The Coachella Valley’s art scene takes center stage this weekend with the much-anticipated Desert Open Studios, a free, three-day event that invites art enthusiasts to explore the vibrant creative community across the region. Now in its fifth year, this event celebrates more than 150 talented artists while uniting the traditionally divided east and west valley art communities.
A Growing Creative Force
Over the past five years, the local art scene has flourished, attracting collectors and artists from all mediums. “This is one of the biggest art weekends in the desert,” says Mark Pellegrino, owner of the Impell Gallery and an avid collector. “You’ll find amazingly talented artists working in every medium imaginable. The growth of the art world here has been exponential.”
From Desert Hot Springs to Pinyon Pines, visitors can embark on a self-guided tour of artists’ studios, including roughly 60 artists featured at two dozen Palm Springs locations. The weekend promises a behind-the-scenes look at creative workspaces often inaccessible to the public.
A Vision of Connection
The Desert Open Studios initiative was co-founded in 2020 by artists Kim Manfredi, Lynda Keeler, and Anne Bedrick, along with Chris Blades, a former scientist turned art enthusiast. Manfredi envisioned an event that would bridge the geographical divide between the valley’s art hubs, creating opportunities for collaboration and exchange.
“I wanted to create an event that united the two,” Manfredi shares. “There are benefits for both art lovers and artists—people from Palm Springs get exposed to the vibrant art scene in Indio, and vice versa. It expands everyone’s horizons.”
The event fosters connections not only among visitors but also among artists, resulting in friendships, collaborations, and a more cohesive art community. “It elevates the entire valley’s art scene,” Manfredi says. “Curators now have access to a broader pool of artists and themes, making exhibitions more dynamic.”
Artist Thomas Burns says “Open Studios is a wonderful opportunity to see inside working artists Studios throughout the Coachella Valley. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to talk with the individual artist about their process and techniques”
Diverse Artists and Unique Studios
Visitors can customize their tour using the event’s guide, which maps out studios based on artistic genres and locations. For those seeking a concentrated art experience, hubs like Perez Road—home to 30 artists—offer an opportunity to explore multiple studios in one stop. Meanwhile, the event’s hallmark is its invitation into private home studios that are typically closed to the public.
“During Desert Open Studios, approximately 100 artists open their home studios or personal workspaces,” Manfredi explains. “It’s a rare chance to see where the magic happens.”
Featured artists this year include nationally acclaimed painter Carlos Ramirez, whose mixed media works in Indio explore Americana symbolism through a Hispanic lens, and Bernard Hoyes, a Desert Hot Springs sculptor recently commissioned for a large outdoor piece in Palm Springs.
The event also highlights emerging talent, such as Adriana Lopez-Ospina, a fiber and mixed media artist showcasing work alongside a group of local creators at Little Street Music Hall in Indio. “The inclusion of younger voices has been a standout element this year,” Lopez-Ospina says.
Don’t Miss It
Desert Open Studios offers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in the creativity and diversity of the Coachella Valley art scene. Whether you’re an avid collector or simply curious about local talent, this weekend’s event promises to inspire.
Explore, connect, and support the vibrant world of desert art from Friday through Sunday. For more information, including studio locations and the event guide, visit desertopenstudios.com.
