The UNLV College of Fine Arts recently received three sculptures from the St. Jude Hearts of Las Vegas exhibit. Two of the hearts, by artists Jerry Misko and KD Matheson, have been gifted to UNLV permanently; the third, by Don Michael Jr., is on temporary display.
The sculpture that serves as the foundation for all of the 22 hearts in the exhibit is by alumnus Miguel Rodriguez, '04 Master of Fine Art. Each of the 5-foot sculptures were then painted by different local artists artists and have been placed around town, including Tivoli Village, Red Rock Hotel, St. Rose Dominican Hospital, and The District. Other installations by Rodriguez are on display at Wetlands Parks and the Golden Gate Hotel-Casino.
The Misko heart is at the entrance of Ham Fine Arts Building. Matheson's is on the south side of the Xeric Garden. The Michael heart is on Pida Plaza outside the Student Union Building.
This is the second year the Las Vegas St. Jude chapter has raised awareness on the fight against childhood cancer and other catastrophic pediatric diseases through the creation of the heart sculptures. Each artist selectively painted the hearts with their own interpretation of what "the heart of a child" means to them.
