A FESTIVAL OF FESTIVALS.
April 4-6 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden
For the 12th year, the Indian Wells Arts Festival . . . where Art is A Happening! — brings a synergy of creativity and color to the beautiful grass concourse of the newly expanded Indian Wells Tennis Garden. This spectacular venue transforms into an artisan village of 200 acclaimed artists featuring painting, drawing, ceramics, glass, photography, sculpture, jewelry, apparel and hand-crafted wares. Buy directly from these talented artisans.
This year The Indian Wells Arts Festival becomes “The Festival of Festivals” incorporating Objet Trouvé Found Art Festival. In the tradition of Pablo Picasso, Marcel Duchamp, Man Ray, Juan Gris and Georges Braque, using every day and “found” materials, artists will exhibit and create one-of-a-kind objet trouvé artworks for sale at this special exhibition area.
Installations and hands-on, found art demonstrations take place during the three day festival. Plus, a replica of Paris’ Eiffel Tower by Indio artist Mary Foote will be completed on site.
Featured Artist
Featured artist is award winning Julie Dunn, this year’s poster artist, whose tempera batik painting on paper landscape titled “Indian Wells,” was created especially for the festival.
“The view looking at the mountain range is visible from the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, as well as the rocks, desert vegetation, and beautiful flowering cactus on Miles Ave,” said Dunn. “I wanted the image to reflect the beauty of the natural desert alongside the man-made enhancements, that is, settled areas with colorful landscaping.”
Special Installations and Demonstrations
Continuing the synergy of excitement will be “Primal Space,” an installation of primal wood figures by La Quinta artist Eric Samuelson. His collage on board work is an intuitive look at primal cultures from the Aborigines, Aztecs, Incas, Africa, Native Americans, and others.
“Underlying the work is a sense of oneness; one people, one planet,” said Samuelson. “It is the soul or spirit of humanity.” For Samuelson, each image “emotes a moment or situation.”
“The Art of Hand-weaving with Natural Dyes” will be demonstrated by Zapotec native, Antonio Mendoza, who began weaving at age seven under his father and grandmother’s tutelage.
Many who travel over Highway 79 towards Temecula notice metal stallions leaping over the highway. This year “Leaping Metal Sculpture” by this Temecula artist, Riccardo Breceda, adds to the fun and excitement at the Festival
All-time favorite Bruce Freund fires up the furnace for his amazing glass blowing demonstrations. Watch sea sand sculptor Jeff Sherman create a life-sized mermaid.
Interactive Exhibits
Alabaster stone sculptors Merrill and Marla Orr will demonstrate carving techniques and allow guests to participate at their “When in Rome” exhibit.
Try your hand at throwing a clay pot at Old Town Artisan Studio’s booth. Have your photo taken at the Green Screen Set which puts you in the “Indian Wells” poster. This project is sponsored by Hot Purple Energy and Palm Springs Life with support from the Cathedral City High School Digital Arts Academy.
The Ophelia Project & Silent Auction
The Ophelia Project, a program of Healthy Family Foundation, engages teen girls in an art project that is exhibited at the Indian Wells Arts Festival. The one-of-a-kind fused glass pendants art project is under the direction of Gideon Cohn of I.M.A.G.E.S. Gallery. The festival’s 200 artists will contribute artwork to a silent auction that benefits the Ophelia Project at the booth.
Live Entertainment
Three days of great music and dance takes place on the Main Stage under the shade structure.
Incendio, a group of Latin guitar and instrumental world music, has been performing at the Indian Wells Arts Festival since its inception. An exotic melody of a desert caravan; the sound of waves against a south African beach, a lone flamenco guitar are the evocative sounds of Incendio. Each day, Incendio’s quartet or duo — guitarists Jean Pierre Durand and Jim Stubblefield, bass guitarist Liza Carbé and percussionist Nicole Falzone — perform at various times starting at 10 a.m.
On Friday, an explosive mix of jazz, rock, classical, jam band, Afro Cuban and world rhythms, the Lao Tizer trio, throws down a high powered collection original music on keyboard, bass and drums. (12:30 – 1:30 p.m. & 3:15 to 4:30 p.m.)
Performing for the first time at the festival Saturday and Sunday, Bumproller Organ Trio offers up a cool mix of jazz, soul, blues and funk with Ty Bailie on the Hammond B-3 organ, guitarist/composer James Achor, and drummer Kevin Stevens. (Saturday 11:15 a.m. – 12:15p.m. & 1: 45 – 3 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to noon; 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.)
Aztec Dancers from the International Dance Club at Desert Mirage High School in Thermal, brings to life this ancient culture’s music and dance, performing Friday at noon.
Children’s Activities
Kids of all ages are invited to experience the creative process in the Kids Creative Zone. S.C.R.A.P. Gallery brings a bag of tricks for children’s activities and presents the special exhibit “Recycle Bicycles” showing off the creative whimsy of embellished bikes.
The Children’s area comes alive with painting, chalk drawing and other creative projects. The S.C.R.A.P. Gallery, the Palm Springs Unified School District Art Program, Old Town Artisan Studio, and Stella’s Ridenour’s Crafts offer fun activities for everyone.
Food and Drink
Daily concessions offer a wide variety of food and drinks including on Sunday “Eggs + Champagne in the Garden” brunch available till noon.
Gourmet Marketplace
Visit the delicious Gourmet Marketplace for take-home edible treasures such as olive oils and balsamic vinegars by Bistro Blends, spices and creative spice racks at Spice Expressions, and ceramic garlic graters and mills by Go Vertical. Find hand-crafted body soaps, lotions, oils, creams and skin care from Tres Spa and Botanicals by the Sea.
More About The Festival
The Indian Wells Arts Festival is produced by Dianne Funk Enterprises and has been rated one of the 100 Best Fine Art Shows in the country by Sunshine Artist Magazine, and 2014 Top 100 Event by the American Bus Association.
The Festival takes place Friday through Sunday, April 4 – 6, 2014 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (Gates close at 4:00). Adults $12; Children Free. Parking is free and Valet is available.
For commemorative poster orders and further information visit: http://indianwellsartsfestival.com; https://www.facebook.com/indianwellsartsfestival/info; or call 760-346-0042.
