With ART as the main attraction, the 34th Annual La Quinta Arts Festival showcases the finest in contemporary artworks presented by 220 of the nation’s premier artists arriving from 35 states, Canada and Argentina to exhibit their original works in Ceramics, Drawing & Pastel, Fiber/Textile, Glass, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Wood. Folk artist Trés Taylor (Booth #105) will preside as the 2016 Featured Festival Artist.

Having commanded the Number One position on the national listings of fine art rankings for three straight years (2013, 2014, 2015), La Quinta Arts Festival is set to return to the spectacular La Quinta Civic Center Campus starting this Thursday, March 3rd through Sunday, March 6th.

The Art of Entertainment:  Art alone does not a festival make – and La Quinta Arts Festival is set to present a variety of performance and musical entertainers that will delight the crowds. This year’s daily line-up includes some returning favorites and surprising new attractions including Lana Chromium, a fine art body painter — winner of GSNTV’s Season 2Skin Wars — who will demonstrate her extraordinary talents on Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm. Lana will be accompanied by art model and dance artist Khalia Frazier, who will interpret Chromium’s painting through original dance and movement. Another fun new act is The Flusters, performing Indie Surf Rock Music Friday afternoon from 2 pm to 5 pm.

Returning favorites include:  Classical Flamenco Guitarist Milton Merlos Jr., and Karamanta Music by Oscar Reynolds, best known for playing the Bolivian pan flutes and guitar simultaneously. Both are slated to perform Thursday through Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. Also returning is The Steve Madaio Band performing Smooth Jazz Favorites on Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 2 to 5pm. A complete entertainment schedule is available at LQAF.com.

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Fabulous Festival Fare:  Art may feed the soul, but it takes great food (and refreshing libations) to satisfy the appetites generated by our festival goers. To this end, La Quinta Arts Festival has partnered with some of the top eateries around to offer the ultimate casual dining experience. Restaurant Row will feature Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Fisherman’s Market & Grill and Shanghai Reds. The Corner Pub will offer Westcoast Hofbrau brats and more, plus a wide selection of high-end craft beers and wine. Lighter fare will be available at Island Bar and Meadow Bar, along with well-known vendors E & E Pel’s Italian Ices, Pasquini Espresso and Brandini Toffee’s luscious hand-dipped ice cream. Stella Artois, the official beer of La Quinta Arts Festival, will be served at all bar locations on site.

Come experience what thousands of art patrons have been raving about for years. Through its commitment to sustain the suburb quality of work and general prestige that its patrons have come to expect from this show year-after-year, La Quinta Arts Festival has firmly established itself as a premier destination for arts and culture. You don’t have to be an art expert to know what you like – and you are sure to discover that one special piece made just for you at La Quinta Arts Festival — the Ultimate Four Day Cultural Experience!

La Quinta Civic Center Campus is located at 78495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA.  Event hours are 10 am to 5 pm. Ticket prices are: Adults $17, Multi-Day Pass $22, Children under 12 are free. Tickets may be purchased in advance at LQAF.com, or at the gate. Free parking is available in designated areas throughout the Village of La Quinta, along with paid valet ($12) and self-parking ($8) options. No pets allowed with the exception of service animals.

La Quinta Arts Festival is presented by non-profit La Quinta Arts Foundation (LQAF) in partnership with Premier Sponsor the City of La Quinta. Major corporate sponsors include Rabobank, and La Quinta Resort as Official Resort Hotel Sponsor. Event proceeds have to date funded LQAF scholarship awards totaling $1.2 million to students pursuing an education in the visual arts. More Info:  www.LQAF.com, 760-564-1244, www.facebook.com/LaQuintaArtsFoundation.

  • Painting by Trés Taylor

  • Painting by Donna Bernstein

  • Painting by Lisa Ashinoff

  • Sculpture by Mark Doolittle

  • Ceramic by Michael Hirsh

  • Jewelry by Adam Neeley