By Suzanne Fromkin
With this exhibition, the Artists Council celebrates the culmination of its first year as an independent, non-profit arts organization dedicated to promoting art and artists of the greater Coachella Valley. The Artists Council’s Fall 2019 Exhibition will honor Barbara and Jerry Keller for their many years of support to the Artists Council and the arts in our desert community. The exhibition will be held November 7 – 22 at Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, The Galen and Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden, 72-567 Highway 111, Palm Desert, CA.
In the words of Exhibitions Chair Tony Radcliffe, “Our goal is to demonstrate the high quality of artistic achievement by AC members and to bring a new audience to see their work on exhibition at The Galen, the beautiful gallery at Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert. All of the artwork is for sale, with proceeds split between the artists and the Artists Council.”
Prizes totaling $3000 will be awarded. In addition, attendees to the November 7 exhibition opening reception will have a chance to vote for their favorite artwork for the monetary People’s Choice Awards. You must be a member of the Artists Council to apply. The deadline for art submissions is September 1, 2019. You can become a member and view submission details at artistscouncil.com.
Artworks for the exhibition and cash award recipients will be selected by jurors Daniela Lieja Quintanar and Phoebe Beasly. Ms. Quintanar is a curator at Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE). Working between Los Angeles and Mexico, she is part of the curatorial team of MexiCali Biennial 2018-2019 and Project Coordinator and Contributing Curatorial Advisor for Below the Underground: Renegade Art and Action in the 1990’s Mexico at the Armory Center for the Arts in Pasadena. She also was Research Assistant for the exhibition The Metropolis in Latin America, 1830-1930 of the Getty Research Institute’s Pacific Standard Time:LA/LA. Lieja holds a BA in Ciencias de la Cultura from the Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana, Mexico City and a MA in Art and Curatorial Practices in the Public Sphere from the University of Southern California.
Acclaimed collage artist Phoebe Beasley is the only artist whose work has been awarded the Presidential Seal under two US Presidents—George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton – and was one of 44 artists commissioned to create a collage on a life-size bust of the 44th President Barack Obama. The first African-American woman to become president of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Ms. Beasley also served on the California Arts Council and was honored by the State Department for her participation in the Arts in Embassies Program. She has had numerous national and international solo and group exhibitions, including – Spirit of Martin honoring the legacy of Dr. Marin Luther King, Jr. at the Smithsonian Institution and Portraying Lincoln: Man of Many Faces, based on the life and work of President Lincoln. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Ohio University, Masters from Kent State University and Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Ohio University.
“In keeping with the core value of long-term commitment to the professional development of our members, the Artists Council continues to offer members a full schedule of events”, said David Hatcher, Board Chair. “We’re pleased to announce that these offerings include workshops and classes, salons, art book discussions, critique groups and studio tours. Additional member art exhibitions will be organized throughout the year at various venues.” Classes and meetings are held in the Fogelson Room at Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, 72-567 Highway 111, Palm Desert. See the list of activities at artistscouncil.com.
“The newly formed Artists Council is a non-profit organization which offers various sponsorship opportunities to support its events”, Ellen Knable, Development Chair notes. “We invite members and the public to take advantage of our sponsorship opportunities which range from $500, $2,000, $5,000 and above by contacting us at info@artistscouncil.com.”
The Artists Council Board of Directors includes David Hatcher, Board Chair; Mary Ann Sutherland, Secretary; Jim Riche, Treasurer; Ellen Knable, Development Chair; Barbara Gothard, Board Member Emeritus; Tony Radcliffe, Exhibitions Chair; Wallace Colvard, Branding and Design Chair; Carole Hatcher, Events Chair; ULRIKE, Member Programs Chair, and Kim Manfredi, Board Member at large.
For membership or exhibition questions, contact the Artists Council at info@artistscouncil.com or 760-423-5252. For general information about the Artists Council, visit artistscouncil.com. The Artists Council welcomes new members, volunteers and sponsors.
Artists Council’s Fall 2019 Exhibition Honoring Barbara and Jerry Keller, Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert, The Galen: November 7 to November 22
Deadline for Artwork Submission: September 1, you must be an Artists Council member to submit
Public Opening Reception: Thursday, November 7 from 6 to 8 PM at The Galen
