From must-see art exhibits and hands-on experiences, to signature events like the Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition and Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours, 29 Palms is your destination for art this fall!
The Joshua Tree National Park Art Expo is back for another year! Now in its 9th year, the Art Expo is presented at the historic Oasis of Mara in Twentynine Palms. The annual event presents an impressive juried exhibition of art inspired by the park from November 4th through November 28th. This year, more than 50 artists were selected from all over California and across the globe. They will all have their pieces on display for all to see during the month-long exhibition. Along with the Art Expo, visitors will have the chance to explore more of what the local arts and culture scene has to offer during the first weekend on Saturday, November 6th. From hands-on classes at the 29 Palms Art Gallery to Oasis of Mara walks with Ranger Ian Chadwick, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Celebrating its 20th year, the Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours has become one of the “can’t miss” events of the fall season. The annual multi-disciplinary desert-wide self-guided art tour spans across the 8 desert communities in the Morongo Basin area. With over 165 artists inviting visitors into their studios, this is the perfect opportunity to see how the magic happens. The concept of open studio art tours is to take eventgoers on a journey through the desert environment these artists call home. They have chosen a place like no other to create their own masterpieces. Taking place over three weekends in October, you will have the chance to explore the many studios open during the annual event. Don’t miss out on this incredible event only happening October 9th/10th, 16th/17th, and 23rd/24th.
Each month, the 29 Palms Art Gallery features regional artists as well as a group show from its guild members. From September 30th through October 24th, be sure to check out what this month’s featured artists are presenting in a variety of mediums. Artist Larry Hemmerich’s soft pastels in his show titled “This Way My Friend” capture the desert in exquisite detail showing why he was juried into the Pastel Society of the Southwest as well as the prestigious Pastel Society of America. Abstract expressionist Francesca “Cesca” Spoonhower of Yucca Valley will be showcasing “A Splash of Color” with her paintings. Sculptor Cher Townsend will present her show “What’s The Story?” with her whimsical clay sculptures. As always, the talented 29 Palms Artists’ Guild members will be showing a groups exhibition in the Pickering Room all month long.
One of Twentynine Palms’ newest galleries is having some fun this fall. Art-O-Motive Gallery is celebrating the season with FIVE weekends of Fall Art Days! Located at the corner of National Park Drive and Twentynine Palms Highway, this tire shop turned art gallery is a playground of metalwork and more from renowned local artists. They are inviting everyone to join them for their Fall Art Days this season as they welcome back the cooler weather and spotlight even more artists. From murals to sculptures and everything in between, Art-O-Motive is one of the many art destinations you will want to check out when you visit Twentynine Palms this season. They will be open October 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and November 13th for everyone to visit and explore their one-of-a-kind gallery.
The change in the season means it’s time for a change of scenery at the 29 Palms Visitor Center and Gallery. Presented by the Public Arts Advisory Committee (PAAC), Art in Public Places has a quarterly group exhibition featuring many of the area’s most talented artists. Beginning October 2nd, visitors will be able to view the new show titled “Clouds Rolling In” through January 7th, 2022. This show centers around the fall season in Joshua Tree National Park and the Mojave Desert region. Expressed through painting, photography, mixed media, and 3-dimensional artwork, this is one exhibition you will want to see when you visit Twentynine Palms.
Not only does Twentynine Palms have a great array of art events and new gallery openings happening this fall, but there are some wonderful classes and workshops with local artists happening as well! Gretchen Grunt, owner of the 29 Palms Creative Center and Gallery, is available for all your art class needs. Open by appointment only, the Creative Center is ready to welcome back kids and adults to let their creative geniuses flow. Gretchen has a long list of classes you can book for yourself, family, friends, everyone! From a Sip-N-Spin Pottery Party to a Kid’s Neon Painting Birthday Party, there is something for everyone to enjoy at the 29 Palms Creative Center and Gallery.
Having just celebrated their first anniversary, Perfectly Unique is gearing up for even more paint parties this season! With adult paint nights, kid paint nights, and crochet classes, Emily and her team will be keeping busy with all the fun they have in store. Not only do they have wonderful classes, but when you walk into their store you can see just how artistic they are with their gorgeous woodworking skills. They have everything you can imagine to brighten up your home or office space with their hand-crafted products.
Make Twentynine Palms your art destination this fall! There is so much to see and do when you visit our wonderful city. We cannot wait for you to discover why we love our artistic desert oasis we call home.
Now in its 20th year, the Old Schoolhouse Museum lecture series offers a wide variety of fascinating presentations on the cultural history and natural science of Joshua Tree National Park, the City of 29 Palms, and the Morongo Basin.
Run through a partnership between the Twentynine Palms Historical Society and the Desert Institute, the second Friday lecture series is hosted at the Old Schoolhouse Museum, the oldest public building in the Morongo Basin which provides visitors a chance to experience an original 1920’s era school room, and a great collection of artifacts and exhibits celebrating the history of 29 Palms and the surrounding area.
Lectures start at 7:00pm, and admission is $5 at the door.
Come out for a lecture, and stay the weekend! Choose from hotels, motels, inns, and vacation rentals – all just minutes away from the Old Schoolhouse Museum!
Considered the “Spiritual Woodstock of the Decade,” the City of 29 Palms is thrilled to be welcoming Bhakti Fest to 29 Palms this fall. Taking place September 25 – 30 at Roadrunner Dunes, Bhakti Fest will feature amazing conscious music, yoga, spiritual and wellness workshops and more, attracting spiritual seekers far and wide. New features include a lake for swimming, aquatic, and paddle board yoga, and vast vibrant space for art installations.
