Wanted: Visually stimulating art and artifacts that make the heart swell. Must be vibrant, creative, illuminating, and inspirational. Genre is unimportant, as long as it has the power to inform, transform, and transport all who see it. For immediate consideration, please possess the ability to spark conversation, and elicit an emotional response.
Start your journey at Palm Springs Art Museum. Celebrating 75 years means breathtaking surprises for art lovers. The Season opener is Richard Diebenkorn: The Berkeley Years, 1953-1966, which runs through Feb. 16, 2014. Art patron Helene Galen will share prized works from her collection November 1, 2013 – January 31, 2014. Fans of traditional art, revel in the Impressionist Masters series, June 28 through Sept. 7, 2014.
Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs
760-322-4800
Palm Springs Art Museum, 72567 Hwy. 111, Palm Desert.
760-346-5600
www.psmuseum.org
Explore Perez Road Art and Design, where many of Cathedral City’s most inventive artists of various disciplines have set up shop. View stellar works of art at Colin Fisher studios. Peruse this clever loft space with its carefully curated antiques, paintings, sculptures, and more.
68929 Perez Rd., Unit M, Cathedral City.
760-324-7300
www.perezroad.com
Cahuilla Indian culture has been deeply rooted in the Coachella Valley for thousands of years. Learn about the history of this rich civilization at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. Through late 2013, enjoy online exhibitions including What’s the Score? American Indians in Sports, and Crossroads & Intersections, which delve into the Indian influence on Palm Springs’ infrastructure.
901 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs.
760-778-1079
www.accmuseum.org
Immerse yourself in the complete history of Hollywood and filmmaking at the Motion Picture Hall of Fame. See wondrous displays featuring traditional cell animation, romance, comedy, sci-fi, and more. The hall educates as it entertains.
504 N. Cantera Cir., Palm Springs.
760-320-3128
www.motionpicturehalloffame.info
Palm Springs Air Museum is one of the top-rated draws in the Coachella Valley. This nonprofit attraction provides an exploration of aviation. Vintage aircrafts are prominently displayed. These interactive exhibits also allow visitors to climb into the planes for closer examination. This display puts the public in close proximity to these rare works of mechanical art.
745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs.
760-778-6262
www.palmspringsairmuseum.org
La Quinta Museum showcases beautiful artifacts and educational tools that enlighten visitors. Previous exhibitions included The Mysteriously Enchanting Salton Sea. A new crop of seminars and works is planned for audiences in 2014. See Creativity in La Quinta — Take Two from Oct. 10 through Jan. 4, 2014.
77885 Avenida Montezuma, La Quinta.
760-777-7170
www.la-quinta.org
Access the best names in art, high-end furniture, and other design elements at The Art Place in Palm Desert. Gather your friends or your beloved and stroll through the Art Walk on the first Friday of each month. Examine paintings, home accents, and other fine interior pieces sold by The Art Place’s many boutiques.
41801 Corporate Way, Palm Desert.
408-436-1710
www.theartplacepd.com
Uptown Palm Springs Art and Design District attracts art aficionados who appreciate the chic traditions of modern architecture and contemporary design. Raymond|Lawrence is a brilliant aggregator for sleek and cutting-edge pieces that you just won’t find anywhere else. Feast your eyes on sculpture, home wares, and paintings. Just a stone’s throw away, stroll through Shag’s mod works at the gallery bearing the same name.
Shag The Store
725 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs.
760-322-3400
www.shagthestore.com
Environmentalists, science enthusiasts, and nature lovers, embrace the indigenous beauty of this region and other countries at the Hi-Desert Nature Museum. Parents, allow your children to familiarize themselves with the art and culture of France, Sweden, and other lands each Wednesday. Partake in Science Saturdays to learn about the inner workings of electricity, or optical illusions.
57116 Twentynine Palms Hwy., Yucca Valley.
760-369-7212
www.hidesertnaturemuseum.org
Cabot’s Pueblo Museum, located in Desert Hot Springs, was ahead of its time. Built by homesteader Cabot Yerxa in the 1920s, the structure boasts an impressive 5,000 square feet and is constructed from repurposed material found throughout the desert. The museum also features colorful artifacts like those from 2013’s Mata Ortiz exhibit.
67616 Desert View Ave., Desert Hot Springs.
760-329-7610
www.cabotsmuseum.org
President Obama experienced the sweeping majesty of Sunnylands at the Annenberg Retreat firsthand when he visited Rancho Mirage. He’s not the only one. The property holds a legacy as a meeting place for dignitaries and other notables. Stroll through the cactus garden — the largest in the world — while on a Garden Walk. Or take a historic estate tour of the main house, which is elegantly decorated and breathtaking to experience. In spring 2014, enjoy the March Music Series every Sunday.
Sunnylands Center & Gardens
37977 Bob Hope Dr., Rancho Mirage.
www.sunnylands.org
Share in the rich heritage of the desert with a visit to the Coachella Valley History Museum. For 25 years, volunteers have been the life blood of this esteemed cultural stop. Tourists and history lovers have been its driving force.Experience the festivity of Dia de los Muertos: 1st-Annual Celebration, Nov. 1.
82616 Miles Ave., Indio.
760-342-6651
www.coachellavalleymuseum.org
Every first Wednesday of the month from 6 to 9 p.m., head to Backstreet Art District for an art walk showcasing emerging local talent. Watch as artists work in their chosen media. Meet your favorite creators at any of the 12 spaces, including Bill Anson Gallery and Haya Modern Art Gallery, and see their works up close.
South Cherokee Way, Palm Springs.
Finally, head to the posh El Paseo Art Galleries for First Fridays, and an engaging look at contemporary artists making a splash on the national and international landscape. At Coda Gallery, enjoy pieces by Christopher Young and David Dornan. Stroll through Melissa Morgan Fine Art for a rousing closer look at works by Ashley Collins, Richard Erdman, and Michael Childers. Artists are introduced regularly, so there’s always an opportunity to acquire new pieces or discover new names.
• Melissa Morgan Fine Art
73040 El Paseo, Palm Desert.
760-568-0336
www.melissamorganfineart.com
• Coda Gallery
73151 El Paseo, Palm Desert
760-346-4661
www.codagallery.com
