Tour the Frey House II during Modernism Week, Palm Springs.

Although you may not be one of the fortunate few to tour the Frey House  ”in person” you can experience the world-famous mountainside home of eccentric Swiss architect Albert Frey up close and in detail in an exciting VIDEO produced by BeHereTV and narrated by award winning travel expert Christopher Baker. 

The video release coincides with the city’s annual ‘Modernism Week,’ February 12, 2010, when the Palm Springs Art Museum briefly open the doors of FREY HOUSE II to the public for just three short days.

Modernism Week in Palm Springs is the only time one can personally tour this architectural gem of ‘desert modernism.’  With high demand and a very limited tour schedule, only a select few get the opportunity to actually visit the residence and experience the elegant simplicity of this amazing home, built in 1963.  With the video tour’s release, everyone can get to see and learn about this remarkable structure.

With special permission by the Palm Springs Art Museum, BeHereTV recently had the pleasure and privilege of touring this 800 Square foot landmark and taping a segment about the architectural icon and its creator Albert Frey. 

Its originality and significance within the architectural style known as Palm Springs Modernism are evident everywhere you look.

From the mammoth rock situated inside the house, to the corrugated metal ceilings, extensive sliding glass walls and bright yellow curtains in tribute to a native flower, the FREY HOUSE II embodies the personality and style of Albert Frey and the attributes of Modernism so loved today:  simplicity and minimalism. 

Narrated by Christopher Baker, travel writer and author of Palm Springs & Desert Resorts: A Complete Guide our VIDEO TOUR takes you inside the pristine home perched high on the craggy hills above Palm Springs to experience the epic views Frey enjoyed.

Concrete, glass and sheet metal, the elements of sparseness and simplicity are seen in detail.

Tour the kitchen, bedroom, views and pool and see for yourself why the FREY HOUSE II is a closely guarded part of the Palm Springs Art Museum architectural collection.

For more on architect and Palm Springs resident Albert Frey
and Palm Springs Modernism week 2010,  visit: www.modernismweek.com

Presented by the City of Rancho Mirage and the Recreation Commission, the event celebrates the love of art and life in the greater Palm Springs area.  Festival coordinator, Diana Beck smiles as she reflects on how the quality of the exhibits as well as the popularity of the show increases exponentially every year. 

Casually walking through the peaceful, fresh, park setting you will find ceramics, sculpture, textiles, glasswork, watercolor and oil painting, metalwork, photography, and mixed media projects. Many of the same artists return to the Rancho Mirage show every November with great pleasure.  

Painter Jim Stallings, whose clients include individual and corporate collectors from every state and around the world shares that he looks forward to seeing all the friends he has made here over the years.

Complimenting the extensive collection of local, regional and national artists are the live jazz performances center stage. This years performances included LORI ANDREWS, solo harpist. Lori and her quartet have a unique style and sound that enchanted new listeners and veteran fans alike. Lori performed award winning hits from her latest CD release, “After Hours.

 Also performing was NILS, in a return engagement. After wowing the crowd in 2006 with smooth grooves from his CD “Pacific Coast Highway”, Nils presented  his newest release, “Up Close and Personal”.

The Rancho Mirage Art Affaire is a family occasion. Kids and grownups alike will find the creativity and whimsy of the very popular  MAD HATTER paper hat artist irritable.  Streamers, sequins, wild feathers and tons of glue are in great supply as Dads, Grandparents and kids work side by side to create their version of the “best Hat.” The play station is FREE and your creation is yours to keep forever.

Look for information about the 2010 Festival.  Although a year away, mark your calendars so you don’t miss this desert destination treat!!

RANCHO MIRAGE ART AFFAIRE

Open to the public and the trade, the studios and galleries feature contemporary paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry and experimental artwork by knowledgeable and approachable artists.

Backstreet hosts a monthly ART WALK and open studio reception the FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH from 6:00-9:00 PM.  You can find poetry readings, book signings, private art classes, theatrical productions and monthly artist’s receptions at the various galleries.

