Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum to Host
“Desert Opus – Summer of Schubert” Concert, 7/12
The Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum will offer an afternoon of art, music and inspiration with “Desert Opus – Summer of Schubert,” a string quintet concert on Saturday, July 12 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Adding to the museum’s continuation of public concerts, the matinee performance will feature and pay tribute to the music of Austrian composer, Franz Schubert, along with a special presentation by musicologist, Heather Buffington-Anderson. Following the concert, a reception will be held with light refreshments available for attendees.
“We welcome guests to beat the summer heat and experience the remarkably talented ‘Desert Opus’ quintet with us,” said Laura Sanders, executive director of the Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum. “It’s important to celebrate the arts in all forms and generations – from the music of legendary Franz Schubert to the extraordinary life’s work of Rita Deanin Abbey and everything in between. We are grateful to continue our evolving lineup of concerts in a space that is deeply enriched in art, culture and curiosity.”
Schubert’s music bridges the late Classical and early Romantic periods and is known for lyrical melodies, expressive harmonies and innovative modulations. He was a prolific composer, writing extensively in various genres, symphonies, chamber music and more.
The “Desert Opus” concert will include the talents of violist Arturo Hernández Gómez, violinists James Anderson and Deborah Kim, and cellists Kimberley Kistler and David Warner. Additional information about each performer is provided below.
Arturo Hernández Gómez
Arturo Hernández Gómez is a professional musician residing in Las Vegas. He plays violin, viola, and mandolin in styles ranging from classical to pop, folk and jazz. Hernández Gómez is also a professional music arranger. Alongside performing and arranging, he has been teaching music for over ten years in the Las Vegas Valley in both group and private class settings. Some professional credits and affiliations include performances with Andrea Bocelli, the Latin GRAMMYS, the Latin Billboard Awards, Annex Quartet and the Las Vegas Young Artists Orchestra, as well as playing in the pit orchestra for local musical theatre productions.
James Anderson
A Fort Collins, Colorado native and violinist since age five, Anderson is at home in several musical areas – including classical, jazz, tango, bluegrass/old time and more – and has appeared on over 40 recordings. Anderson has been featured in concert halls around the globe and has collaborated with such artists such as Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, Marcia Ball, Fyfe Dangerfield, Carolyn Wonderland and more. Anderson is currently based in Las Vegas and is an in-demand violinist and teacher on the vibrant music scene. 
Deborah Kim
Kim is a classically trained violinist with over a decade of experience performing and teaching across the U.S. She studied violin performance and business at Pepperdine University on a full scholarship, where she served as Concert Mistress and performed in major productions including “Into the Woods” and “The Marriage of Figaro.” She continued her studies at Belhaven University, performing as a soloist in “Big Fish “and playing with the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. In addition to freelancing for weddings, churches and events, she occasionally plays with the Henderson Symphony Orchestra. 
Kimberley Kistler
Kistler is a versatile cellist, singer and recording artist known for her engaging performances and ability to adapt across a variety of musical genres. Originally from California and now based in Las Vegas, she has built a career that bridges classical, contemporary and crossover styles. Whether performing solo or with ensembles, Kistler brings her unique artistry and technical excellence to every project.
David Warner
Warner is a Las Vegas-based cellist, multi-instrumentalist and award-nominated composer. He studied cello performance at California State University, Fullerton and University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Warner has performed with artists such as Adele, Imagine Dragons and Sarah Brightman, and recently finished a national Broadway tour with “Dear Evan Hansen.” He has composed and recorded music for several productions, including the off-Broadway show “2 1/2 Breaths” and multiple underscores for Marin Shakespeare Festival, where he was nominated for Best Original Score. David also holds two patents for instrument design and enjoys making custom art-piece instruments, which have been played on stages around the world.
Now available for purchase online, tickets to attend the “Desert Opus – Summer of Schubert” concert are priced at $30 per person and must be reserved in advance.
Visit www.ritadeaninabbeymuseum.org for more information about the Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum or to plan a visit.
About the Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum
Visitors will enter the extraordinary world of a gifted artist. Rita Deanin Abbey’s imagination, talent, and beauty of spirit, influenced by her love of the desert southwest, are offered in a 10,500 square-foot museum that showcases the astonishing variety of her work, from abstract expressionist paintings to stained-glass windows, sculptures, landscapes, figure studies, murals, enamels, and more. In 2024, Abbey was inducted posthumously into the University of Nevada, Las Vegas College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame for her remarkable career. The museum was awarded Silver in the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s 2024 Best of Las Vegas Awards for “Best Art Gallery.” In 2023, the museum was named “Best Suburban Art Space” in Desert Companion magazine’s “Best of the City” issue.
The museum, located at 5850 N. Park Street in northwest Las Vegas, is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available by appointment only and may be purchased online. For more information, follow the museum on Instagram or Facebook or visit www.ritadeaninabbeymuseum.org.