Make A Splash! 35th La Quinta Arts Festival

Thursday to Sunday, March 2 to 5

Named #1 Fine Art Festival in the Nation by Art Fair Sourcebook (2013, 2014, 2015) and #3 in 2016, the 35th La Quinta Arts Festival returns to the stunning La Quinta Civic Center Campus this Thursday through Sunday, March 2-5 2017. Join us for the ultimate cultural experience with 220 premier artists exhibiting in every media category and price range at a magnificent outdoor gallery.  Gather with family and friends for the opportunity to meet and mingle with the artists, learn about the inspiration for their creations, and how they craft their work.

La Quinta Arts Festival 2017 Featured Artist Heather Ward – With UN World Wildlife Day celebrated around the world on March 3^rd under the theme “Listen to young voices”, it’s a perfect time to learn about talented wildlife artist and first-time exhibitor Heather Ward. Based in Los Alamos New Mexico, Ward aims to portray all animals as worthy of our curiosity and respect–helping local wildlife hospitals and international wildlife conservation efforts.  Working first in pencil, the self-taught artist delved into books on drawing and soon progressed to charcoal, exploring its qualities of darkness and softness. In 2014 Heather discovered scratchboard, a medium in which lines are scratched through a black surface to reveal the layer of bright white clay beneath which makes her realistic images seem vibrantly alive. 

A signature member of the International Society of Scratchboard Artists and a protégé of Media Partner, Southwest Art, Ward has spent a lot of time drawing portrait-style boards of animals and, not only majestic tigers and elephants, but also lesser-known and under-appreciated animals such as vultures and reptiles. Her scratchboard “All About Attitude”, featuring a cool, unruffled green iguana, was chosen as the design image for the 35th Anniversary La Quinta Arts Festival commemorative men’s t-shirt.  See the detailed depth and textures of her art at Booth #126. 

Drawing from the 35^th Anniversary Festival Poster by artists Signe and Genna Grushovenko (South Carolina), the theme is ‘Make A Splash!’ Their painting “Defying Gravity” portrays the pure joy and frivolity of three female friends, hands joined, leaping into water – surely to make some attention getting waves!  Their work derived from vintage photographs celebrates the uplifting spirit of La Quinta Arts Festival’s success and community memories made over the years.

AND MAKE A SPLASH WE WILL, with superb food and drink, a fabulous lineup of live entertainment, and lots of new fun experiences!  Savor cuisine at Restaurant Row from Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Fisherman’s Market & Grill, Shanghai Reds and satisfy your sweet tooth at the Chocolate Bar, tended by the sweet masterminds from Brandini Toffee. Raise a glass with refreshing libations: Stella Artois is the event official beer sponsor, served beside fine wines, beer, coffees, and E & E Pels Italian Ices.  A new partnership with So Delicious Dairy Free will bring samples of coconut and almond based dairy-free delights.

Come for the Art – Stay for the Entertainment!  This year’s lineup includes guitar stylings of Milton Merlos and Scott Carter, plus eclectic mixes by IAMNOTADJ.  Get up and dance at the Amphitheater in the afternoon to enjoy grooves by Horace & the KG’s on Friday, and jazz standards by Mike Costley & Friends on Saturday. Festival favorite Steve Madaio Band will have you swinging and singing on Sunday.

Colorful Surprises throughout the Festival Site: Look for, and vote on Facebook for your favorite Yarn Bomb displays contributed by local community creatives.  Find one of the hidden beach balls throughout the festival and exchange it at the Festival Shop for the 35^th Anniversary Commemorative Festival Poster (value of $35). 

Honoring the legacy of La Quinta Arts Festival’s positive impact in the community is the visual art college scholarship program which has awarded over $1.23 million dollars from festival proceeds.  Look for site installations, exhibits and performances by former scholars Chris Sanchez, ‘Kas Infinite’ just beyond the Island Bar, Marnie Navarro, ‘MLN17’ in the Splash Lounge, smile for photographer Julio Vasquez, and view story boards highlighting many LQAF Hall of Fame Scholars.

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