Unique street art masterpieces are available for viewing right around the corner in Downtown Las Vegas. Far from the stoic galleries of the fine art world and thrust right onto the walls, bridges, and underpasses of busy city streets, street art is as innovative as it is enigmatic. Most artists operate like apparitions with paint brushes, descending on an approved area and rendering their own unique artistic vision in a matter of days, or even hours. If you’re in the Downtown Las Vegas area and want to immerse yourself in an artistic trend that is both thrilling and becoming increasingly popular these days, consider the following top pieces of street art in Downtown Vegas:

“The Horned Lizard” — by artist ROA

Hailing from Ghent, Belgium, street artist ROA is known for his depictions of birds and animals that are native to the areas being painted. He often uses basic color themes, but sometimes introduces full-color renderings to the urban areas that comprise his home range. “The Horned Lizard” was created in 2014 after four grueling days in the desert sun, and now adorns the side of a large building on Stewart and North 6^th in Downtown Las Vegas. It was originally created as part of the Life is Beautiful art festival in 2014.

“Peace Maker” — by artist D*Face

D*Face is a prolific urban artist and an associate of the world-renowned artist Banksy – both hailing from England and mired in the world of innovative street art. One large-scale piece that adorns the walls at 899 Fremont Street in Downtown Vegas is “Peace Maker.” This mural depicts the classic six-shooter with the barrel twisted out to spell the word “peace,” and was created in 2015 in anticipation of the Life is Beautiful event of the same year.

“The Maser Motel” — by artist Maser

Born in Dublin and now working in the USA, Maser became one of Ireland’s leading creative types in the mid-late 1990’s. His artwork emphasizes geometric shapes and simplicity of form, and one of his masterpieces can now be seen at the former Town Lodge Motel in Downtown Las Vegas – now reimagined as the Maser Motel. Maser spent 8 days transforming the walls of the Town Lodge Motel into his vision of artistic perfection. It was created just in time for the Life is Beautiful Event in 2014, and can be seen at 225 North 7^th street in Vegas.

“Corner” — by artist Borondo

Spanish muralist Gonzalo Borondo creates massive murals that are innovative and tend to meld within the confines of the surrounding urban landscape. According to Borondo, “I focus on the public space, I feel the environment, I am always looking at reality. It is there, outside, not here on the canvas or in the gallery, it is outside.” Borondo created “Corner” in 2014 and it represents a compelling version of anamorphic artwork, in which art must be viewed at a specific angle and vantage point to bring the work to life. It can now be seen in downtown Vegas where it occupies one entire side of a massive parking structure. These street art examples are an integral part of a larger event known as the Life is Beautiful Festival (LIB), held annually in Downtown Las Vegas. LIB melds artwork, music, food, and life-learning opportunities in a festival-style setting. Our list of artists is among the many creative types who attend and showcase their unique stylings each year under the desert sun.   References: http://lifeisbeautiful.com/roa-horned-lizard-life-beautiful-2014/ http://www.graffitistreet.com/artists/dface/ http://www.paintthisdesert.com/field-notes/maser-motel http://www.designboom.com/art/maser-interview-lazarides-street-art-04-00-2016/ http://screamlondon.com/blogs/journal/25373825-maser-motel-the-most-vibrant-place-in-las-vegas-this-weekend