Art in the Desert – Greater Palm Springs area

Visual art in the desert, (Greater Palm Springs area) long thought of as a haven for bad condo prints, southwest knick-knacks and throw-away décor can now hold its own with the best of “big city art” across America.  From the high-end galleries of stylish El Paseo in Palm Desert to the working studios of mid-career professional artists at the Backstreet Art District the “scene” has changed for good and is on the map. 

Maybe it’s the warm desert air and idyllic backdrop of Mt. San Jacinto, but the creativity is abundant and flourishing in the desert. Fine art is approachable here. Artists that relocate here are forced to surrender their egos at the door-perhaps calmed by the sun and the healing waters. Collectors see the value of investing in local artists and watching their careers grow along with their collections. Many studios offer painting and drawing classes for those “who have always wanted to make art but can’t draw a straight line”.  Artists are excited about creating site-specific, one-of-a-kind custom artwork for discerning clients, interior designers and builders.

Collaboration and partnering, often unheard of in the “fine art” world, happen and happen a lot in the desert. There is a sense of an “art family” here. Artists look out for each other, protect and support each other with no compensation expected in return. 

Public art and arts philanthropy are an integral part of desert life. Major works of art grace the boulevards of Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs and just about everywhere you look in Palm Desert.  Other desert cities like Indio, Cathedral City and La Quinta have active and growing public art programs.

Palm Springs Art Museum in downtown Palm Springs and McCallum Performing Arts Center in Palm Desert bring world-class shows, exhibitions and opportunities for art lovers of all varieties together and welcome visitors to share in the collective artistic vision of the Coachella Valley.

The valley-wide collective of talented and highly-experienced visual artists, architects, designers, writers, filmmakers and musical composers and performers, makes the Coachella Valley a world-class destination for the arts. In doing so, the arts enrich and encourage the proud citizens of the desert communities. When we all become involved in the process, the results serve as a testament to other communities that the arts are not a luxury for our modern society but a necessity.

 

Patrick Sheehan is a working artist and owner of  REDDOT Gallery in Palm Springs. For more information about Patrick and the REDDOT Gallery go toREDDOT GALLERY