The 34th Annual La Quinta Arts Festival, ranked #1 Fine Art Festival the Nation for three consecutive years (2013, 2014, 2015) by Art Fair Sourcebook, is scheduled Thursday through Sunday, March 3-6, 2016 from 10 am to 5 pm at La Quinta Civic Center Campus, 78495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA.
La Quinta Arts Festival, produced by nonprofit La Quinta Arts Foundation, will present 220 accomplished contemporary artists arriving from 35 states, Canada, and Argentina in media categories including Ceramics, Drawing & Pastel, Fiber/Textile, Glass, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Wood.
The 2016 Featured Artist is Trés Taylor. A contemporary mixed media painter living in Birmingham, AL, Taylor’s original painting entitled “Citrus Monk” was commissioned as the image for the La Quinta Arts Festival 2016 commemorative poster.
Taylor’s medium is usually tarpaper, which enables him to draw freely, carving in a strong black line. Frequently he uses layers of mud, sometimes Alabama red clay, that give his paintings a rich and yet raw texture. Taylor paints about spiritual seeking. He paints about love, Divine Love, peace, and joy. His subjects are usually monks, couples, and houses — but always the subjects are symbols of love.
Trés has exhibited nationally and internationally. His work can be found in several significant collections including Dupont Pioneer of Des Moines, IA; the Hurn Museum of Contemporary Folk Art of Savannah, GA; and is publicly displayed at Children’s of Alabama, a hospital in Birmingham.
In October 2014, Trés Taylor created a work to celebrate the visit of the Dalai Lama in Birmingham. For this historic occasion, Taylor created a large sculpture aptly named “The Jolly Lama,” an impressive 15-foot tall monk, which served as a greeter for His Holiness.
The Art of Entertainment: To complement the incredible collections of artwork on display, La Quinta Arts Festival will present a variety of musical and performance entertainers that will delight the crowds. Surprising new attractions include Lana Chromium, a fine art body painter — winner of GSNTV’s “Skin 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 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.
Fabulous Festival Fare: 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.
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 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.
About La Quinta Arts Festival: La Quinta Arts Festival was ranked the #1 Fine Art Festival in the Nation by Greg Lawler’s Art Fair SourceBook in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Presented by La Quinta Arts Foundation, La Quinta Arts Festival is one of the oldest and most esteemed art shows in the country, consistently ranked among the top art fairs held in the United States. Now in its 34th year, the four-day festival will feature the original works of over 220 artists, musical and stage performances, as well as delicious local food and drink. La Quinta Arts Festival is held in the unmatched outdoor lawn setting in La Quinta’s Civic Park.
About La Quinta: In addition to the annual Festival every March, visitors and residents alike are drawn to the iconic La Quinta Resort Hotel for respite and desert hospitality. Old Town La Quinta with an array of boutique shops and restaurants, golf at SilverRock Resort and the unparalleled natural scenic mountains and trails extend the La Quinta experience. There’s something for everyone in La Quinta, the Gem of the Desert, located a short drive east of legendary Palm Springs, CA.
About Art Fair SourceBook: Now in its 22nd year of publication, Art Fair SourceBook™ is the bible of the industry. Art Fair SourceBook exists to create an independent one-stop resource for artists and artisans that enables them to more confidently, efficiently, and effectively select the events most likely to optimize their profits. The SourceBook is the most comprehensive guide to the top-selling art fairs and craft shows.
About La Quinta Arts Foundation (LQAF): LQAF is a non-profit organization incorporated in 1982 whose mission is “Promoting and Cultivating the Arts.” This is accomplished by producing nationally acclaimed visual and performing art events, forming meaningful partnerships within the community, and providing cultural, education and personal growth outreach programs to all citizens of the Coachella Valley and beyond. Visit us at www.LQAF.com for more information.
