Indian Wells Arts Festival "High Desert and Mountain Artists..."

Top artists have been selected to be featured among the 200 juried artisans from across the nation who will be showcased and judged at the 13th Annual Indian Wells Arts Festival, April 3 – 5. Always a leader in the art scene, the High Desert and Mountain areas will be represented by prominent painters; sculptors of stone, clay and glass; textile and fiber designers; as well as jewelry, digital art and mixed-media artists. Four of the notable area artists include celebrated wood sculptor, Mark Doolittle of Joshua Tree; Moreno Valley assembled jewelry designer, Erica Morris; eminent sculptor, David Falossi of Yucca Valley; and world-renown potter, David Salk of Idyllwild. The artists will transform the grounds of the world-renowned Indian Wells Tennis Garden (home of the BNP Paribas Tennis Tournament) into an oasis of art with their collections exhibited for a distinguished panel of judges, and will have the opportunity to demonstrate and sell their work directly to the expected 12,000 art enthusiasts in attendance from all corners of the country. The 2014 Indian Wells Arts Festival generated nearly $1 million in sales for participating artists. Joshua Tree artist Mark Doolittle’s wood sculptures are marvelously dramatic, hand-tooled works of art. Each piece is crafted with rasps, chisels, and rotary burrs, creating intricate designs that mimic the composition found in life’s basic building blocks. “In my artwork, I try to express the dynamic form of growth and symmetry encountered in cells and tissues, as well as in whole organisms throughout the natural world,” says Doolittle, who in addition to being an award-winning artist also holds a doctorate in biology. Doolittle often uses gourds to try out new and different styles of carving, including adding color enhancements, and like his wood pieces, accentuates with fossils or polished stone cabochons as central elements. “New for me this year will be turned and carved wood vessels and sculptures featuring my distinctive organic flair,” announced Doolittle, adding that the Festival was one of his perennial Coachella Valley favorites. Highly acclaimed sculptor David Falossi of Yucca Valley says he is drawn to stone as his medium for its link to the earth and richness in variety. Falossi considers stone-carving to be the most difficult of all artistic mediums as it requires the sculptor to commit to a long and difficult process in the pursuit of chiseling an expression of art, making his on-site sculpture demonstrations over the three-day event, from a solid block of stone, incredibly impressive. “For me,” asserts Falossi, “the process is similar to the journey of life. Glass in my sculpture represents the human spirit, life, and the miraculous,” and furthers, “When I combine these materials, I am symbolically creating the equation that makes all life possible.” Talent runs deep in the Falossi family of artists with wife Elena managing art affairs; eldest son David, Jr., an aspiring film director; and teenaged son Christopher, already an award-winning sculptor in his own right, who joins his renowned father in demonstration at the Festival. This year marks Moreno Valley’s Erica Morris’ third year as an exhibiting artist at the Festival. Having been honored with second place ribbons in both the 2014 and 2013 festivals, she is sure to garner ample attention for her handcrafted assembled jewelry. “All of my pieces are handmade of fine gems and pearls, with custom silver pieces and clasps,” says the creative artist. Morris travels throughout the Southwest, attending gem shows to find the best stones for her designs, taking great consideration of the polish and thickness of each so that the finished piece lay comfortably and luxuriously against the bearer’s skin. Morris’ wearable art has been featured in national publications such as Bead & Button Magazine, including on the cover of Bead Style Magazine. Over the years, Idyllwild’s David Salk has created a unique style of highly-collected clay basketry and functional pottery in tribute to the art of Native American basket-weaving. The respected artist, who studied and worked alongside famed San Ildefonso potter Maria Martinez, is resolved to preserve the beautiful art forms of Native American peoples for present and future generations by replicating antique basket designs in long-lasting, high-fire pottery. “Every time I make a basket it becomes a little like a fossil,” says Salk. “My hope is that someone in the future will find these pieces and will appreciate these magnificent designs then, as much as I do now.” With Salk’s ceramics as featured pieces in collections all over the United States and more than thirty-six countries throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa, there is no doubt of the impact his own art in homage will have towards the legacy of Native American artistry. “We are extremely pleased to include this distinct group of High Desert and Mountain area artists in the Festival this year,” said event producer, Dianne Funk, of Dianne Funk Productions. “Not only is their art extraordinary, they are a great representation of the quality and variety of fine artists and craftsmen from these communities.” Just a short drive down to the desert floor crowned by the Santa Rosa Mountains, the Indian Wells Arts Festival has become a destination event with festival-goers making it a day-trip and weekend-trekker’s art adventure. Adding to the uniqueness of the event is the festival within the festival, the second annual Objet Trouvé Found Art Festival, exhibiting a collection of dramatic art pieces made from every-day found objects, including a 20-foot high replica of Paris’ Eiffel Tower. All types of enthusiasts are engaged at the festival with live entertainment from bands such as the Independent Music Awards’ nominee, Incendio – World Guitar; the Rumproller Organ Trio; contemporary jazz keyboardist, Lao Tizer; and vocalist, Dawn Bishop. There will be hands-on demonstrations from rock sculpting, glass-blowing, pottery and weaving, as well as painting; children’s activities; and, an assortment of wine, cocktail and food offerings, including a Sunday “Eggs + Champagne in The Garden” brunch menu till noon, all presented within an atmosphere of creativity and color. The 13th annual Indian Wells Arts Festival, held on the Tennis Garden’s East Plaza Grass Concourse (Enter from Washington Street at Via Sevilla between Highway 111 and Fred Waring Drive, Indian Wells, California), opens Friday through Easter Sunday, April 3-5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Gates close at 4 p.m.). Adults $13, Children FREE. A children’s area offers a variety of activities including special photo opportunities for both children and adults. Free parking and valet available.