By Angela Romeo
Hot time summer in the City is no match for summer in the Desert. Art again proves it is weatherproof and the epitome of sustainable tourism all year round!
Now through September 17, 2018, ART IS…Inc., a California Nonprofit and IRS 501 (3) ( c) Corporation, in conjunction with the Westfield Mall, Palm Desert, has installed Wildlife. The works of recycled metal were created by area resident Christopher James.
The installation, located on the upper level near Aeropostal ®, includes 10-foot long, 600-pound cheetah made from car bumpers, a raccoon, beaver, dragonfly, bird and hummingbird. On the lower level across from Express ® stands an eight-foot bear. The work dovetails with Westfield’s summer program, CAMP Westfield. CAMP Westfield features activities for children and emphasizes recycling. “With that background, my work is a perfect fit,” noted Christopher. “Each piece is created from cast off metal – old wheel barrels, fly wheels propane tanks to trailer-hitch. Nothing is ever trash!” The works are available for sale with a portion of the proceeds benefitting ART IS…Inc.
ART IS…Inc., was formed in May 2017 to promote art education and art awareness. ART Is first event was an artist pop up showcasing the work of area artists. The second pop will be Sunday, July 8 from 11 am to 7 pm. The pop up will be at The Lounge, Westfield Mall, lower level. Participating artists include fashion designer Aneka Brown, Painter Diane Morgan and Photographer Terry Hastings. The event will feature music and discussion. ART IS…encourages public discussion in the lounge area.
ART IS… has several other programs in the works including a forth coming CAN-struction ® project. “We will be announcing location for the can drive,” said Director Romeo. “The cans will be gathered and turned into a work of art. Thereafter the cans will be donated to local food bank FIND FOOD. Those wishing to participate or sponsor this or any other even, can reach us at artiscanonprofit@gmail.com.”
Also opening this weekend is The 2017 Resident Artist Exhibition. Opening night is July 8th at the Joshua Tree Gallery. This year’s artists include Tom Birkner, Ryan Parra, Lisa Marie Rollins and Marium Rana. In addition to works in the gallery, Marium Rana has a mural installation outside on the gallery wall. Lisa Marie Rollins, writer and playwright, will be giving a reading from her play Token on opening night.
The artists are part of the prestigious Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency. For over ten years more than 60 artists have participated in the program. The artists spend seven weeks working absorbed in the beauty of the Mojave Desert. The
2017 Resident Artist Exhibition is the culmination of the residency. This event helps to cement the High Desert’s unique place in the art world.
For more information on ART IS…Inc. and its upcoming event visit www.artiscanonprofit.com or Facebook at www.facebook.com/bringingarttoall
For more information on the summer activities at the Westfield Mall visit https://www.westfield.com/palmdesert
For more information on the Joshua Tree Highlands Artist Residency and Exhibition visit http://www.jthar.com