 
The art district is located at Highway 111 and Cherokee Way behind the Mercedes-Benz Dealership. Look for the big red “ART” on the wall of the building. Most galleries are open Wed-Sun 11-4 and always by appointment.

We invite you to visit the websites of the following Backstreet Art District galleries

ART BY PETER

TED PHILLIP DENTON

ANNETTE MARIE ART COLLECTION

IMAGES BY GIDEON

REDDOT GALLERY

TREVOR GOSS

Come and experience the energy and relaxed vibe of the Backstreet Art District.

Mz. Nichols shares with us the history and evolution of the HEATHER JAMES FINE ART Gallery in Palm Desert and it’s Blue chip stable of artists.

Her interview continues with her perspective of the art and gallery landscape from museum quality fine art at HEATHER JAMES GALLERY to the hip and trendy working artist enclave in Palm Springs known as the BACKSTREET ART DISTRICT.

She discusses new as well as established galleries throughout the desert, one being ROYAL PROJECTS GALLERY in Indian Wells who’s owner, Rick Royal opened his gallery in 2008 with a cutting edge neon show.

The IMAGO GALLERY in Palm Desert has been a prominent art address for years and represents the stunning glass work of Dale Chihuly and Ginny Ruffner among many others.

Along Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs you will find many art as well as Mid Century Modern furniture and collectible galleries.

As the desert resorts area becomes more and more a year round community for young families and continues to be a thriving second home address to the ultra rich, the art world sees the Greater Palm Springs area as a great stage for new and emerging artists as well as the “blue chip” collectibles like Degas, Warhol, Monet and Chagal.

From Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs to El Paseo in Palm Desert, from public art to discrete tucked away private working studios throughout the desert, the art scene in the Coachella Valley is thriving. A great place for cultural inspiration and the perfect place to comfortably browse and find the next piece for your collection.

A premier fine arts festival attracting thousands annually. The Indian Wells Arts Festival brings a splash of color to the beautiful grass concourse of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

This spectacular venue transforms into an artisan village featuring 200 judged and juried artists and hundreds of pieces of one-of-a-kind artwork available for sale.

Watch Glass Blowing, Monumental Rock Sculpting, Wood Carving, Pot Throwing, Weaving and Mural Painting. Glass, Beadmaking and Canvas Stretching Demonstations ALL DAY!

Wine Tasting, Gourmet Market, Children’s Activities, Entertainment and Refreshment add to the festival atmosphere.

TICKETS
Adults – $10 at the gate
Children 12 & Under – FREE
10am – 5:30pm - Gates Close 4:30pm
FREE Parking - Valet Available

 For more information, please visit our website at www.indianwellsartsfestival.com

or call 760.346.0042

78200 Miles Avenue – Indain Wells Tennis Gardens
Indain Wells, CA 92210

What began as a museum about the desert has evolved into an oasis for the arts with Modern and Contemporary American works by artists such as Robert Motherwell, Helen Frankenthaler, Duane Hanson, and Mark di Suvero; Contemporary California painting and sculpture by Sam Francis, Edward Ruscha, Robert Arneson, Nathan Oliveira, and others; Studio Art Glass by Dale Chihuly, Howard Ben Tré, and William Morris; and Classic Western American Art by Thomas Moran, Charles Russell, Frederic Remington, and others.

 The modern building, designed by renowned California architect E. Stewart Williams, is the focal point of the 125,000-square-foot complex that also houses collections of Native American and Mesoamerican Art.

Among the American photographers included in the Photography Collection are the Stephen H. Willard Collection and Archive, and the Bill Anderson Photography Collection.

Architecture holdings include the Albert Frey Archive and Frey House II, and the E. Stewart Williams Architecture Archive.
We invite you to enjoy some of our highlights!

PALM SPRINGS ART MUSEUM 760 322 4800

100 Museum Drive, Palm Desert Ca. http://www.psartmuseum.org