The Indio Southwest Arts Festival

While we were staying with Adele in Palm Springs this past January I saw on the TV an ad for an Arts Festival there in Indio. I love these things. It is a chance to get out and see what other people are doing to make art and frequently you find some really excellent art to look at.  So I told the girls I was going to go and have a look. They thought it was a good idea so the three of us set out.

The Festival was being held on the Empire Polo Grounds in Indo so it was a very short drive for us. We found there was ample parking and it was very well managed. In no time we were parked and out of the car walking into the show.

 

This was a big show. It was set on a large grass field and there were row upon row of boths where arts in all disciplines were showing their work. The quality was extrordinary and I saw many things I would like to have had if we only had room (and money, of course!).

The field was rectangular with the booths laid out in a grid pattern with several aisles to wander in. The art ranged from sculpture to glass work to pottery to painting to photography. The quality of the works was exceptional. These were serious professional artists.

I love to see what people are doing and I am constantly amazed by the creativity on display. And looking at all of this goodness I not only get immense pleasure but I also get ideas for my own work. Creativity creates creativity, if you get my meaning.

Access to the art works was super easy. The booths were open and you could wander in and walk right up to anything you were interested in. The bonus was that the artists were there to engage with which led to wonderful conversations. I think I frustrated Susan and Adele because I was spending so much time talkng.

There were many painters displaying their work. It ranged from modern to traditional in style and there was not one artist there who was not producing amazing work. There were many works I would love to have on my walls at home. If I had space on those walls that is!

Some of the modern work was not to my taste but I have to admit that I found the shapes and colors of those works to be attractive. In the right home with the right decore I could see these modern works fitting right in.  Maybe I am not the art barbarian that I assumed I was?

The glass work was amazing. I do not know how they achieve this beautiful work but in the sunlight it was luminous. With this glass work I was blown away! Blown away! Get it?

Another art form that is amazing is sculpture captured in bronze. This lady is captured in cast metal and she is life size and looks real.

Susan and Adele are standing in front of a display of photography at one of the booths at the Festival.

The photography on display was lovely and I really enjoyed talking to several of the photographers. One that really stood out for me was Rob Scheid who made his prints on a traditional hand made paper that he imported from Nepal. The results were unique and very special. Have a look at his web site to see more of his work.

Finally, there was pottery. This was not the pottery we are used to at our local little pot sales. These were examples of true art. The shapes, the finish, the feel of these works was incredible. Only a lifetime of passion can do this with clay.

One chap I spoke to at length was Jeffrey Siegel whose work was delicate and incredibly beautiful. To me art must be an object that brings pleasure through the touching of it. It must have texture and feel as well as beauty of form. This artist just nails it! Check out his website to see more  examples of his work.

All of the art on display was for sale. Some of the prices were surprising to me because I don’t buy art and I have never sold my pictures. However, these people have to earn a living from their art so they can spend their waking hours creating all of this wonderful stuff.

How the selling actually works because I saw no one getting their wallet out. And since I was not there to buy anything I did not ask. Maybe I should have. Their art is available on their websites.

And that was my day at the Southwest Arts Festival in Indio california. I stopped at every booth, talked to dozens of artists, went back to spend more time at several, and totally frustrated my travelling companions who were tired and wanted to go home.

The Festival has a website which has a calendar of events and I can’t recommend them enough. They put on a great show!

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