By Crystal Harrell
The freedom to creatively express inner thoughts and dreams is an appealing factor in the act of pursuing art. Old Town Artisan Studios in La Quinta perfectly encapsulates that message and encourages community involvement with its various programming they organize throughout the year.
This season, Old Town Artisan Studios is looking for participants for the Miniature Masterpiece art show and fundraiser. This event celebrates local, regional, and statewide artists who generously donate original artwork in support of Old Town Artisan Studios. This year, Miniature Masterpiece is presented in the Leland Gallery at Old Town Artisan Studios from November 17 to December 17, 2022. A variety of paintings, photographs, prints, sculptures, and mixed media works will be on display and up for raffle. The public is invited to the opening reception on November 17th from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
“Creating art is therapy, self-discovery, and offers so much to a person’s overall well-being. Practicing art is very important in helping process our emotions and expressing our ideas. Art is not solely about making something appealing… it is transformative to the artist and can even inspire those that view it,” stated Business Development and Volunteer Coordinator of Old Town Artisan Studios, Ivanna Diaz Hansen.
Visitors also have the opportunity to win their favorite Miniature Masterpiece by purchasing raffle tickets in person or online—priced at five dollars each and thirty dollars for seven / 75 dollars for 21. Raffle ticket sales will close on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 5 p.m. Winners will be notified on Tuesday, December 20, 2022.
Another artist call is for the 2023 Eggstravaganza, where hundreds of ceramic eggs are transformed into works of art and then auctioned off to raise funds for the Outreach Program of Old Town Artisan Studios. The collection features artists from the local community, as well as artists from across the nation. The show is presented both online and in person, in the Leland Gallery on the Old Town Artisan Studios campus.
Hundreds of talented artists partner with the studio to help spread art enrichment throughout the Coachella Valley. One hundred percent of the proceeds are used to fund the extensive outreach art programs. By participating in the auction, public donations go directly to serving afterschool programs, special needs classes, activities for people with disabilities, and more. Within the last two years, Old Town Artisan Studios has been able to provide over 50,000 art experiences to the local community.
“Bids can be made towards any of the eggs and the event allows us to display a special collection made by some of our students in the outreach program. It is quite inspiring to have so many artists come together to help benefit our outreach arts program. People find it enlightening to know that when they participate in our fundraiser, they are helping to give back to the community. Many artists and visitors alike are quite excited to participate and see the works each year!” shared Hansen.
For more information on these upcoming events, visit the official Old Town Artisan Studios website at www.oldtownartisanstudios.org.
