Las Vegas Arts District takes flight: Downtown artists find global audience at Harry Reid International Airport
The Las Vegas Arts District has discovered an unexpected way to reach customers from around the world – through a specialty retail space at Harry Reid International Airport that’s putting local artists on the global map, one layover at a time.
DT Arts market brings Downtown to Terminal 1
Nearly a year after its debut at Harry Reid International Airport, DT Arts Market has become a crucial bridge between the vibrant Las Vegas Arts District and the millions of travelers passing through the airport annually. The specialty retail space, operated by Marshall Retail Group, serves as a unique showcase for Downtown Las Vegas artists, allowing them to reach customers who may never venture beyond the Strip during their visit.
Located in Terminal 1, the shop represents an innovative approach to supporting local artists while giving visitors an authentic taste of Las Vegas’s creative community. The concept transforms the typical airport shopping experience into an opportunity to discover genuine local artistry rather than generic tourist merchandise.
Local Artists gain international exposure
Among the featured artists is Gem Jaxx, whose work is displayed at the Recycled Propaganda museum in the Arts District. Jaxx has experienced firsthand how the airport location has dramatically expanded her reach, with her artwork literally becoming carry-on items for travelers heading to destinations around the world.
“It’s even from friends that I hadn’t seen in like, 20 years,” Jaxx explained. “They’re just waiting on standby, and they go in the shop, and they’re like, ‘Oh my gosh.'” This unexpected recognition highlights how the airport shop serves as an international showcase for Las Vegas’s local creative talent.
The partnership began organically, with Marshall Retail Group actively seeking out Arts District artists to feature authentic Las Vegas iconography. “I was recommended to them, and from there, I sent my product list, and we collaborated on a line,” Jaxx said. “That’s how I got there.”
More than souvenirs: Authentic Las Vegas art
The DT Arts Market distinguishes itself from typical airport retail by focusing on genuine artistic creations that reflect Las Vegas’s local culture and creative spirit. Featured items include Battle Born Pins and other Las Vegas iconography pieces that tell the story of the city beyond the casinos and entertainment venues.
This approach offers travelers a chance to take home something uniquely representative of Las Vegas’s artistic community, while simultaneously supporting the local economy and creative ecosystem that has flourished in the Downtown Arts District.
Airport as International Billboard
For participating artists, the airport location functions as what Jaxx describes as “an international billboard” – a high-visibility platform that reaches thousands of potential customers daily from around the globe. The foot traffic at Harry Reid International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the United States, provides exposure that would be impossible to achieve through traditional Arts District foot traffic alone.
The impact extends beyond individual sales, as travelers who discover these artists at the airport often become long-term supporters, following their work online and potentially visiting the Arts District during future trips to Las Vegas.
Supporting the creative economy
The success of DT Arts Market reflects a broader trend of Las Vegas institutions recognizing and supporting the city’s growing reputation as a legitimate arts destination. By providing retail space at one of the city’s most high-traffic locations, the airport is actively participating in the economic development of the Arts District.
“It not only helps us and our brand, but it’s supporting small businesses,” Jaxx noted. “It’s just wonderful that they’re giving back to all of us artists.” This sentiment underscores the collaborative nature of the initiative and its positive impact on Las Vegas’s creative community.
Downtown Arts District: More than a destination
The airport shop also serves an important role in educating visitors about Las Vegas’s diverse cultural offerings. Many travelers may be unaware that Las Vegas has a thriving arts scene centered in the Downtown Arts District, an area that has undergone significant revitalization in recent years.
The Arts District, located just a few miles from the Strip, has become home to galleries, studios, murals, and creative spaces that showcase a different side of Las Vegas. By featuring this artwork at the airport, the city is effectively marketing one of its most authentic and rapidly growing cultural assets.
Economic impact and future growth
The success of DT Arts Market represents a model for how airports can support local economies while enhancing the traveler experience. Rather than relying solely on national retail chains, the partnership demonstrates the value of incorporating local businesses and artists into airport commerce.
For the Las Vegas Arts District, this airport presence provides crucial economic support that helps sustain and grow the creative community. The additional revenue stream allows artists to focus more fully on their craft while reaching markets they could never access through traditional gallery sales alone.
A new chapter for Las Vegas tourism
As Las Vegas continues to evolve beyond its traditional entertainment offerings, initiatives like DT Arts Market help position the city as a multi-faceted destination with authentic cultural attractions. The airport shop serves as many visitors’ first or last impression of Las Vegas, making it an ideal location to showcase the city’s artistic depth.
The partnership between Harry Reid International Airport and the Arts District represents the kind of innovative thinking that’s helping Las Vegas build a more diverse and sustainable tourism economy, one that celebrates and supports local talent while offering visitors meaningful connections to the community.
Category: Local News, Culture, Business
Subcategory: Cultural Development
Date: 06/24/2025
