Beatles legend Ringo Starr is making Las Vegas history this September with an unprecedented artistic double-header at The Venetian Resort. The 85-year-old drummer will simultaneously showcase his visual artwork and headline music performances, offering fans a rare glimpse into his creative world beyond the drum kit.
According to PR Newswire, the "STARR ART" exhibition will run from September 5 to October 15 at Animazing Gallery in the Grand Canal Shoppes. This marks Ringo's first art show since 2019 and the very first time he will present his original paintings alongside limited edition and signed works.
A Different Kind of Strip Performance
The timing perfectly aligns with Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band's residency at The Venetian Theatre. As reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, his band returns for shows on September 17, 19, 20, 24, 26 and 27, all starting at 8:30 p.m. Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Warren Ham, Hamish Stuart, Buck Johnson and Gregg Bissonette make up the current All Starrs lineup.
This makes Starr one of the few performers to command multiple venues on the Strip simultaneously, transforming The Venetian into a comprehensive Ringo experience spanning both visual and musical artistry.
From Drumsticks to Paintbrushes
As per PR Newswire, Ringo began painting with acrylics and oils before transitioning to computer-based compositions in the late 1990s. Since his first exhibition titled "My Faces" in 2005, his artwork has continued to evolve across different mediums and techniques.
His latest fascination involves Spin Art, which he discovered through online videos. "I loved Spin Art the first time I saw it," Ringo explained to PR Newswire. "I saw a video of some kids doing it and I thought I'm going to try that. I started with a small canvas and now I'm working on huge ones." The technique's unpredictability appeals to him, creating surprising overflow patterns that become their own artistic pieces.
His work falls within the Pop Art tradition and has drawn comparisons to Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, featuring colorful, bright images with everyday imagery infused with trademark humor and messages of peace and love.
Vegas Beatles Connection Comes Full Circle
This exhibition carries special significance given Las Vegas' deep Beatles history. The Las Vegas Review-Journal notes that The Beatles played two shows at the Las Vegas Convention Center during their first extensive U.S. tour on August 20, 1964.
The connection continued with "Love" by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage, which opened in June 2006 with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison in attendance. As mentioned by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, that show closed in July 2024 after an 18-year run. With the Beatles theatrical presence now gone from Vegas, Starr's dual residency carries added significance as the sole remaining Beatles member actively performing in the city.
Charitable Focus and Collector Events
True to form, 100 percent of Starr's artist proceeds will benefit his charity, the Lotus Foundation. This charitable component aligns with his annual July 7 Peace and Love initiative, which, according to The Venetian Resort, has blossomed into a worldwide movement.
The exhibition will be open to the public, with the gallery hosting a private event exclusively for collectors who purchase his art. More details about this collector event will be announced soon.
Still Breaking New Ground at 85
This Vegas debut as a visual artist represents another milestone for Starr, who continues breaking new ground well into his eighth decade. In January 2024, The Venetian Resort reports he released "Look Up," his first country album in more than 50 years, which earned his first top 10 on Billboard's Top Album Sales chart and his first solo number one album on the UK Official Country Chart.
While Ringo is collected worldwide and has exhibited in Europe, South America, Australia, and the United States, this marks his Vegas debut as a visual artist. The September exhibition creates a unique opportunity for local collectors and tourists to witness a living legend's creative evolution beyond his Beatles legacy, cementing Las Vegas as a destination for both musical and visual artistry from rock and roll royalty.
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