2022 WEED SHOW THEME: A WONDERFUL WEEKEND IN “29”
Just What Is The Weed Show?
The Weed Show is one of Twentynine Palms’ oldest and most unique artistic traditions. This annual display, now in its seventh decade, features artistic arrangements of indigenous desert vegetation as well as found objects, both natural and man-made – a desert rendition of the traditional concept of floral display. Each show follows a specific theme. Entries are judged on the subject matter, use of desert vegetation, accessories, artistic composition, and originality. Awards are granted in nine categories, with a “people’s Choice” award to be decided by visitors to the exhibition.
The show’s roots go back to July 1940, when the Women’s Club of Twentynine Palms invited Pasadena printmaker Mildred Bryant Brooks to deliver a lecture on “The Art of Etching.” Legend has it that the local ladies, ever mindful of etiquette, were deeply embarrassed by the lack of fresh flowers to decorate the podium and honor their esteemed guests. The ladies of the club expressed their apologies to Brooks, who is then reputed to have said, “Why do you need fresh flowers when you have so many beautiful weeds?” The ladies then dispatched two of their members to gather sun-dried desert flora from the grounds of the Twentynine Palms Inn, which they brought back for Brooks to arrange.
The Weed Show made its official debut the following year, in 1941. Initially held in private homes, its popularity soon grew to the point where it became a bona fide community event. After the Women’s Club disbanded in 1976, sponsorship of the show passed to the Twentynine Palms Gardening Club. Then when the Gardening Club disbanded, the Historical Society revived the show, which has been going strong ever since.
It is one of Twentynine Palms’ most characteristic events. The Weed Show highlights the beauty of the local flora, the skill of our town’s artisans, and the history and culture of Twentynine Palms itself.
For more information on The Weed Show, visit the Twentynine Palms Historical Society’s website.
29 Palms Artists’ Guild Members Summer Show
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 2 | 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The 29 Palms Artists’ Guild member artists will present a group exhibition in the Pickering Room to represent 29 Palms Artists’ Guild members going back to founders John Hilton and Kirk Martin through to today’s inspiring artists.
The Guild members are the lifeblood of the 29 Palms Art Gallery. This all-volunteer, non-profit 501(c)3 Guild was started by eight artists in 1951-52. The Artists’ Guild opened the permanent gallery space in 1963, and it continues to be operated and supported by Guild members today. Its mission is to present high-quality art, encourage creative growth through innovative educational programs, and offer an inclusive environment for artists and community members to meet, exchange ideas, and create art. The diversity of this exhibition reflects an ever-changing artistic community as well as the Gallery’s roots and traditions.
The Artists’ Guild Members Summer Show will run from July 1 through August 21, with an Opening Reception on Saturday, July 2, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The 29 Palms Art Gallery will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Friday through Sunday. For more information on this year’s summer show, visit 29palmsartgallery.com.
Perfectly Unique‘s July Adult Paint Night is a mason jar scene with a patriotic color scheme! Their artist will teach you different techniques to create your own masterpiece on an 11×14 canvas. As always, you are more than welcome to bring your own beverages and snack, but they will have some beverages available at the store. For more information or to reserve your spot, visit their website.
Sand in My Shoe: Summer in the Mojave is the theme for the summer Art in Public Places exhibition at Twentynine Palms Visitor Center and Gallery, which will be on display from June 4 through July 29, 2022.
The artwork of this show reflects the theme of summer in our Mojave Desert and is expressed in painting, photography, mixed media, and 3-Dimensional work. The theme honors the late Helen Bagley’s book, Sand in My Shoe. The book chronicles the family’s homesteading days in Twentynine Palms starting in 1927, their challenges in creating a home, businesses, and community in the hot, dry, and sandy desert, and how they learned to adapt to and love life in the Mojave.
The opening day for the show is Saturday, June 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Twentynine Palms Visitor Center and Gallery.
In addition to the exhibition, Art in Public Places is spotlighting historical Mural #10, featuring homesteaders Frank and Helen Bagley and The Bagley Store, now the site of the Historic Plaza in Twentynine Palms.
Mural #10 – Frank & Helen Bagley and the Bagley Store
Art in Public Places exhibitions are presented by the Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC) of the City of Twentynine Palms. The Twentynine Palms Visitor Center and Gallery is located at 73484 Twentynine Palms Highway at the corner of Desert Queen Avenue in downtown Twentynine Palms. Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
29 PALMS ART GALLERY JUNE EXHIBITION
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 4 | 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Featuring Dean Mayo, Naomi Brown, and Artists’ Guild Members
A National Park in My Backyard by Dean Mayo
As he began his career as a photographer, Dean combined his two passions: golf and photography. By blending his passions, Dean started Foretography, specializing in golf course photography. It was a very natural transition for him since his early career as a PGA Golf Professional trained his eye to observe students’ swings to help them improve and visualize the shots he wanted to hit on the courses he played.
As his love for photography grew, Dean ventured to capture the fantastic landscapes in his immediate area and discovered and fell in love with Joshua Tree National Park. Today, Dean would guess that landscape photography accounts for 90% of the images he takes.
Desert Skies by Naomi Brown
Naomi’s influence on her art started when she was young, growing up in Twentynine Palms, CA, next to Joshua Tree National Park. The simple beauty and amazing colors inspired her to be an artist. She is very passionate about her Southwest surroundings and the underlying western lifestyle she now enjoys living in Queen Creek, AZ. She tries to portray this through each piece of her work. Naomi wants to engage and inspire the viewer and let them feel as though they have walked right into one of her paintings and be in the moment.
The 29 Palms Art Gallery is open Thursday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information about the June Exhibition, visit the 29 Palms Art Gallery’s website.
10TH ANNUAL JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK ART EXPO
Juried Show | November 3 – 27, 2022 / Art Expo Weekend | November 5 & 6
WHERE: 29 Palms Art Gallery, 74055 Cottonwood Drive
HOURS: Gallery Hours | Thursday thru Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Art Expo Weekend | Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Art Market at the Gallery | 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Awards Reception | Saturday, November 5 | 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Wine/Beer Bar opens at 4:00 p.m.
The Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo at the historic Oasis of Mara in Twentynine Palms, CA, presents a juried exhibition of art inspired by the park, plus an art exhibition catalog, artist awards, art activities, and more. JTNP Art Expo weekend events at the historic 29 Palms Art Gallery include hands-on art demonstrations for youth and adults, gallery tours, an Art Market with artist booths at the historic 29 Palms Art Gallery, food and beverages, music and more. Also, that weekend is the annual “Weed Show” at the Old Schoolhouse Museum, located just down the street from the gallery.
In recognition of a long-standing tradition between artists and the national parks and specifically Joshua Tree’s impact on artists and visitors from around the globe, the Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts created an annual Art Exposition in 2013 — a juried art exhibition and celebration featuring art inspired by or depicting the unique natural beauty or cultural history of Joshua Tree National Park.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
To learn more about the JTNP Art Expo, visit jtnparts.org.
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