Several years ago I met Laura Henkel at my property, New Orleans Square, when the Executive Director of a nonprofit art organization was looking to relocate its business. The property is one of many commercial buildings located at the historic Commercial Center. Once the stomping grounds of the Rat Pack, Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin, Santana, and the 1960s affluence, the Commercial Center had fallen into disrepair. In its heyday, the complex had over 150 businesses, including an ice skating rink, jewelers, restaurants and clothing boutiques. At the time of this clandestine meeting, New Orleans Square, a 72,500 sqft building, was 50% occupied. The nonprofit ultimately decided to relocate elsewhere, but my meeting with Laura was kismet.
Laura contacted me a year later with an idea. She had been producing an international art exhibition and immersive art experience called ’12 Inches of Sin’ for several years. Each year, the event grew in size by attracting artists and patrons from all over the world. She was looking for a space to hold the event and she came to me with a bold idea. What if we converted all of the vacant retail spaces into an immersive art experiences? I loved the idea! She arranged for a fiscal sponsor so that I could donate the property to her event under the auspices of a fundraising initiative for a nonprofit in town. Laura coordinated the curation, logistics, operations and marketing to create an incredible art experience. The footprint of the event encompassed 35,000 sq ft for three days. The event received exceptional praise in the press, and attracted many new visitors and prospective Tenants to New Orleans Square.
The following year, Laura asked if it was possible to hold the event again at New Orleans Square.Because of last year’s event, there was slightly less space to work with as a community of arts and culture businesses became tenants. Her footprint for the following year was over 25,000 sq ft over a course of two days. The immersive art experience attracted the best international, national, and local artists, as well as drew increased patronage from all over the country. Creating the opportunity for artists to transform vacant spaces to create art installations, galleries, educational workshops, and entertainment was the spark New Orleans Square needed to bring life back to it again.
Due to the exceptional press and foot traffic facilitated by Laura and others, artists and creatives could envision New Orleans Square at the Commercial Center to be a viable venue to develop a new and vibrant arts community. Within a scope of three years, the building went from being only 10% occupied to being 95% occupied. The complex is filled with art galleries, fashion and floral designers, music centers, nonprofits, retails shops, and so much more.
The power of art is transformative. I appreciate Laura’s dedication to creating extraordinary art experiences for cultural relevance. Her professionalism, vision and kind nature is inspiring. I look forward to collaborating with her again in the future. I invite everyone to visit New Orleans Square to experience this very property filled with the most amazing people and talent.
~ Ron McMenemy
Press
Nevada Public Radio (KNPR)
Las Vegas Review Journal
