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Palm Springs is a desert resort city on the western edge of the Coachella Valley in central Riverside County, California. It is about 107 miles east of Los Angeles and occupies a geographical area of 96 square miles. Palm Springs' backdrop is the rugged and scenic backdrop of the 10,831 feet Mount San Jacinto. The art culture here is vibrant, and there are galleries, studios, and beautiful mid-century modern architecture dotting this city. Palm Springs is the choice destination for visitors who appreciate intricate art or those who want to unleash their inner artist.
Tour Palm Springs Public Art Collection
Palm Springs has a considerable and growing public art collection spread around the city that started in 1988. Over 100 commissioned art pieces to decorate hotels, benches, stores, restaurants, and shops here. Some art pieces are dedicated to celebrities, like the 26-foot "Forever Marilyn" statue with the iconic billowing skirt, and it is quite a selfie magnet. Other art pieces include the "Rainmaker Fountain," the first art piece installed at Palm Springs. Some art pieces are inspired by the Palm Springs Festival of Lights and the surrounding desert landscape. Behind the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel are ten crawling "Palm Springs Babies," the most discussed art piece at Palm Springs. The unassuming "Isabelle" a shiny steel sculpture stays seated while gazing at the "Stay Human" mural of angel wings that's another playful selfie magnet. Typically, art tours to see all the aforementioned artworks start at Downtown Palm Springs.
Learn About Palm Springs Architecture
To learn about Palm Springs's mid-century architecture, visit the Architecture and Design Center located in Palm Springs Art Museum. There are exhibitions dedicated to such architectural design as the American Framing and modern designs like the Frey House II. This architectural landmark was home to Albert Frey, a legendary Swiss architect who created over 200 building designs, and lived in Palm Springs since 1934. The Aluminaire House Frey co-designed with A. Lawrence Kocher in 1931 is today considered a masterpiece in modernist design and is at this museum. This three-story house was assembled in 10 days and was America's first all-metal house constructed hence its historical significance. The entry fee to the Architecture and Design Center is $5.
Operating Times
Sunday-10 am-5 pm
Monday-10 am-5 pm
Tuesday-10 am-5 pm
Wednesday-Closed
Thursday-Noon-8 pm
Friday-10 am-5 pm
Saturday-10 am-5 pm
Palm Springs Art Museum also has other exhibitions and also runs learning programs for families and schools.
Stroll The Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden
Visitors can also tour the beautiful four acres of Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden, with 14 outdoor sculptures exhibited and 60 desert plants next to the Palm Springs Art Museum. The sculptures are from renowned artists like Giò Pomodoro, Dave McGary, Felipe Castaneda, Dan Namingha, Yechiel Shemi, and Jesús Bautista Moroles. Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden opens daily from sunrise to sunset.
Experience This Drive Through Art Gallery
Art is in Palm Springs City's DNA, and while driving through, visitors get to enjoy seeing it in various forms. Driving from Los Angeles, the colorful and visually arresting "Woman in Glasses" is splashed on the side of the building on 2481-2483 North Palm Canyon Drive and welcomes visitors to the art land. Up and down North and South Palm Canyon Drives, Indian Canyon Drive at Palm Springs Convention Center, and other spots are over 50 colorful cement benches with decorations like poetry, phrases, abstract art, and animal drawings. "The Art of Taming Horses" by Christopher Myersare consists of six metal sculpture horses that "prance" the median along Tahquitz Canyon Way. "Popsicles" is a painted plywood art piece by John Cerney and has five giant hands holding colorful popsicles on 605 Sunny Dunes Road. At Palm Springs Swim Center, visitors also see the 3-foot steel "TOT" sculpture of a toddler in blue trunks and goggles by Richard Becker.
Explore Palm City's Backstreet Art District
Backstreet Art District has diverse art galleries and working artists' studios plus businesses and serves as a one-stop shop destination for art lovers, buyers, and visitors to Palm Springs, California. There is original art for all tastes and budgets, like paintings, jewelry, antiques, lithography, screen printing, ceramics, custom framing, and photography made by seasoned local and international artists. On the first Wednesday of every month, art lovers interact and watch these artists busy with their intricate craft from 5 pm to 7 pm. For information on events and other activities, the Backstreet Art District management can be contacted at +1 760-328-4144 or on info@backstreetartdistrict.com. Information on events hosted by individual galleries can be sourced by contacting them directly.
Unleash Your Inner Artist
Palm Springs, California, has galleries visitors can unleash their inner artist or watch the masters at work. At the Janssen Artspace, visitors watch the owner Steven Janssen conduct live drawing and painting performances, while at the Desert Art Center, daily fine art classes are taught by the area's award-winning professionals covering the basic to advanced levels. At the Desert Art Center, visitors get to practice what they learn and draw their own pieces.
Other Art Galleries To Visit At Palm Springs
At Palm Springs California, there are several other stand-alone art galleries and studios worth visiting, such as:
- Steward Galleries
- The Shag Store
- Hohmann Art Gallery
- Rubine Red Gallery
- The Pit
- Brian Marki Fine Art & Framing
- Terry Masters Studio