Art Under the Umbrellas

La Quinta Arts Foundation Presents Another Great Day of Art Under the Umbrellas at Old Town La Quinta on Saturday, January 17th

As seen on the pages of Coachella Valley Weekly, there is no shortage of things to do in the Valley this week. So consider your options wisely, and then head over to Old Town La Quinta for Art Under the Umbrellas on Saturday, January 17th from 10 am to 4 pm where over 80 talented Southern California artists will converge to exhibit their original works of art in every media category. The host band, Steve Madaio & Friends, will offer patrons lively entertainment as they explore the artist booths, shop the Old Town shops, and dine at one of the great restaurants on site.

Saturday’s show will spotlight an amazing textile artist, Virginia Louise Akin from Joshua Tree. A longtime veteran of both Art Under the Umbrellas and La Quinta Arts Festival, Virginia Akin’s “Dali Mama” delicate silk designs are created only with dyes that are imported from France and are considered to be the most beautiful, intense and expensive colors in the world. They are only used by artists and they are still used in couture.

Virginia Louise has been a textile artist and designer for more than three decades, having worked in fashion before the world became computerized and learning from skilled people to do everything by hand. To this day, Akin personally creates all of the color and design in her luxurious wearable art collection.

Also featured is Burbank based Contemporary Artist Stephen Schubert. Once famed for his 3-D wall sculpture realism, Schubert is now an abstract painter. He says he was drawn to the genre because it “allows people to express themselves in very personal and often revealing ways.” Schubert specializes in large scale commission pieces, and loves collaborating with designers. He is always trying new things with textures and paint effects in his colorful contemporary abstracts.

Before establishing himself as a serious artist, Stephen’s varied and storied career paths ranged from working as a bartender in a caboose, and designing windows for FAO Schwartz on 5th Avenue. He was once a DJ, spinning records during the height of the disco craze, then later became a copywriter at a new radio station. Landing the lead role in a local production of Count Dracula started his acting career which ultimately led to becoming the national spokesman for both Macy’s and Lincoln Mercury … which led him to studying acting seriously and a role on a West Coast soap series. He once guest anchored on the E! Channel and even got to razz the character Elaine on a classic episode of “Seinfeld.”

Admission and parking at Art Under the Umbrellas are both free. Old Town La Quinta is located in the Village of La Quinta. Take Washington Street south, go west on Calle Tampico two blocks; Old Town La Quinta will be on the left.

Art Under the Umbrellas is presented by La Quinta Arts Foundation, celebrating its 33rd season in service to its non-profit mission of “Promoting and Cultivating the Arts” through which over $1.1 million has been awarded in visual arts scholarships. Info: www.LQAF.com / 760-564-1244