The Nuwu Art Gallery and Community Center is growing its Las Vegas presence with a new spot in the Arts District.
Rents have been steadily rising in the Las Vegas Arts District over the past several years. The nonprofit Indigenous AF saw an opportunity to bring more arts businesses to the 18-block neighborhood.
Artist and Indigenous AF founder Fawn Douglas says she’s noticed that people of color typically don’t own their own art spaces. It’s why the Nuwu Art Gallery and Community Center, which she opened on Maryland Parkway in 2022, is owned by people of color. She says it offers artists an affordable alternative.
“Currently with our arts studios, we’re able to stay way below market price for rentals, you know just because we do own our spaces,” she said.
Indigenous AF secured grants allowing it to showcase 12 exhibits and pay over 100 artists. With community support, they were able to put a bid on a new location in the Arts District.
The new space, called Wai, is slated to include an art gallery, mixed space and retail front. It will be one of few places showcasing authentic Native artisans year round, Douglas says.
“It's not just, ‘Here's a bunch of stuff on the table or in the retail store,’ but ‘Here's a little bio about the artists who made this. Here's the tribe that they're from. Here is the community they serve,’ ” Douglas said.
Wai is expected to open in early 2026.
