Hall of Fame
There is no higher priority for us than the health and safety of our patrons, artists, students, and employees. The university and College of Fine Arts are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and following the recommendations of the CDC and Southern Nevada Health District.
About the Hall of Fame
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.
We are pleased to announce our 2021 Hall of Fame gala will take place on campus in April. We ask guests attending our event to comply with the following UNLV guidelines for campus visitors.
2021 Inductees and Award Recipients
Hall of Fame Inductees
Ann-Margret
Actress and Hollywood Legend
Ann-Margret was America's Sweetheart and a leading actress of her generation, winning five Golden Globes, two Oscar nominations, two Grammys, an Emmy, and starring alongside several of Hollywood's leading men throughout her illustrious career.
Dave Hickey
Acclaimed Writer & Cultural Critic
Dave Hickey is an art critic and former UNLV faculty member who was awarded the MacArthur Fellowship – the “genius grant” – while a professor in the UNLV Department of Art.
Mac King
Comedic Magician
Mac King is the No. 1 comedy magician in the world today according to MAGIC Magazine. He’s performed over 10,000 shows on The Strip and has performed world-wide, both live and on television.
Scott “Carrot Top” Thompson
Comedian
Scott Thompson has been making audiences around the world laugh for more than three decades with his creative comedy. Since his debut on “Star Search,” he has soared to success and is one of the most recognizable entertainers in the world.
Dean's Medal Recipients
Justin Favela
Mixed Media Installation Artist
Justin Favela is a mixed media artist and a UNLV alum. He is known for large-scale installation and sculptures that represent his interactions with American pop culture and the Latinx experience.
Candy Schneider
The Smith Center’s VP of Education & Outreach
Candy Schneider is the Vice President of Education and Outreach for The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Her professional career is dedicated to enhance arts education and she serves as the liaison for the Southern Nevada Ensuring Arts for Any Child Initiative.
College of Fine Arts Alumni of the Year
Giovanna Sardelli
Stage Director
Giovanna Sardelli is Director of New Works for TheatreWorks Silicon Valley in Northern California. While open to directing many types of performances, she especially enjoys working with active, living playwrights on never-before-produced plays.
Sush Machida
Artist
Sush Machida is a Japanese-born, American-based artist whose work combines modern pop art with traditional Japanese symmetry and animal themes resulting in a completely unique, attention-grabbing style all his own.
Las Vegas Newcomer Award
Brian Newman
Trumpeter and Vocalist
Brian Newman is a trumpeter and vocalist who is elevating jazz by melding jazz influences with his love of rock bands. His late-night Vegas residency is an homage to old Las Vegas.
Thanks to our Hall of Fame Sponsors
A special thanks to the following sponsors:
- Barbara M. Barron
- Don and Dee Snyder
- Nancy J. Uscher, Ph.D. Dean, UNLV College of Fine Arts
Information
Date
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Time
5:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception/UNLV Jazz Band Livestream
6:00 p.m. Dinner & Induction Ceremony
Place
Valerie Pida Plaza, UNLV Campus
Event Attendance
- Virtual Showing – SOLD OUT
- In-Person Dinner & Awards Ceremony – SOLD OUT
Parking
Free Parking is available in LOT D, the Student Union parking lot on Maryland Pkwy and Harmon Ave.
Inspiring the Students
The College of Fine Arts at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has become a leader in preparing students for careers in the arts. Our students have gone on to become award-winning producers and directors; they have danced on Broadway and on the stages of some of the most extraordinary shows in the world; and they have designed award-winning resorts, golf courses, and gaming properties. Their success can be attributed to their talent, excellent faculty, and the firsthand experience they received while studying in a city such as Las Vegas.
Many of our students have been inspired by, and learned much from, generous artists who have given so much of their time – persons such as Tony Curtis, Phyllis McGuire, Vince Falcone, Matt Damon, Anthony Zuiker, and other individuals who have taken time out of their demanding schedules to teach UNLV students.
It is only fitting that the UNLV College of Fine Arts establish the College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame at UNLV to honor those people who have contributed to the arts in Southern Nevada.
Past Inductees
- 2020 Inductees – Postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19
- 2019 Inductees — Carolyn Goodman, Oscar Goodman, Ronald Husband, Frankie Moreno; John Katsilometes, Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns, Dean's Medal recipients; Michael Del Gatto, AIA '96 and '99, 2018 College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year
- 2018 Inductees — Denise Scott Brown, Dale Chihuly, Leslie Jackson Chihuly, Guy Laliberté, Myron Martin, Claudette Robinson; Dr. Harvey Allen, William Lowman Dean's Medal recipients; Tim Bavington '90 MFA, 2017 College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year
- 2017 Inductees — Lance Burton, Matthew Gray Gubler, Willie Harris; Carol Channing, Debbie Reynolds, Dean's Medal recipients; George Grove '01, 2016 College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year
- 2016 Inductees — Marlena Shaw, Hugh Taylor, Johnny Thompson; Patrick Duffy, Dean's Medal recipient; Danielle Kelly '07, 2015 College of Fine Arts Alumna of the Year
- 2015 Inductees — Keith G. Boman, M.D., Gary Nelson, Paul Curtis Steelman; Jack A. Rappaport, Dean’s Medal recipient; Joe Aldridge ‘79, 2014 College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year
- 2014 Inductees — Tim Bavington, Sue Kim, Joe Williams (posthumously); June T. Brennan, Dean’s Medal recipient; Ronnie Vannucci '11, 2013 College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year
- 2013 Inductees — Vincent Falcone, Joel Bergman, Jeanette Farmer; Robin & Danny Greenspun, Dean’s Medal recipients; Eric Whitacre ’95, 2012 College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year
- 2012 Inductees — Penn & Teller, George Garlock, Peter Foy (posthumously); Edward D. Smith, Dean’s Medal recipient; David Howryla ’97, ’00, 2011 College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year
- 2011 Inductees — Danny Gans (posthumously), Roger Thomas, The Rainbow Company Youth Theatre; Thomas Schoeman, Dean’s Medal recipient
- 2009 Inductees — Bernice Fischer, Lorraine Hunt-Bono, Liberace (posthumously), Siegfried & Roy, William E. Snyder FAIA
- 2008 Inductees — Robert Goulet (posthumously), Clint Holmes, Tony Marnell, Vassili Sulich, The Killers
- 2007 Inductees — Nancy Houssels, Rich Little, Thomas Schoeman, Anthony Zuiker
- 2006 Inductees — Frederic Apcar, Mary Healy Hayes, John Klai II, Wayne Newton
- 2005 Inductees — Phyllis McGuire
- 2004 Inductee — Tony Curtis
- 2003 Inductee — George Sidney
Nomination Form
Who would you like to see in the College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame next year? Nominate your choice for the 2022 Hall of Fame Award! For details and a nomination form contact:
Suzette Dacuag
College of Fine Arts
UNLV
4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box 455013
Las Vegas, NV 89154-5013
Phone: 702-895-5676
Email: suzette.dacuag@unlv.edu
Contact
Diane Zapach, B.A.
Senior Director of Development
Jennifer Vaughan, B.A.
Communications Director
Suzette Dacuag, B.S.
Manager of Advancement Projects, Marketing and Sponsorships
Shahab Zargari, B.A.
Communications Specialist
