Artist Unveils The Return Exhibit at Sahara West Library
The installation features 6,000 paper butterflies and remains open to the public through November 30.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Fine Art
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Local artist Isaias Hiram Urrabazo is honoring the memory of his friend Max through a new installation at Sahara West Library. The exhibit, titled The Return, uses a grotto-like environment filled with thousands of paper butterflies and marigolds to explore healing from grief.
Why it matters
The display provides a space for community reflection and serves as a local exploration of grief and remembrance. It anchors a series of upcoming cultural events in the valley centered on personal and shared loss.
The exhibit features an installation of 6,000 paper butterflies, a substantial increase from its initial 2025 debut at the library. The total number of personal photographs displayed remains an uncounted figure.
The players
Isaias Hiram Urrabazo
A local artist whose work explores healing from grief through large-scale installations.
Sahara West Library
A facility within the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District hosting the current art exhibit.
Springs Preserve
A cultural and historical center in Las Vegas that will host the artist's upcoming Sacred Light exhibit.
The details
The Return utilizes low ceilings and specific lighting at the Sahara West Library to form a grotto dedicated to the artist's friend. Visitors will find an ofrenda statue of the Virgin Mary, pop-culture skull sculptures, and hundreds of memorial photos. Family members helped construct the piece by manually stringing marigolds and securing the butterflies to garden netting.
Timeline
2025: The Return exhibit first debuted at Sahara West Library.
November 30, 2026: The Return exhibit closes at Sahara West Library.
November 6-8, 2026: Sacred Light exhibit held at Springs Preserve.
Beyond the Strip
This installation follows the artist's 2025 debut at the Sahara West Library, marking a continuation of his work within the library district system. The current project serves as a precursor to his 2026 exhibit at the Springs Preserve.
Residents can visit the Sahara West Library to view the installation through the end of November. Those interested in the artist's next project should mark their calendars for the November 2026 dates at the Springs Preserve.
The takeaway
The installation at the library offers a quiet, community-focused space to engage with themes of remembrance. Residents should plan to visit the display before it closes on November 30, 2026.
What happens next
The artist will present his Sacred Light exhibit at the Springs Preserve from November 6-8, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local installations at the Fine Art section.
More information
For library hours and visitor information, check the Sahara West Library information portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Las Vegas Weekly.
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