The UNLV College of Fine Arts will present the eighth annual Feb. 24 in the Student Union Ballroom.
This year's honorees include legendary showman Danny Gans (posthumously); Roger Thomas, interior designer and executive vice-president of Wynn Design and Development; and The Rainbow Company Youth Theatre, Las Vegas' longest running cultural outlet. Thomas Schoeman of JMA Architects will receive the inaugural College of Fine Arts Dean's Medal for his commitment to education and extraordinary contributions to the School of Architecture.
for the event are $60 and include cocktails, the silent auction, dinner, ceremony, and performances. All proceeds benefit the UNLV College of Fine Arts.
Honorees receive the Sidney Award, named for the Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame's first inductee, George Sidney, who epitomized the term artist-educator. Sidney, a three-time Academy Award-winning director and producer, worked with such legends as Tony Curtis, Frank Sinatra, Clark Gable, Howard Keel, Ann-Margret, and Lana Turner. He was also a frequent guest lecturer in UNLV film classes, offering students priceless insight into the industry.
Honoree Bios
Danny Gans
Gans headlined on the Las Vegas Strip for 17 years as "The Man of Many Voices." He was named Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year 12 times, and his production was awarded Show of the Year. Known for his versatile talent, Gans' show was adored by fans worldwide. In February 2009, Steve Wynn partnered with Gans to perform at Wynn's new and beautiful Encore, the sister property to Wynn Las Vegas. The marquee on the Las Vegas Strip bearing Gans' image at one time held the record as the largest freestanding marquee in the world.
Roger Thomas
Thomas created the interiors of Wynn Las Vegas and Encore at Wynn Las Vegas. He led the interior design of Wynn Macau, opened September 2006, and designed Encore Macau, opened April 2010. He was senior vice president and director of interior design for Atlandia Design, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mirage Resorts Incorporated. For 20 years, he designed the interiors of the company's many properties, including the Golden Nugget hotels in Las Vegas and Laughlin, and some of the most important properties on the Las Vegas Strip - the Mirage, Treasure Island and Bellagio Resort. While a recognized leader in interior design for the hospitality industry, Thomas also has designed corporate offices and aircraft interiors.
Rainbow Company Youth Theatre
Founded in 1976, the Rainbow Company Youth Theatre is a program of the City of Las Vegas Office of Cultural Affairs . It produces a full season of family-oriented theatre and offers classes in all aspects of theatre for young people ages 4-18. A student ensemble program that provides professional level training to young people ages 10-18 in all aspects of theatre and a touring show that goes into schools to perform for nearly 14,000 young people each year. In conjunction with the tour show, study guides and workshops for elementary teachers and students are available. Rainbow Company also serves as a community resource for other theatres and schools throughout the valley.
Thomas Schoeman
Thomas Schoeman has been instrumental in the founding and positive development of the School of Architecture at UNLV. His leadership was one of the principal reasons the School of Architecture received its first NAAB accreditation in 1996. He has continued to support the School of Architecture by organizing peer architects who give of their valuable time to assist the School by serving as guest lecturers, counseling students and advising the School on best professional practices. He has also stepped forward individually to assist the School in difficult economic times.
The event starts at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through the UNLV Performing Arts Center Box Office at or (702) 895-ARTS (2787).
