Eccentric Artists is proud to present the COMMUNITY BUILDERS panel during DAY TWO of the Shameless Plug Arts Festival! Join us as we speak with our guests about the ways they’ve not only found empowerment through creativity, but helped foster it for those around them.

We will highlight the work of three individuals who have utilized the arts as a platform for incredible social impact initiatives that aim to strengthen diversity and connection with locals. Panelists will share their experiences in bringing people together, fostering inclusive spaces, and shaping communities through creativity and collaboration. Come listen along in the courtyard at Container Park for insights on starting initiatives, joining existing ones, learning actionable ways to connect with government leaders, leverage resources, and create lasting foundations right here at home.

Hosts:

Jemsen Yumico Bollozos

Nadine-Abbi Natividad

Panelists:

Angelica Villarta

Mercedez Davis

Ashley “Ms. AyeVee” Vargas

DAY TWO—SHAMELESS UNPLUGGED

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st

Downtown Container Park

707 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Festival Hours: 1pm-6pm

Panel duration:  3:30pm-4:15pm

MERCEDEZ DAVIS

Mercedez is an artist, activist, and community builder. Over the past three years in Las Vegas, she has worked at the intersections of environmental justice, spirituality, politics, and the arts. In 2023, she played a key role in passing the Windsor Park Environmental Justice Act, which secured relocation and restitution for 91 families in a historic Black community affected by environmental degradation and government negligence. In 2024, she served as State Deputy Director for the Marianne Williamson for President campaign, working to expand political discourse around justice and spiritual values. With Eccentric Artists, she co-organized a Town Hall for the Nevada Film Bill, sparking a wave of advocacy among local artists and filmmakers. Mercedez is ever passionate in arts and activism, and continues to champion projects that bring justice, creativity, and community to the forefront.

LINKS: HERE

ANGELICA VILLARTA

Angelica Villarta is a proud CHamoru and Filipina American, longtime Nevada resident, and public figure whose journey spans more than three decades in entertainment, culture, and community leadership. From her beginnings as a lounge singer and touring performer to her work in casting, event production, and program directing, Angelica has built a career rooted in creativity, service, and connection.

Her leadership has left an imprint on every corner of Nevada’s cultural landscape. She has championed events and initiatives such as HAAPIROOTS, Maui Strong, Guåhan Desert Meet, and Filipino Heritage Nights with the Las Vegas Aviators and NBA G-League Ignite. Today, she continues that work through various signature events—where stories are shared, communities are uplifted, and identity is celebrated. She draws on her creative and cultural background to advocate for small businesses, strengthen economic development, and ensure that unique voices are represented in the conversations shaping Nevada’s future. Her work continues to amplify the contributions of entrepreneurs, artists, and cultural leaders—recognizing them not only as storytellers but also as vital drivers of growth.

Most proud of her ability to bridge culture and policy, Angelica continues to inspire reverence for the past, pride in the present, and hope for the future; carrying forward a legacy of leadership that reminds us of the transformative power of authenticity, community, and collaboration.

LINKS:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelicavillarta/ 

https://www.haapiroots.com 

MS. AYEVEE (ASHLEY VARGAS)

Ashley Vargas, also known by her stage name Ms.AyeVee, is an award-winning Afro-latina Literary Artist from Las Vegas, NV and the 2024-2026 Clark County Poet Laureate.

She is a woman of many hats with a passion for Poetry. Her work has been featured by the legendary All Def Poetry, Write About Now & Button Poetry. She has been recognized by the Las Vegas Book Festival, NPR & The US Congress for advancing the cause of literacy & extraordinary literary achievement. In 2022 Ms. AyeVee was an official TEDx speaker for Las Vegas.  She runs a Las Vegas based poetry organization called Beyond the Neon (@btnpoetry) that focuses on poetry exclusive events and community outreach. Ms.AyeVee is promoting her latest poetry collection, Broken Silence.

Follow her poetic journey at https://linktr.ee/Msayevee

LINKS: HERE