LAS VEGAS, NEVADA.- The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (BGFA) provides an oasis for art lovers among a sea of casino games such as blackjack, craps, and slots, offering visitors the chance to see works of arts from some of the masters including Monet, Picasso, and Van Gogh. The exhibitions at the BGFA are arranged with many of the world’s top museums and foundations, giving the millions of visitors to Las Vegas each year a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see some famous painting and sculptures in a convenient, relaxed atmosphere.

The intimate setting of the BGFA is one of its biggest appeals, as it’s tucked away off the main casino area at the Bellagio and the number of guests allowed in at any one time is limited, so you’ll have plenty of elbow room as you stroll through the exhibition space -- and no concerns about having to wade through school groups and other large groups as is often the case at larger art galleries and museums.

The current exhibition at BGFA is “A Sense of Place: Landscapes from Monet to Hockney” which runs through January 2012. More than 30 different pieces are on display -- including paintings, photos, and video installations -- from artists such as Claude Monet, Marc Chagall, Helen Frankenthaler, David Hockney, Sylvia Plimack Mangold, Robert Rauchenberg, Christo, and Vik Muniz. Various styles are on display, from Impressionism to precise representational works to very abstract pieces that are on loan from the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) and MGM Resorts International Fine Art Collection.

The chance to play casino games and enjoy great art isn’t one to be missed, and the BGFA offers both to Bellagio guests and visitors. The gallery also holds special events such as wine tastings and other instructional events, so be sure to check to see what tickets are available during your stay in Vegas. The BGFA is open to anyone -- not just those staying at the Bellagio -- with docent tours available as well as a “locals night” on Wednesdays for Nevada residents with reduced ticket prices.