Headliners for the event include Krishna Das, Mike Love, Dharma Mittra, Radhanath Swami, MC Yogi, Fannah Fi Allah, Saul David Raye, Sianna Sherman, Mas Vidal, Girish, Govind Das & Radha, Kia Miller, Dawn Cartwright, Ram Das (via video), Porangui, Mark Whitwell, plus many more to be announced in the coming weeks!
The new location in 29 Palms will feature three music stages, expanded yoga and workshop villages, a sound temple for sound baths, a healing sanctuary for bodywork, a mantra dome, Bhakti Kids Land with ongoing children’s programming, men’s and women’s sacred spaces, and a Kirtan school. The Bhakti Fest Eco Artisan Village offers the best in vegetarian and vegan food, yoga clothing and gear, jewelry, art and unique collectibles. The organizers pride themselves on running a green event, offering free water and mindful recycling practices.
Expanded housing options include camping, RV Hook-up sites, on-site cabins, Glamping Yurts, Cozy Trailers, plus a great variety of hotels and vacation home rental homes in 29 Palms.
Early bird festival pricing is available for Bhakti Fest 2019, plus there are discounted tickets available for local residents, veterans, military, seniors, and students. Tickets are available at https://bhaktifest.com/bhakti-fest-tickets/.
50 years ago this summer Woodstock promoters Michael Lang and Artie Kornfeld sought now Bhakti Fest producer Sridhar Silberfein’s advice on the soon to be legendary art and music festival they were producing upstate. Sridhar said to them, “Ya got some of the greatest musical acts in the world but what’s missing is the spiritual component.” With their to-do lists already bursting, they answered, “Ok you deal with that part.”
As can be seen in the documentary film about the event, Woodstock, on August 18, 1969, Sri asked singer/songwriter Richie Havens to introduce Swami Satchidananda. Still reeling from his legendary set, Richie gave him a “that would be a no” look. So, Sri escorted Swami Satchidananda and his entourage onto the Woodstock stage to deliver an invocation. More than half a million American youth were in attendance – the largest peaceful gathering in the West at the time. Swami Satchidananda introduced the power of mantra, inviting the crowd to recite “Hari Om” and “Ramaramarama.” A moment of silence followed. Not even a camera clicked.
While still on stage, Sri whispered to Swami Satchidananda, “Swamiji, wouldn’t it be great to bring this many people together to chant the names of God?” Swami Satchidananda smiled knowingly and said, “Yes, it would be great if you could do that.”
Finally, in 2009, 40 years after receiving his life’s mission, Sridhar founded Bhakti Fest, which has since become Southern California’s largest and most beloved yoga and spiritual music festival. Now after a decade in Joshua Tree, the festival is moving to a new home just up the road in 29 Palms, California!
Discover vibrant art galleries and outdoor murals, fascinating lecture series and cultural programs, plus art and music festivals – all happening this spring in 29 Palms!
Shakti Fest
May 9 – 13, 2019.
Shakti Fest is a 4-day festival hosted in celebration of the devotional paths of yoga, Kirtan (sacred music), and meditation, and places a special emphasis on the Divine Feminine. This bi-annual, drug and alcohol-free festival features an incredible line-up of world renown spiritual teachers, sacred music, premiere yoga classes, and conscious workshops, all set in the beautiful high desert.
Joshua Tree Music Festival
May 16 – 19, 2019.
Experience 4 days and nights of phenomenal live music, inspiring art, yoga, and workshops, in a family-friendly environment that promotes passionate creativity, community empowerment, and arts education for all ages at the bi-annual Joshua Tree Music Festival. This family inclusive global music experience in the magical Mojave desert was founded in 2003 with a mission to foster social interaction on a deep level, creating positive life-changing moments, and takes places every May and October.
Full Moon Cultural Series
Bobby Jo Jackson: The Revival
May 18, 2019.
Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center
New this year, Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center is offering a Full Moon Cultural Series, exploring how diverse cultures understand the significance of the desert, earth, and sky. These special gatherings take place on full moon Saturdays under the bright desert moon. Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center is pleased to present its next Full Moon Cultural program with Bobby Jo Jackson: The Revival, on Saturday, May 18.
Step back in time at the Old Schoolhouse Museum
Explore the rich history of our city at the Old Schoolhouse Museum, hosted by the 29 Palms Historical Society. Tour the museum’s collection and learn about this history of the Serrano and Chemehuevi Native America tribes, the miners, ranchers, and cattlemen, to the pioneering homesteaders who played instrumental roles in developing this community, as well as the establishment of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at 29 Palms.
The Old Schoolhouse Museum also hosts the Second Friday Lecture Series, presented by the Desert Institute through the Joshua Tree National Park Association.
Art Cruise 29!
Explore 5 vibrant art galleries and 5 unique exhibitions showcasing the best from high desert artists, with gallery doors open from mid-morning to after sunset, every 1st Saturday in 29 Palms. From outdoor murals and sculptures, to painting, photography, and mixed media, to opening night receptions, each participating venue offers its own unique experience for art lovers!
Plus don’t miss out on some fantastic art workshops and classes at the
29 Palms Art Gallery:
May 16: Life Drawing
May 17/17: Naked Raku Pottery, Part 1
May 25: Naked Raku Pottery, Part 2
May 30: Life Drawing
Plan your stay in 29 Palms
Choose from the largest variety of lodging options in the area, from national hotels to historic inns and motels, and a great collection of vacation home rentals!
