiving a makeover as the owners update and renovate (2017). This only helps to improve the experience. Since many, if not all, of the galleries are open even other than Preview Thursday or First Friday, that provides a wonderful time to visit outside of the crowd that the fun First Friday event creates. Artists are there to talk personally about their works, often creating new pieces right there in the studio/galleries! A fantastic environment for artists of all kinds.

I was at the Arts Factory tonight for a benefit concert. The room was set up for about 25 people which was just right. Parking was easy. On First Friday's, the whole area must be filled with cars. I walked around and looked at the pieces on the wall. Some showed lots of talent and caught my eye. Others just didn't appeal, but that's art. I agree with the previous poster about the temperature. It got a bit warm after the first 1/2 hour. I'm glad I know more about the place. I want to go back and try the Bar + Bistro.

Go here. You could get lost for few hours. I recommend even coming alone and wandering. Take yourself in a date for an hour and browse local artists and talk to the gallery and shop owners. Its a really beautiful building on its own. Little door ways passing each other you can pop in and out of. From the inside it slightly reminds me of the top floor of the Last Bookstore down town LA. You can also take a Yoga class with Cheryl. She is a goddess. Or a west African dance class with Corinthia. There's a skate shop, comic book store, clothing shop, and Visit Dr. Leppers gallery in the South wing you'll be very pleased you did. Lots of events here. They're in the process of opening a pub. Its near the artifice in the time being. They just need coffee and it would be perfect. :)

The Arts Factory was a wonderful surprise yesterday on Friday Friday for October 7th. Much bigger than I thought. At the last minute I took my son and we ate the most delicious homemade meat pies with steak, mushrooms and whipped potatoes at the Downtown Crown Pub on the corner. Afterwards, we walked for hours admiring all the art, sculptures, drummers, singers, musicians, wish we had time for the food trucks. The lines made the food look good, especially the various jerky meats, fried ice cream, and funnel cakes. What a great way to start the month leading up to Halloween. Thank you to the group that organizes the event. There were more arts than I could have imagined.

The artist and staff are really friendly and I got to make many great friends, also had an opportunity to take art classes there as well

Thank God for the Arts Factory. The art community that started downtown in the early 90s has been waiting for this, and for the First Friday phenomenon, for a long time. The dreams lovingly planted at the Enigma Garden Cafe (rest in peace you place of eternal awesomeness, you. can I get an amen, anyone?) are finally starting to take seed. The Arts Factory has been the hub of First Friday - the city sponsored art event held, imaginatively enough, on the first Friday of every month - for the past threeish (fourish?, it all blends) years. Housing something like 16 galleries, with performance space and areas outside to set up MORE art, there's more mixed media here than you can shake a pretentious art school student at. Local and national artists display and sell their wares, and with a selection as vast as this you're bound to find SOMETHING you like. Tinoco's Bistro is also housed in the factory, serving up some delicious Italian meals (be sure to make reservations in First Friday) and a band is almost always playing on their patio. Sometimes maligned for its recent involvement in some arts scene drama (ooooh, drama!), the Arts Factory remains a viable, vital and important part of our art scene. Check it, and First Friday, out.

We've been all over Vegas an the Arts Factory is by far the coolest place we've found. Be sure to check out Squishy Studio. Her work is amazing.

The Arts Factory has been a long time hub for local Las Vegas Artists, and to international ones. There is something for everyone. Fine Art, DaDa, Low Brow, etc. Fashion Boutiques and an amazing photo gallery. The gallerists and shop holders are very friendly, and welcoming. A Las Vegas Gem

Such a great place in the heart of the arts district in Las Vegas. Amazing pieces of art to see and awesome artists to meet. Also have really good bar and Mexican food in the same building... even a yoga studio next door... this place has a lot to stimulate the senses and enjoy the great visuals

I recently attended a party at the Arts Factory. It is definitely a fantastic location. Easy to find and the parking wasn't terrible, but I can see how it could get pretty bad for larger events. The lot is a bit dark, so I'd probably recommend a tad more lighting out there for safety. Our party was in the upstairs loft area of the building and it was quite spacious. There was tons of room for everyone to mingle, admire the art and enjoy the band that was playing. My only complaint was the temperature was a bit hot and there wasn't much ventilation. All in all, it was a good experience and I'll probably return for future events.

