Health & Fitness
La Quinta Arts Festival Returns with Success
An overview of the 32nd annual La Quinta Arts Festival.
The 32nd annual La Quinta Arts Festival was a sight to behold from March 6 through 9 as it took place in the scenic La Quinta Civic Center Park. Officially dubbed the “#1 Art & #1 Fine Craft Festival in the Nation,” visitors got to marvel at an array of original pieces—including colorful sculptures, paintings, and hand-crafted jewelry—all created by 234 artists spanning from 36 states.
Some returning artists like Robert Fleming and Lora Lee Rose captivated the attendees with naturalistic landscape-inspired watercolor paintings and intricate feathered headdresses and figurines, respectively. Other notable mentions are Jeffrey Zachmann’s mechanical structures set in motion and Kristen DeSantis’ whimsical contemporary metal sculptures. “Although I start with a sketch, I never follow my lines exactly… [my] creative instincts take over,” states DeSantis on the developmental process of her artwork.
The four-day festival also provided live entertainment for the crowds like Oscar Reynolds, Steve Madaio and Company, and DiosGracias VoceDans Theater. The acts performed a fusion of new age music with jazz influences and rhythmic percussion, creating a sophisticated yet exciting atmosphere. Food and refreshments were made readily available at the festival’s Island Bar, with the unveiled 2014 promotional poster featuring artist Jason Napier’s peacock sculpture, “His Majesty,” on display at Old Town La Quinta’s fine restaurant Lavender Bistro.
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The art festival produced by the La Quinta Arts Foundation succeeded in proving just how culturally-inclined and artistically aware the Gem of the Desert really is, and gave visitors a reason to come back for next year’s festivities.
