BY Rebecca Pikus
People have always been curious — and fascinated — by seeing first-hand how Artists live and how they create their work — what their homes & studios look like, where they get their ideas & inspiration from — the materials they use, the process, the finished art piece. Tours of Artists homes & studios have existed for many years — throughout Europe and America.
The Rancho Mirage Tour of Artists Homes was created — & proposed to the Rancho Mirage Cultural Commission — this summer by Artistic Advisor to the Cultural Commission, Rebecca Pikus, in collaboration with Angela Valente Romeo and Simeon Den. The initial proposal of this great artistic endeavor was made to Scott Hines, Councilman & former Mayor (who will be having an upcoming Mayoral Campaign). Through his encouragement & enthusiasm for the Arts, Scott arranged for a presentation to be made to the Cultural Commission: Beverlee Greene, Peggy Cravens, Sandra Cooper Woodson, Robert Walker, as well as Randal Bynder, City Manager, & Mayor Richard Kite. From the beginning, the Cultural Commission was very receptive to the idea & concept — and subsequently gave the Green Light for the Event.
The purpose is to promote the Greater Palm Springs area as a Cultural & Artistic destination — and more specifically to spotlight the City of Rancho Mirage as a community which supports, encourages & promotes the Arts, embracing all forms of artistic expression. This annual event will attract locals, visitors, tourists & art collectors – both nationally & internationally. It will also acknowledge and honor the resident Rancho Mirage Artists.
The first annual Rancho Mirage Cultural Festival will be held April 10-13, 2014. The Tour of Artists Homes/Studios will be on Saturday, April 12, 2014. The Kick-Off will start at City Hall at 11:00am, with an Introduction by Scott Hines, the Participating Artists, and a short Video presentation of Documentary Interviews of the Artists by Angela Valente Romeo. Maps/brochures with directions to the Artists’ Homes will be provided. The entire Event is free to the public. From 12:00 Noon – 5:00pm the Artists Homes will be open. The public will have a rare opportunity to have an insider’s tour, engage the artists in conversations and view their homes & studios; Refreshments will be provided by the host Artists.
The participating artists for the tour are:
MARIO PIKUS – Expressionist Painter & Sculptor
MANDY MAIN – Luminous Oil Paintings of the Western Landscape
MIA LUZAJIC – Painter & Printmaker
ELAINE MATHEWS – En Plein Air Painter
SHANNON HOGAN – Impressionist Painter
In addition, these artists will have their Art on display at City Hall:
JOE NOVAK – Painter
KAREN & TONY BARONE – Sculptors, Painters, Lithos
In addition, a delightful display of Art by some unbelievably talented “emerging young artists” – ages 8-10, will be on display in City Hall for the Event. Their works are presented by “Tools for Tomorrow”, a local nonprofit serving hundreds of Coachella Valley school children with free after-school professionally designed art classes. April 12, 2014 will be a very Special Day indeed!
