“The Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum is not just a space to view art — it is a venue where visitors can truly connect with the creative spirit of a remarkable artist.” ~ Laura Sanders, executive director.
Abbey dedicated her life to exploring and expressing the beauty of the Southwest through her art, a passion that defined the New Jersey native from when she studied at the University of New Mexico. Her diverse work, which she displayed at shows around the world, spans painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, porcelain, and stained glass, often drawing inspiration from the desert landscapes she loved.
Abbey moved to Las Vegas in 1965 to teach at UNLV, where she was among the first art professors. She remained there for 22 years, and the university honored her in spring 2024 by inducting her into the College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame.
Visit by appointment only. Pick a date from the calendar to reserve your time to visit. Typical visits are one to two hours.
A unique and varied museum experience - the singular artist, Rita Deanin Abbey worked across multiple media, over decades. It was fascinating to see how her visions changed and grew. A beautiful building that allows the works to shine.
What an amazing art collection by an extraordinary woman! Truly a hidden gem in northwest Las Vegas. They should have tours from the strip to this museum. Rita Deanin Abbey's work ranks among the best artists in the world. And such variety of artwork from paintings, to bronze, to woodworking to large outdoor sculptures. HIghly recommend.
Such a lovely place....in all ways. Rita's skills are amazing and so are the ways her works are displayed. We had a terrific experience and recommend this Art Museum to any and all!
My 5th or 6th visit - My husband's 1st. We both LOVE RDA Museum!! The fact that ALL works shown are ALL by Rita herself - One Artist!! Very impressive!! - as well as the various media!!
Willow's explanations furthered our understanding of the museum. I learn something new with each visit. Shocking to hear the works contained within this building are only 1/10th of Rita's works!! Rita was prolific in creating beauty.
Holding events in the living space area is brilliant!
I continually inform people when I travel or I'm just "out" in the Las Vegas area this is a Must-See. (and it's only a 10-minute drive from our house!)
Thank You to Everyone at the RDA for continuing the smooth operation for all to enjoy! We'll return as long as RDA stands! My husband & I feel very fortunate to visit the visions of a very special couple who created this treasure.
Bev Herring-Black
Member of RDA Museum
What a gem in the Mojave Desert! We really enjoyed experiencing so many artworks in so many varied media created by a single artist over decades of work. The openness of the exterior galleries was showcased well with views of both the surrounding mountains and The Strip.
The tour with our docent, Brooklyn, on Saturday, 5/3/25, was better than my family could imagine. The life and career of Rita Abbey was absolutely amazing. Her art works in the massive museum is a beautiful tribute to her talent. I highly recommend everyone in Vegas visit.
Abbey Art Museum is placed in the NW valley with panoramic views. The artist from Passaic experienced Taos in the 50s changing her forever. Her superb metallurgy is displayed in much of her sculpture, especially in her anatomical displays. Visit the evolving sculpture garden. Her bima art of the Ten Commandments is quite inspirational.
Enjoy. First Saturday free admission.
So glad we went. Rita Deanin Abbey was a talented and prolific artist across many media. The collection covers her decades of experimentation and discovery. Many stunning and beautiful works. The exhibit space and grounds, including the sculpture garden are outstanding. Well worth the visit.
We loved the museum and the location in North Vegas. The variety of techniques the artist mastered was impressive. I especially liked her works using porcelain and the outdoor sculpture garden. The docent staff were friendly and knowledgeable. We have been recommending the museum to our friends and the Uber and Lyft drivers we used during our stay. Most never knew the museum existed.
This museum is an absolute jewel! The art is beautifully displayed and showcases a variety of mediums. The museum staff is friendly and very knowledgeable. Definitely worth a visit!