Celebrating Art in Palm Desert: The California Desert Plein Air Festival

Each winter, the California Desert Plein Air Festival brings a renewed sense of creativity to Palm Desert and the surrounding area. From Jan. 8-Feb. 1, artists from across the region will once again gather to paint the landscapes and neighborhoods that define the unique character of the area.

The festival is one of Palm Desert's signature events, showcasing why the city is the center of activity for the arts in the Coachella Valley. With live demonstrations, interactive workshops, and gallery exhibitions, the Plein Air Festival invites residents and visitors to experience, explore, and celebrate our city's vibrant arts scene. As a long-standing supporter of public art and cultural programming, Palm Desert is proud to sponsor the festival, helping to foster an environment where artists can thrive and creativity can be shared with the entire community.

The appeal of plein air painting in the Coachella Valley is easy to understand. The surrounding mountains catch the light in a way that changes throughout the day, and local parks and streets provide scenes that feel both familiar and fresh. During the festival, artists set up at locations such as the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains Visitor Center, Ironwood Park, the Chia Drive Overlook, and along El Paseo. These settings offer painters a variety of perspectives, from open-desert views to lively urban corners.

While artists are at work, the public is invited to stop by, observe the process, and ask questions. Many visitors enjoy seeing a painting develop step by step. A sketch becomes a composition, shapes begin to form, and subtle color choices reveal how an artist sees the landscape in front of them. For those new to plein air painting, the experience often deepens their appreciation for the details that define our surroundings, such as late-afternoon shadows on the mountains or the soft winter light that settles across the landscape.

The hub of the festival is the Artists Center at the Galen. Beginning Jan. 15, the gallery will be open Wednesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Here, visitors can view artworks created during the festival alongside additional studio pieces that show the range of each artist's style. The gallery will also offer live demonstrations on Friday-Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. These sessions give audiences an inside look at different techniques, tools, and artistic approaches.

Four workshops begin Jan. 8, covering field sketching, watercolor, oil painting, and pastels. These classes welcome participants of all experience levels. Instructors guide students through methods that can be applied both in the field and in studio work, making each workshop a practical way to develop skills while spending time in the environment that inspires the festival.

The event concludes Feb. 1 with final gallery hours from 10 a.m. to noon. Throughout the festival, original works will be available for purchase, and many visitors appreciate the opportunity to speak with the artists about the stories behind their art before adding the pieces to their collection.

The California Desert Plein Air Festival continues to celebrate the beauty of Palm Desert and the talent of artists who capture it. It highlights the landscapes, neighborhoods, and natural features that make our community unique and it invites everyone to participate in the experience. For information and a full schedule, visit: CaliforniaDesertPleinAir.com.