Located at the corner of a busy intersection, this is a large, multistory building that houses several galleries, a yoga studio, sometimes a temporary bar, "bistro" and serves as a space to hold large events. I've been several times, during first friday, for figure drawing classes and musical events. There are many artists on display of varying talents, medium and repute, which essentially means that some of the art is really well made and lots of it laughable. Some of the varying mediums are cool, I wouldn't have expected to have seen a quilt on display. Vegas is an odd place for an artist- such a gawdy, eclectic place with an ever-rotating supply of international visitors begets ample inspiration but provides enough distraction that some people never take the time to practice or 'skill up' because there are so many fun things to be doing. On the one hand, I'm glad this place exists as an oasis for the creative community, but it can be a little disenchanting, too. When we arrived for the musical event, there was NO sign stating a cover charge- but the man at the door told us it'd be $20 for the two of us. When J scoffed, the man told us to just pay $10. When we asked why, he told us it was so that they could pay the band. We later spoke with the band and they did NOT get paid for the almost hour-long set they did. There was a pop-punk/emo sounding band in the front that we disliked, so our assumption is that band was getting paid while the one we were watching wasn't. This led to some upset among the band members after we spoke with them. The only beer available was PBR, for $5 a can. There were signs up advertising Long Island Iced teas, but they weren't offered for the event we were at. The boy and I shared a watery cranberry & vodka made with a drizzle of the cheapest vodka. The musicians we saw did an excellent show, and after their performance there was a drumming session and fire-twirling, which was cool. There were also halloween themed decorations and other events going on, so it had a lot of potential to be a fantastic event, just as the factory has the potential to be a fabulous artistic gathering place. With a concerted, loving effort this place could be awesome, but the guy left a bad taste in our mouths. Also, I'd like to see more art actually on the walls, it seems like there are a lot of underutilized spaces. I'm not sure if I should see it as a poor reflection of the Vegas art community, or the obvious reflection of Vegas's struggling artist community, and that saddens me.

This place was great! A friend and I have never been to an art gallery so we had our minds opened to expect whatever. It was absolutely stunning in here with many rooms to adventure in. Loved that everyone was so kind and respected our presence as they worked or created art. Would 100% go back whether I'd want to go alone, with a friend or bring children. It's an inspiring place!

One-stop shop for all kinds of cool things to do downtown! Art? (Duh). There are several galleries here with a wide variety of styles to enjoy. Vegan-friendly dining (or meat, if you must)? Bar and Bistro has you covered! They'll also hook you up with booze, and great dog-friendly patio. Yoga? Blue Sky has classes every day, drop in, for donation! Need some personal grooming? The awesome Hilary Salon is on the 2nd floor, and provides a variety of service for men, women, and kiddos. That's why I look so good, y'all! Feeling whimsical? There are awesome toy, jewelry, and comic shops there as well! (Panda Toys, Hiptazmic, HellPop). It's a the cool place to be on First Friday for live musical performances and drinks. (But if you really like art and want to appreciate it, go on preview Thursday to beat the crowds and enjoy the special Thursday happy hour and B&B!)

Just recovered from another fun First Friday at the Arts Factory. Had some friends in town and brought them through the Arts Factory to show them a good time hitting First Friday. I like to start at the southern part of First Friday near the Stratosphere and work my way up past the music stages, locals artists, beef jerky stands and organic food trucks through the chaos and sea of punks, hipsters, goths, emos, gangsters, hippies and granolas. (I'm a big people watcher!) I like to stop at Artifice for a Stella, then with my plastic cup in hand, head over to The Arts Factory to see what's new! I love how the spaces are dynamic and changing every time that I visit for a First Friday! I have so much fun! I'm originally from Seattle and we have a 1st Thursday, ut its much more spread out (and rainy) in Seattle, so we always end up staying in the same building. I love exploring all the nooks and crannies and finding new artists posted up. I love walking though the Graffiti/Japanese inspired doll stores, checking out the new stencil art, wandering outside to listen to some live jams, and check out all the cool tents with always different artists hocking their wares. I really enjoy the diversity of people, and the uber-relaxed ability to drink on the go and have a good time in general. I'm never bored and almost never end up where I think I'm going to. I like how the other building involved are just a stone's throw away. The drink prices are about the same as a bar, and in some cases in teeny tiny plastic cups not worth the price. Some of the food is expensive so make sure to bring some cash with you for those spur of the moment purchases. I spent a lot of time dancing in the Captial Arts Center to the DJ spinning Electro, a lot of the night, donating to the donation Champagne (that gave me heartburn), but definitely had a blast as always, and my friends get a taster of non-strip Vegas. I almost try to sway my friends into coming the weekends of first Fridays just so I have more excuse to come out. I'm definitely going to bring more money with me next time and snag some of the dope original T-shirts on display, and some of those cool figurines in the Anime Shop. After I've had my art fill, I usually walk across the street to the Artifice and dance to the DJ's spinning late 90's hip hop, rap, feelgood and EDM to round out the night. Cheers! ~MikeB

The struggle for downtown has begun. The Arts factory is literally the heart of a monthly event here in Vegas called First Friday. I know I've dropped lots of hints about First Friday in my other reviews but here is where it all began. "In the heart of the 18b arts district, downtown Las Vegas, Nevada is home to The Arts Factory. The premier location to the area's finest art and local culture, The Arts Factory has photographers, painters, graphic designers, and many other professionals." (quoted from www.theartsfactory.com) Every First Friday is a gallery crawl, and the entire building is open to the public to roam and view the many talented artists you didn't know we had here in the desert.

