JANUARY 9 – FEBRUARY 2, 2025

Special events & Workshops

Festival Workshops

Whether you’re new to the plein air world, returning to painting, or an experienced artist looking to add new skills to your repertoire, we offer four workshops for you to explore during the California Desert Plein Air festival. Topics include field sketching, pastels, techniques in oils, and watercolors. Find out more about all these topics and get a headstart on this year’s plein air experience!

SPECIAL EVENTS

Plein Air Paint Out at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

January 14th, 8:00AM – 12:00PM

Immerse yourself in the beauty of art and nature at the Plein Air Paint Out, a featured event of the California Desert Plein Air Festival. This captivating experience invites you to observe talented artists as they paint the stunning outdoor landscape of The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. Set amidst one of the zoo’s 52 enchanting desert botanical gardens, the artists will capture the vibrant colors, textures, and unique features of the desert environment.

As you stroll through the gardens, you’ll have the opportunity to watch these skilled painters work in real time, bringing the desert’s essence to life on their canvases. This family-friendly event is perfect for art enthusiasts, nature lovers, and anyone seeking inspiration in the serene beauty of the desert.

Don’t miss this unforgettable morning of creativity and natural splendor. Come celebrate the harmony of art and the desert’s breathtaking landscapes!

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George Stern Fine Art Gallery

January 14th, 3:30PM – 5:30PM
Jean Stern Lecture:

With the continuous westward expansion of the United States in the late nineteenth century, American Art turned more and more to painting the desert and its unique light, landscape and flora. Much of this early movement was spurred by French paintings in the style called “Orientalist” which highlighted the remoteness and peril of the seemingly endless deserts of the Middle East. Mr. Stern will show and explore works of both eras and discuss some of the notable American artists of this style.

The lecture will show approximately 100 images and last about 45 minutes.

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Awards Reception

January 16th, 5:00PM to 7:00PM
The California Desert Plein Air Festival Awards Reception at the Artists Center in Palm Desert is an elegant evening celebrating the beauty of plein air artistry. Guests are invited to enjoy some wine and delectable hors d’oeuvres while mingling with artists and art enthusiasts. The reception features an inspiring exhibition of plein air works capturing the breathtaking desert landscapes, culminating in an awards presentation honoring outstanding talent. This lively gathering offers a perfect blend of art, culture, and community in a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere.

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El Paseo Art Gallery Highlights

Enjoy great exhibits at the following galleries during and after the festival

George Stern Fine Art

Location: 73329 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA
Exhibit Description: The George Stern Fine Art Gallery proudly presents an exclusive exhibition from January 14th to January 19th, 2025, showcasing the remarkable works of featured artists from the California Desert Plein Air Festival. This vibrant collection celebrates the breathtaking beauty of California’s desert landscapes, captured through masterful plein air techniques. Visitors will experience vivid vistas, golden light, and artistic excellence from renowned talents. Join us for this inspiring tribute to the interplay of nature and art.

Skidmore Contemporary Art

Location: 73130 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA
Exhibit Description: Skidmore Gallery presents Landscape and Plein Air, an exhibition showcasing vibrant works by contemporary artists capturing the beauty of nature through plein air painting. Running from June 6th to June 22nd, 2025, this exhibition highlights diverse landscapes, from California’s desert vistas to its lush valleys and rugged mountains. The artists embrace the tradition of painting outdoors, focusing on the play of light, color, and atmosphere in each piece. Visitors are invited to explore the spontaneous, immersive quality of plein air art and connect with nature’s raw beauty.

WORKSHOP

Pastel Plein Air: Thomas E. Smith

Thursday, January 9, 2025
9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Maximum attendees: 15

This workshop will elevate your artistic journey with successful strategies for creating painterly landscapes with pastels. Tom will do a demo using various techniques. You will learn how to choose a dynamic composition with attention to values and edges. He will cover harmony, encourage loosening your painting style, as well as many other tips and tools. At the end of our day, he will provide constructive and encouraging feedback to wrap up the workshop. sierrapastels.squarespace.com

Artist Register Here:
Public Welcome to Watch

WORKSHOP

Field Sketching for Non-sketcher: Fran Calvert

Thursday, January 9, 2025
9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Maximum attendees: 15

Are you a person who would never draw…who would say “I can’t draw a stick person,”? This class will teach you the basics of field sketching (sketching plein air) focusing on using the simplest lightweight tools and techniques. Join Fran, and let her guide and support your efforts and creativity. You will have something to take home and frame! Fran Calvert lives just outside of Joshua Tree National Park. She enjoys plein air painting, sketching, hiking, backpacking, and riding horses year-round in the high desert. She is a retired technical writer with a B.A. in fine arts and art history from Columbia University. francalvert@gmail.com

Artist Register Here:
Public Welcome to Watch

WORKSHOP

Oil Plein Air: Durre Waseem

Friday, January 10, 2025
9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Maximum attendees: 15

Just bring your joy for learning along with you. Whether you are a novice or an accomplished painter, you will enjoy Durre’s approachable teaching style. You will learn a lot about brushwork, mark making, and getting the different feelings of nature to standout in your paintings. The day will start with painting a demo followed by personal instruction and support as each attendee begins painting! Once registered, you will receive a detailed list of materials to bring including your easel, hat, and chair. durrewaseem.com

Artist Register Here:
Public Welcome to Watch

WORKSHOP

Watercolor Plein Air: Geoffrey Allen

Friday, January 10, 2025
9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Maximum attendees: 15

Learn the joys of capturing the moment, color, and mood of the California desert. This workshop will cover the basic watercolor techniques that can speed up your process, loosen you up, and increase your success in capturing outdoor scenes. The goal of the workshop is to review techniques and procedures of improving your plein-air painting by focusing on visualization, simplification, and editing while accentuating expression, mood, and atmosphere. No subject is perfect but can be improved by playing with design strategies. Through watching Geoff’s step-by-step demonstration, the class will practice seeing value, connecting shape, and capturing light and shadow. Morning will begin with a plein air demo by Geoff, followed by the students painting with individual support and encouragement from Geoff. Once registered, you will receive a suggested list of materials to bring. geoffallenart.com

Artist Register Here:
Public Welcome to Watch