La Quinta Arts Festival Celebrates 35th Anniversary – March 2-5, 2017

The 35^th Anniversary of the award-winning La Quinta Arts Festival kicks off at the stunning La Quinta Civic Center Campus, Thursday through Sunday, March 2-5, 2017, 10am to 5pm each day.   

You will be treated to the ultimate fine art and culture experience with 220 top artists arriving from 40 US States, Argentina, Canada, Czech Republic and Nicaragua to display their amazing original art on lush grass, surrounded by sparkling lakes with a majestic backdrop of the Santa Rosa Mountains.  

Featured Artists – Signe & Genna Grushovenko!  Partners in both life and art, Signe & Genna have been collaborating for nearly ten years. Based in Greenville South Carolina, they travel around the country, attending fine art festivals and working with galleries.  They enjoy receiving feedback from viewers and discussing their work.  In fact, they believe they have learned as much about their work from others as they have from actually participating in making it.

Genna begins their creative process by applying rich layers of pattern and tone to gessoed masonite or linen supports.  Next, Signe selects an inspiration image from their extensive collection of collected vintage photos, mostly dated from the 50s, 60s and 70s.  Signe then draws with oil pastel atop the abstract underlay using the photo for reference, and completes the image with block ‘panes’ of oil color. The featured painting, “Defying Gravity” spurred the anniversary theme of “Make a Splash” with its cool, reminiscent vibe.  Visit their booth #434 and discover your connection to the by-gone moments captured on canvas.

It’s Music To Your Ears!  Art gazing will be complemented by fabulous live entertainment; Flamenco Guitar from Milton Merlos Jr., acoustic guitar and vocals by the divine Scott Carter, followed by headliners in the Amphitheater. Horace & the KG’s get in the groove on Friday and lively Mike Costley & Friends will croon jazz standards on Saturday.  The Steve Madaio Band will close out the show on Sunday, featuring the famous jazz trumpeter who’s played with music legends like Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and the Rolling Stones. IAMNOTADJ will spin eclectic mixes of dance, abstract down tempo, and even old classics in the Splash Lounge.

Yummy For Your Tummy!  Art may feed the soul, but it takes great food and drink to satisfy the appetite. To this end, La Quinta Arts Festival has partnered with some of the top eateries to offer a primo casual dining experience. Restaurant Row will feature Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Fisherman’s Market & Grill and Shanghai Reds. Relax in the Splash Lounge and try some So Delicious Dairy Free yogurt treats.  Lighter fare will be available at Island Bar and Meadow Bar, along with well-known vendors E & E Pel’s Italian Ices and Brandini Toffee’s decadent sweets. Stella Artois, the official beer of La Quinta Arts Festival, available at all bar locations on site, will be served beside fine wines, specialty coffees and other refreshing libations.  A new partnership with So Delicious Dairy Free will bring opportunities to sample coconut and almond based dairy alternative, health forward treats! La Quinta High School Culinary Institute is creating a special cake to commemorate the 35^th anniversary.

Tons of Fun!  New this year – fun and unique experiences (community Yarn Bomb contest) and art installations in the Splash Lounge and throughout the event, presented by La Quinta Arts Foundation’s visual and performing art scholars. La Quinta Arts Foundation has awarded $1.23 million in college scholarships to 376 emerging art professionals from La Quinta Arts Festival proceeds.

Just For You!  Celebrate this momentous occasion with us – and take home that unique piece of display or wearable art created just for you!  The memories will last a lifetime!

The 35th Annual La Quinta Arts Festival is March 2-5, 2017, 10am to 5pm, at La Quinta Civic Center Campus, 78495 Calle Tampico. Tickets: $17 Single Day, $22 Multi-Day, Children 12 and under are free.  Avoid the lines, buy tickets in advance at WWW.LQAF.COM.  Free parking is available in the Village of La Quinta, along with paid valet and self parking options.

La Quinta Arts Festival is presented by La Quinta Arts Foundation in partnership with Premier Sponsor the City of La Quinta and Corporate Sponsor Rabobank.