The College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame at UNLV was founded in 2003 to honor distinguished individuals and organizations that have made a profound impact on the arts, including visual and performing arts and/or architecture, in Las Vegas and around the world.

2023 Inductees and Award Recipients

Hall of Fame Inductees

Brad Garrett
Emmy and SAG Award winning actor, comedian and writer, most known for his role as "Robert Barone" on the iconic television series Everybody Loves Raymond.

Virko Baley
Jacyk Fellow at Harvard Ukranian Research Institute and distinguished professor of music, composer-in-residence, and co-director of NEON, an annual composers’ conference at UNLV.

Gloria Dea
A trailblazer in the magic community, the first person to perform magic on the Las Vegas Strip, debuting in 1941 at 18 years old at the El Rancho Hotel.

Clarence Gilyard
Actor and professor at UNLV, best known for his roles as “Conrad McMasters” on Matlock and as “Jimmy Trivette” on Walker, Texas Ranger. Gilyard died in November. Read his Washington Post obituary.

James Stanford 
Multimedia artist well known for transforming historic neon signage and architectural elements of Las Vegas into mesmerizing modern mandalas.

Dean's Medal Recipient

Nelson Sardelli
A Las Vegas lounge legend who entertained on the famed Las Vegas Strip, opening shows for Judy Garland and other stars.

Alumni of the Year

Cecilia Schafler
Landscape architect, designer, educator, founder, and president of Lage Design, named in honor of her grandmother, her first design instructor.

Dwayne Eshenbaugh
Award-winning, Las Vegas-based architect and ardent humanitarian whose firm, NOVUS Architecture, employs 10 UNLV alumni.