Indian Wells Arts Festival

The 10th Annual Indian Wells Arts Festival will take place this April 6, 7, 8, 2012 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden located at 78-200 Miles Avenue. Each day the festival will open at 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with gates closing at 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

“This is the valley’s biggest annual festival that draws in over 200 highly acclaimed judged and juried artists from all over the world,” explains festival producer Dianne Funk. “But it’s not only a place to browse and buy art. We are known as a unique festival because we also provide entertainment for our guests through a bevy of interactive art and enrichment activities, where the public can participate and watch live on-site creations with a variety of artists.”

This includes a selection of special exhibitions from a variety of local artists and organizations including:

A special art collaboration project called “Remember the Past – It’s Key to the Future” created by the girls in the mentoring program Ophelia Project

“Glass is Haute” – on site glass blowing demonstrations by glass artist Bruce Freund

Live creation of a sand mermaid sculpture in the “Sea to Sand” installation

“Rock Star” David Falossi’s creation of an on-site stone sculpture over the course of the festival

Artist Ryan Campbell’s on site creation of the mural “Living Room Landscape”

Palm Springs Unified School District’s “Color Me Critters” project that invites the public to help paint a large-scale banner

Spray paint artist Aaron Hansen’s large-scale production of the mural “Spirit of the Age”

S.C.R.A.P. Gallery’s “Wireless Cells” recycle project where kids can create original mobile devices without cell towers and the returning “Recycle Bicycle” exhibit

A roving on site photography project by the students of the Cathedral City High School’s Digital Arts Academy

At the festival, ranked one of the “100 Best Fine Art Shows in the country” by Sunshine Artist Magazine and “Best of the Best” by Palm Springs Like Magazine, visitors can meet the artists, watch them create their work, and purchase items that range from traditional paintings and sculpture to handcrafted jewelry, ceramic, glass and more.

Back by popular demand, the “Sunday Eggs + Champagne in the Garden” brunch menu alfresco is offered till noon, complemented by live entertainment.

Food, spirits and live performance will accentuate the entire experience with musical acts such as INCENDIO (Latin Guitar World Fusion), the Lao Tizer Jazz group, Jerome Elliot Cabaret, OperaArts singers, Aztec Dancers, Folklorico/Mariachi bands and more.

Featured artist Mario Cespedes of Brazil created the image for this year’s 10th Anniversary commemorative print. His inspirational painting “Viaje Mistico” (Mystical Journey) captures the energy of renewal and transformation. Signed commemorative prints will be available at the Festival or can be purchased online at www.indianwellsartsfestival.com.

Other offerings include a Children’s Creative Zone, sidewalk chalk drawing, and a gourmet marketplace featuring handmade soaps, lotions, confections, and gourmet culinary items.

Community partners who help staff the festival with volunteers and other special projects include Marks Art Center, Old Town Artisan Studio, Healthy Family Foundation, Palm Springs Unified School District and Washington Charter School.

Tickets for the festival are $12 for adults with children under 12 admitted for free. Parking is free and valet is available. For advance tickets, poster orders or further information, visit online at www.indianwellsartsfestival.com or by calling 760-346-0042.