Alvarez, Paco, 1974-

Las Vegas native Brian ‘Paco’ Álvarez is an anthropologist, entrepreneur and thought leader in the arts. He holds a master’s degree in Urban Leadership from the School of Public Policy and Leadership at the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs at UNLV and a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology. Paco is the founder of two-start-ups, Psionic Art Works and Fabulous Story Tours. His passion for art and culture has been the driving force behind his career, but most importantly realizes that his passion is what drives a dynamic economy. Paco was the inaugural museum manager at Museum Fiasco located at the Area 15 arts and entertainment complex. He was also the Art Curator, Corporate Historian and Buyer for Zappos.com, Inc. Paco's extensive knowledge of Las Vegas history, art, culture and leadership, caught the eye of eCommerce retailer Zappos.com. During his tenure, he curated a successful visual arts program that included local, regional, national and international artists. Preserved and curated the Zappos corporate archives and founded the successful and profitable on-site retail destination known as the Z'Boutique. He was also, the founding Curator of the Las Vegas News Bureau Photo and Film Archives, a unit of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, interim Curator of the Neon Museum, Curator of the City of Las Vegas Office of Cultural Affairs Las Vegas Centennial Project, Curator of the Hispanic Museum of Nevada and Collections Manager of the Liberace Museum. Paco has completed curatorial projects for the Siegfried and Roy Costume Collection, Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency's Historic 5th Street School, L. Maynard Galleries and has consulted on overseas projects in London. In 2008, he curated the "Beneath the Neon" exhibition based on the acclaimed book by the same name, authored by Matthew O’Brien. Paco has proudly served as a trustee to the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation, US Senate Curatorial Committee, board member of the Contemporary Arts Center of LV, the Hispanic Museum of Nevada, the Nevada Museums Association, 18b Arts District Association, Preserve Nevada and Chairman of the Liberace Foundation for the Performing & Creative Arts. In addition, he has served as a member of the City of Las Vegas Arts Commission and RTC Art in Transit Advisory Council.

Within this oral history, Paco shares stories of growing up in Las Vegas, attending VoTech High School where He was student body president in 1993, his multi-cultural background, and his enthusiasm and passion for Las Vegas—its history and its art community.