Very cool place open to the public most of the time to view art and chat with artist. Best time to go is for first Friday and during special gallery events. They need to clean as in bleach scrub this entire place, kinda gross. Most artists creep me out and I enjoy laughing at them inside as they explain their "feelings" on canvas but it a good way to spend a evening and take some friends.

The Arts Factory is a cool place to hang out and procure some amazing art and other oddities. There is of course your normal awesome paintings and canvas works of art, but there is also an eclectic mix of other forms of "art" and fun things. Hiptazmic studio which is full of awesome upcycled/recycled jewelry and decor items, along with original art pieces, tshirts, engraved tags, patches and more. Happy Panda toys with it's awesome vinyl toy collection, they also throw release parties where you can come in and trade with other fanatics. Then there is Hell Pop, they have a great comic and alternative book selection! The Arts Factory has a little bit for everyone with the variety of items within its walls. Bar and Bistro the restaurant is also worth a visit, the pizzas are tastyriffic! Best time to come down and check things out is on First Friday, not only is the AF hopping but there is a plethora of booths and other happenings in the immediate area for your perusing pleasure.

I have been to Las Vegas a handful of times in the past 10 years or so and this was the first time I have gotten off of The Strip and gotten to experience the artistic side of Vegas. The Art Factory was fantastic as nd thd bar bistro (review to follow) was pretty yummy too. There are some incredibly talented artists here in vegas and I look forward to following a The Art Factory website as well as the Trifecta Gallery website too (review to follow).

I am in love with this place. Even though the service can sometimes be slow, the wait for food is completely worth it. Whenever friends come to visit from out of town I take the here. The price is reasonable and they have a great tapas menu everyone can share! I went there with friends from NYC who were used to paying prices on the strip and outrageous food prices in the city. All three of us ate dinner for $48, they loved it! Additionally they have an art gallery right around the corner you can enjoy before or after eating. One the side note, a must try is the sweet potato fries!

What an awesome place! You get to talk to local artists who are all very friendly and passionate. You can even watch them create if you're lucky.

I love wandering around the different galleries inside The Arts Factory. There are so many new things to see each month. It's always interesting to catch artists at work in their studios and see what they're in the middle of, and it's very inspiring to me. A few times a year, I end up finding something that's just perfect for my home or a family member. Love the creativity here!!!

My home away from home. This is the hub of Las Vegas' art district. Like many have already previously mentioned if you know whats good for you this is the place to be during 1st Friday of the month! This 2-story art space holds a variety of galleries, music, design, yoga, art classes, fine dining to graffiti supplies shop you'll find plenty of things to keep you busy and entertained. The longer I live in Vegas, I'm starting to wish I didn't live on the other side of town.

Mainly stop by here for vintage bike night. It's a cool meet up spot and while there maybe not be tons of vintage who cares it's good people who ride. They have food, drinks and friendly people. And you'll catch a few shovels and pans and the occasional knuck or old bonnie. Scope or out and make some new friends.

Many good galleries and studios are located in the Arts Factory. Now also the Bar + Bistro with activities happening every week. Highly recommend for art, food and cocktails.

I just LOVE the vibe here. Come here with an open mind, though, because a lot of people come here to be themselves. On Wednesdays the patio is very busy and I have seen fire spinners and hula hoopers many times. The drink prices are average, 5 to 6 bucks for a good sized beer. The inside is beautiful and I cannot comment on the food except that it is expensive. The back opens up to an area with art galleries and can be pretty cool depending on what's currently being shown. I recommend this place to anyone that is interested in trying something off the strip!

We recently visited Las Vegas and were looking to support some local art. We got to the Factory around noon on a Tuesday, and of all the many gallery spaces in the building, only 3 of artists and their rooms were open. It would have really been disappointing, but for all the pieces hung on the walls in the numerous hallways. Could peek in a few windows, but guess for anyone not local, the better time to go would probably be Friday and Saturday. The building itself, outside and in, is a colorful warren of art which was fun to explore.

It'll surprise you when you enter. The layout does not do it justice, its bigger on the inside. And you can spend hours wandering around looking at all the art, and other aspects of the place.