‘The Vegas You Don’t Know’

March 9, 2009 by Bryant Nguyen 

Student photography exhibit shows another side of Sin City

Las Vegas may be known as Sin City, but for those who cheer at Runnin’ Rebel games or visited the Wetland Parks know that this city has much more to offer.

Beyond the glitz and glamour of the Strip is another dimension of Las Vegas that introduces a completely different world. That world is forever captured in the upcoming student photography exhibit called “The Vegas You Don’t Know.”

“There is more to Las Vegas than ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,’ and there’s more than just being Sin City,” said Crystal Macaspac, exhibit organizer. “We wanted to show people the gems of Las Vegas and that you don’t have to go to the Strip to find them.”

Starting Wednesday, UNLV students will display the Vegas they know in this American Institute of Architecture Students and Architecture Studies Library sponsored exhibit. 

“I think it is a good way for students to show the places they have seen and good to show where they have been,” said Daniel Laster, a participating student. “Other student photos tell you something about who they are and where they have been.”

This is the second year that the AIAS and ASL have put together a photography exhibit. Last year consisted of only architecture students while this year’s exhibit allowed all students on campus to participate.

“Last year we had a different theme. The students documented their travels and it covered photography from around the world,” Macaspac said. “This year we decided to go with a Vegas theme.”

More than 150 photos were submitted for the exhibit and all of them will be on display in the upstairs gallery of the ASL and another 18 were selected to be showcased in the downstairs gallery.

“Photography is like capturing the experience of the photographer and presenting the experience to others that might not be able to have the same opportunity as the photographer,” said Ryan Hong, participating student.

The exhibit is aimed at those who are interested in further exploring the endless possibilities of Las Vegas. 

“It’s for everyone. Anyone is welcome to see it,” Laster said. “It is good for students, faculty and tourists. It is intended to show to them that there is more going on in Las Vegas outside of the Strip.”

Laster and Hong both took different approaches to photographing for the exhibit. Laster used photos he had acquired during his time in Las Vegas, while Hong took pictures that peak his curiosity during his daily routines.

“I photographed the place in the suburbs where I drive by a lot up in Henderson,” Hong said. “I just went there one night to photograph because it had captured my interest.”

The photo submissions range from the Red Rock Casino in the west to the Wetlands Park out east.

“The Las Vegas Wetlands Park is… on the east side of Las Vegas where the water runs off and a lot of plant life grows,” Laster said. “It doesn’t look like Las Vegas at all. There is tons of plant life, and I don’t think anyone knows about that place.”

The exhibit will be open to the public free of charge during ASL regular hours throughout the month of March in the main gallery. 

The future of the exhibit lays in the success of the current exhibit.

“We are crossing our fingers that it is just as successful as last year,” Macaspac said. “It all depends on the feedback we get this year if there will be a third year.”

At “The Vegas You Don’t Know” be prepared to take a trip across the conventional border to enter the Las Vegas they know.

“It has tons of history and a lot more to it than the average person knows,” Macaspac said. “I lived in Vegas for 10 years and a lot of students captured things that even I have not seen during my 10 years here.”