Greater Palm Springs Art Scene Thrives This Season with Modernism Week and Desert X 2017 Events

News provided by

Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau

Feb 16, 2017, 05:00 ET

GREATER PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Historically an epicenter for creativity and the visual arts, Greater Palm Springs is set to become firmly entrenched on the global art scene with the highly-anticipated launches of two major exhibitions, the annual Modernism Week and new Desert X. If you're ready to experience incredible art and architecture that inspire and transform, and want to learn, be entertained and chill out in the process, Greater Palm Springs is most definitely the place to be this winter and spring.

MODERNISM WEEK – FEBRUARY 16-26, 2017
www.modernismweek.com

Now in its 12^th year, the annual 11-day Modernism Week draws more than 70,000 design enthusiasts to our Oasis in celebration of Palm Springs' famed midcentury modern architecture. The extensive line-up of more than 300 events includes lively and entertaining receptions and parties; walking, biking and double-decker bus tours; world-class film screenings and book signings; as well as a number of free programs open to the public. Although many events are now sold out, there are still great activities accessible to fans of this vintage design genre.

Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale - February 17-20
If you can't visit Greater Palm Springs for the entire 11 days, why not come for a long weekend to attend this impressive show at the Palm Springs Convention Center? It features 85 premier national and international dealers showcasing a wide range of decorative and fine art representing all design movements of the 20^th century.

Chino Canyon Project: Desert Palisades Al Beadle Home 1 & O'Donnell Home – multiple tour times
This tour showcases two architectural gems from two esteemed architects in The Chino Canyon Project, a scenic hillside development in Palm Springs.

Charles Phoenix: Fins, Flairs & Futurism – Live Comedy Slide Show Performance – February 18
What do you get when you mix comedy with vintage themes? An insightful and fun-filled experience courtesy of the popular "Ambassador of Americana" Charles Phoenix. After the show, meet Phoenix and enjoy mimosas in the Palm Springs Art Museum Sculpture Garden.

SHAG's New Print Release Party with Martini Kings Playing Live! – February 18
Acclaimed artists SHAG (aka Josh Agle) perfectly captures Palm Springs retro style with his colorful serigraphs that hearken back to the days of midcentury poolside martinis and bikinis. Enjoy a free Print Release Party at his gallery in uptown Palm Springs with live music by The Martini Kings and complimentary cocktails.

Be sure to check out the complete Modernism Week schedule at www.modernismweek.com

DESERT X 2017 – FEBRUARY 25 – APRIL 30
www.desertx.org

Sixteen internationally renowned artists have created contemporary site-specific installations throughout Greater Palm Springs that will be unveiled to the public on February 25. Artists represented in this extraordinary fusion of art and desert landscape curated by Desert X Artistic Director Neville Wakefield include Doug Aitken, Lita Albuquerque, Claudia Comte, Richard Prince, Tavares Strachan, and well-known Coachella Valley based artists Phillip K. Smith III and Armando Lerma of The Date Farmers. Best of all, this spectacular display of art is free and accessible to all via a self-guided driving tour. Maps are available at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs, and various other locations listed on the Desert X website.

Whether you are visiting Greater Palm Springs specifically for Desert X, or coming in town for one of our world-class signature events like La Quinta Arts Festival, BNP Paribas Open, El Paseo Fashion Week, Coachella and Stagecoach, don't miss seeing the Desert X installations. You'll also want to attend some of the cultural activities and parallel events surrounding the star-studded art expo.

Symposium: Desert Constellations – Art and Mythologies – March 11
This one-day symposium at the Annenberg Theater in the Palm Springs Art Museum focuses on the work of participating Desert X artists. It features a number of premier speakers including Desert X curator Neville Wakefield and Leo Marmol, managing principal of the architectural firm Marmol Radziner. Los Angeles-based curator Yael Lipschutz, Desert X board member and Noah Purifoy expert will moderate a panel.

Epicenter Projects: Desert Island – February 25 – April 20
Be sure to take in this exhibition at the Coachella Valley Art Center in Indio, which explores the environment of the Western Desert through the lens of 24 artists showcasing an array of painting, sculpture, video and performance.

First Weekend Palm Desert: Hike and Visit to Claudia Comte Desert X Installation – April 8
Presented by the City of Palm Desert, this free-to-the-public event features a conversation with Desert X artists Claudia Comte at her Curves and Zigzags site. Then strap on your hiking shoes to traverse the Homestead Trail and experience Comte's work from different vantage points.

For the latest information on Desert X, including a full calendar of events, visit www.desertx.org.

About Greater Palm Springs, California

Greater Palm Springs is Southern California's premier resort and golf destination. Discover a place of many experiences and surprises in nine distinctive cities: Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Indio and Coachella. As a respite for mind, body and spirit, Greater Palm Springs is ready to provide you with an unparalleled sense of escape, adventure, recreation, relaxation and your own unique way to play--anytime of the year. For more information on Greater Palm Springs, visit www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com.