Summerlin's art events inspire young artist

Recent Palo Verde High School graduate and Summerlin resident Abby Soto credits her community with furthering her career as an artist.

"Summerlin has given me the opportunity to publicly display my drawings at its art-oriented events," she said. "The community's art events have been open to artists of all ages with various levels of experience, making it a comfortable environment to showcase work."

For three years, Soto has participated in the community's annual La Strada dell' Arte street painting festival.

Maria Soto, Abby's mother, said her daughter's street sketches became increasingly more sophisticated each year.

"Abby started out drawing animals, but recently began incorporating more people into her work. She enjoys people watching and usually draws her subjects in an exaggerated context," Maria Soto said.

"My dream is to advance the comic industry. I want others to realize that comics are not just men running around in tights, but a true art form," Abby Soto said.

She described her style as unique and independent from the influence of other artists. This fall, she will attend Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia.

In addition to the art festival, Soto won last year's community competition to create the image on the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area's annual pass. Each year, The Howard Hughes Corp., developer of Summerlin, purchases thousands of the passes to give to new-home buyers within the community.

"It's residents like Abby who serve as our inspiration to continue to program cultural and arts events in Summerlin," Hughes executive Kristi Overgaard said.

Overgaard said cultural activities underscore the community's commitment to creating a quality lifestyle for its residents.

Located along the western rim of the Las Vegas Valley, the community is being developed in villages and is home to golf courses, parks, trails, schools, houses of worship, shopping centers, medical facilities, cultural facilities and business parks.

Available single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums are showcased by nearly 150 models. They are priced from the mid-$100,000s to more than $700,000. Custom-home sites in The Ridges are priced from the $500,000s to more than $1 million, and predesigned custom homes are priced from $2.1 million.

Apartments offer monthly rents starting from the high $700s.

For more information, visit www.reviewjournal.com/realestate and click on the Summerlin link.

Real Estate home