By Debbie Hall
Dray is an internationally recognized painter best known for his large-scale murals, musical-themed abstract canvases, and colorful portraits of beautiful women. He is the Featured Artist of the Month for January at the City of the World Gallery and will be painting live at the gallery from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28.
His work has been exhibited at the Majorie Barrick Museum at UNLV. Dray’s work is in the permanent collection of Nevada State College, the West Las Vegas Arts Center and the Hemlock Alley Mural Project commissioned by the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Economic & Workforce Department. The Hemlock Alley Mural is a six-panel creation spanning a 140-foot wall that pays homage to the history and diversity of the San Francisco culture. Inspired by a continuing strong connection to both cubism and graffiti art, he has obtained congressional recognition from the US Senate and US House of Representatives for his contribution to the arts and community.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Dray was enrolled in the Barnsdall Park Art School in Los Feliz, California, at the age of seven. Later he would focus his talents on studying drafting and architecture, but he is primarily a self-taught painter. Dray moved to Las Vegas in 1999, opened his own gallery in 2015, and continues to be a force in the art scene.
He has worked with the Clark County Cultural Affairs Department and the City of Las Vegas Leisure Services on several significant throughout Las Vegas. From 2004 to 2006, he served on the First Friday Advisory committee.
In 2005, he was selected to participate in a key project for the City of 100 Murals—the largest public art initiative in Las Vegas. As one of five artists chosen by the Springs Preserves, he worked with over 300 4th graders to create a series of murals on the walls at the Preserves facing US 95.
In 2006, Dray was granted a solo exhibition in Sri Lanka for the Sunera Foundation dedicated to fostering the creative vision of young Sri Lanka residents with disabilities. Dray also worked as an art educator at Larkin Street Youth Services in San Francisco. For more info, visit Dray at drayic.com. Follow him on Facebook @ ArtistDrayDizzle.
City of the World, Inc. is an established 501(c)3 nonprofit community art gallery offering programs, workshops, and art for children serving the Valley since 1996.
As the featured artist for January, Dray will be painting at the City of the World Art Gallery at the Meadows Mall, 4300 Meadows Lane, from Saturday, Jan. 28, from 2 to 5 p.m. The gallery is located on the first floor near Macy’s. For more info, call 702-523-5306 or visit cityoftheworldlasvegas.org.