Luis Varela-Rico

"Luis has a portfolio of work which makes Nevadans proud.” - Katherine Sisolak, First Lady of Nevada (2019-2023).

Luis Varela-Rico is an artist specializing in large-scale steel sculptures. From a solar-powered 15-foot-tall steel sculpture of a hand gripping a baseball to a 17-by-17-foot minimalist sculpture representing native culture, Luis Varela-Rico has made his mark on Las Vegas. He has designed, fabricated, and installed several iconic public art projects in Southern Nevada, as well as private commissions across the United States. His work garnered the Mayor’s Urban Design Award in 2018, a showcase from Katherine Sisolak, First Lady of Nevada, in 2021, and an invitation from the 2021 Netflix original show, Metal Shop Masters.

Although formally educated at the College of Southern Nevada and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Varela-Rico applies his expertise as an elevator technician and deep knowledge of welding, CNC, and CAD design to engineer precise works of art. He embraces technology to facilitate artistry that is innovative and imaginative.

Varela-Rico is inspired by American artists like Richard Serra and Michael Heizer for their use of materials, scale, and overall aesthetics. Luis says, “I want to create wonder, awe, and an emotional response. A large scale sculpture can define a space, I want to anchor a space with a work. Art is a representation of the culture of a place, and instills pride. I hope that I add to the fabric of our culture.”

Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Varela-Rico’s art and practice is deeply rooted in his Mexican heritage and love for the history of Las Vegas, the city where he was raised. His work is a synergy of machinery, culture, and curiosity.