From Sketches to Strategy: The Creative Legacy of Canyon Creative

For nearly three decades, Dale Sprague has blended artistry, business savvy, and resilience to build one of Las Vegas’s most respected branding firms.

It began with a pencil in a first grader’s hand.

Dale Sprague was only seven years old when his teacher spotted something unusual in his drawings. She pulled his parents aside and urged them to nurture his gift. They listened, enrolling their son in private art lessons that lasted seven years. “I became a fine artist at first, and just always loved art,” Dale recalls. Sports were his other passion, and soon classmates began calling him the “artist jock.” The label stuck, foreshadowing the balance of creativity and discipline that would define his life’s work.

From Disney Accounts to a Leap of Faith

After graduating from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in communication design, Dale spent thirteen years in Boston, climbing the ranks of prestigious design studios. His last role was Vice President of a firm whose largest client was none other than Walt Disney World. The work meant frequent flights to Orlando, where he eventually met his future wife, Ann.

The decision to marry led to another life-changing choice: Orlando or Boston. Dale chose love and sunshine. In time, he and Ann launched Canyon Creative, combining his design expertise with her skills as a writer and strategist.

Their client list grew to include iconic names like Caesars Entertainment, Wynn Resorts, Ethel M Chocolates, and, of course, Disney. “We’ve had quite a journey,” Dale says, reflecting on those early wins. Yet it wasn’t all glamorous. Running a business demanded grit, patience, and sometimes sacrifice.

Built on Perseverance and Care for People

Dale doesn’t romanticize entrepreneurship. “Everybody says that, oh, it’s great, you own your own business, but it’s very challenging, and some years are terrible. You take very little money, and it’s challenging to keep the business going,” he admits.

Canyon Creative endured economic downturns and, most recently, the pandemic. “During COVID, we kept everybody. Some employees had to take pay cuts, including ourselves, but we always seemed to get through it,” Dale explains. “Perseverance and determination were probably the number one and two things we lived by.”

For Dale and Ann, the guiding principle was always to protect their employees. That commitment carried through when, in May 2025, Canyon Creative was acquired by Bouvier Kelly, a full-service advertising agency based in Greensboro, North Carolina. Dale made sure his team went with the business. “We wanted to make sure that they were taken care of,” he says. Today, the Las Vegas office remains home to three dedicated employees, while Ann has stepped into a well-earned retirement.

Creativity at the Core

What makes Canyon Creative stand out in a crowded field of agencies? For Dale, the answer is simple: creativity. “Our creativity always leads the way,” he says with pride. “We’ve been very fortunate to work with wonderful clients, including Walt Disney Company, Wynn Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, Ethel M Chocolates, and many more.”

But creativity alone doesn’t explain the company’s longevity. Adaptability has been just as crucial. “When we first started, there was really no computer, and we did everything by hand. No internet, it was just starting. We’ve had to reinvent our business three different times, and now it’s even changing with the development of AI,” Dale notes. Instead of resisting, Canyon Creative leaned into the change, helping clients prepare for a future where artificial intelligence shapes branding and marketing strategies.

Relationships That Fuel Growth

For Canyon Creative, growth has never been about flashy ads or aggressive sales pitches. It has always been about relationships. “Most of our business really came from word of mouth and networking,” Dale explains. His involvement with the Las Vegas Executive Association (LVEA) has been especially impactful. He joined 17 years ago, eventually becoming president, and remains active on mentorship and membership committees.

The group, made up of about 100 vetted local companies, became both a referral source and a support network. Dale has also stayed deeply engaged with the Vegas Chamber, strengthening ties across the business community.

This people-first approach has shaped Canyon Creative’s reputation as a trusted partner. “We’ve become a very good partner. We listen well, we do fantastic creative work, and we’re up on the trends,” Dale says. “We can advise companies very well on where they’re at, where they need to be, and why. And we’re very honest. If we didn’t have good values and integrity, we wouldn’t be in business for 29 years.”

Passing the Torch While Painting New Dreams

With Canyon Creative successfully transitioned to new ownership, Dale finds himself in a new role: an employee for the first time in 30 years. It is temporary, though. His plan is to stay on for nine months to ensure a smooth handoff before pursuing his next chapter.

That chapter brings him full circle to the passion he discovered at age seven. “I’m an oil painter, and I intend to continue that and build up that business and portfolio as I go,” Dale shares. There may also be a move to Tennessee in the near future, but art will remain at the center. And though he may step away from the daily grind of running a company, he intends to stay connected to professional networks like the International Executives Association and LVEA.

A Legacy of Trust and Vision

Canyon Creative’s story is one of endurance, evolution, and care for people. Dale and Ann Sprague built more than a business; they built a creative home where values mattered as much as vision. For clients, that translated into branding and marketing work that was not only visually striking but also strategically sound and deeply authentic.

As Canyon Creative moves forward under new ownership, Dale’s fingerprints remain on its foundation. His mix of artistry, resilience, and community spirit continues to inspire. And for those who seek a partner who listens first, creates with intention, and adapts with the times, Canyon Creative remains a name worth remembering.

You can learn more at www.bouvierkelly.com or follow Canyon Creative on social media: Facebook: Bouvier Kelly Inc., and Instagram: @bouvierkellyagency.

This feature is part of The Business View Journal’s Local Spotlight Series — your trusted source for discovering the best small businesses in your community.