Before the Coachella Valley History Museum moved their archives into a new building, the basement of the Smiley-Tyler adobe held a tantalizing stash of early desert paintings that had been donated to the museum over its 25 years in existence.…
Category: News
Painting World War II: The California Watercolor Artists
The California Water Color Society was an important presence in American art in the 1930s through 1970s. The painters had been perfecting their abilities to document everyday life when World War II came along. Their medium was portable, cheap and…
Faces of the Frontier in San Diego
A photo exhibit at the San Diego History Center through June 6th explores themes important to the development of art in the Coachella Valley, including the coming of the railroad and the exploits of surveyors who first captured the desert…
Smoketree Painters Included in Grand Canyon Exhibit
The Blue Coyote Gallery (Gary Fillmore’s gallery in Cave Creek, Arizona) and the Grand Canyon Association collaborate to present Canyon Magic, an artistic appreciation of “the world’s best known chasm”, now through June 10, 2010. The show is at the…
Desert Art Center: Clubhouse of the Legends
An institution that nurtured generations of Smoketree painters—the Desert Art Center—celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. This is not some moldy shrine to art history; it’s a working co-op gallery in downtown Palm Springs. Located at 550 North Palm Canyon,…
Gary Fillmore Speaks in Palm Desert
Gary Fillmore, a well-known authority on Arizona and Western art, comes to Palm Desert on Friday, April 23rd to speak on the painters Marjorie Reed, John Hilton and Jimmy Swinnerton. All three once lived and painted in the Coachella Valley.…
Desertscapes, a Celebration of Early Desert Artists in Palm Desert
The City of Palm Desert is joining with organizations Valleywide (including the Palm Springs Art Museum, the Living Desert and Edenhurst Gallery) to present Desertscapes, a monthlong celebration of the early desert artists and contemporary artists who are continuing the tradition.
North Shore Salton Sea Artists Get Exhibit
Ed Ainsworth (see previous post) was the ringleader of a small arts colony on the North Shore of the Salton Sea.
Carl Bray Notecards
The Indian Wells Historic Preservation Foundation is selling note cards featuring Carl Bray paintings of classic desert scenes. The price is $10 for a box of 5 cards.
Desert Art Center Paint-Outs and Classes
The dedicated and talented painter Elaine Mathews leads the Paint-Outs for the Desert Art Center in Palm Springs through May.