“Warhol in the Park” - a Valley-wide arts and education community event aimed at engaging area students with the work of iconic pop-art artist Andy Warhol - takes place April 7 in Old Town La Quinta - marking the event’s inaugural showing in the East Valley.
Students from La Quinta and throughout the Coachella Valley are invited to participate in this free event. The curriculum, led by La Quinta’s own Old Town Artisan Studios in partnership with the Palm Springs Art Museum, includes a brief introduction to the life and work of Andy Warhol followed by the students painting their own interpretations of notable Warhol pieces including “Marilyn,” “Campbell’s Soup” and others. “It’s a way of allowing students to get their hands and hearts ‘involved’ and ‘doing’ art,” offers Victory Grund, curriculum lead.
Previous “Warhol in the Park” events in Palm Desert and Palm Springs hosted some 300-plus children and aspiring artists. As with the previous events, the students’ work from the April 7 event will be exhibited on large art walls on display at the venue.
“Warhol in the Park“ runs in conjunction with the Palm Springs Art Museum’s current exhibition - Andy Warhol: Prints From The Collections Of Jordan D. Schnitzer And His Family Foundation - on display at the museum’s Palm Springs location through May 28. Families of students participating in the La Quinta “Warhol in the Park” event on April 7 will receive free admission to the exhibition. Children 18 and under are always admitted to the Palm Springs Art Museum at no charge.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY JORDAN SCHNITZER FOUNDATION
“More than ever, there is such a need to keep kids interested and involved in the arts,” remarks Thomas Burns, executive director of Old Town Artisan Studios – Education Partner for “Warhol in the Park” and host of the La Quinta event. “Our mission has been to support and enhance art programs in the Coachella Valley that have been dramatically cut in funding or all together eliminated. The ‘Warhol in the Park’ program is really focused on the educational art experience for kids! It’s a perfect fit for us!”
“It saddens me that many of the children in the Coachella Valley no longer have access to art classes and arts education,” says Jordan D. Schnitzer, who along with His Family Foundation, is the presenting sponsor of ‘Warhol in the Park’… “so, we’re taking Warhol to the kids!”
Old Town Artisan Studios is located in La Quinta’s Old Town at 78046 Calle Barcelona. The event opens at 1 p.m. with curriculum and painting starting at 1:45pm.
El Paseo Jewelers serves as “Warhol in the Park” title sponsor. Education Partners include: Old Town Artisan Studios, City of Palm Desert, CODA Gallery, Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs, California Desert Arts Council and The Bianca Rae Foundation. “Warhol in the Park” is a Palm Springs Life event.
View a few photos from "Warhol in the Park" event in Palm Desert on March 18. For more, click HERE.
PHOTOGRAPH BY LORETTA VLACH
Artist Jack Finnello celebrates his painting being added to the wall of student artwork from the event.
PHOTOGRAPH BY LORETTA VLACH
Artist Thania Sanchez creates her own interpretation of the Marilyn Monroe painting.
Terra (left) and Evelyn Czech work with Old Town Artisan Studio senior instructor Stefania Ford.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY LORETTA VLACH