Helen Frankenthaler, Janus, 1990. Acrylic on canvas, 57 x 94 3/4 in. (144.8 x 240.7 cm). Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, New York © 2021 Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, Inc. / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Courtesy Palm Springs Art Museum.
ART
Helen Frankenthaler: Late Works exhibition reveals sum of the painter’s brilliance (Palm Springs Life)
A year after its controversial sale of a big and beloved Helen Frankenthaler painting, Palm Springs Art Museum has opened an exhibition examining the artist’s final crescendo. The paintings reflect six decades of ideas and techniques, a remarkable continuity that makes the show feel familiar even when each visual journey leads to a new and imaginative place.
Artists Council celebrates its first exhibition at The Galen (CV Independent)
The Artist Council’s NEXUS exhibition and sale, which runs from Oct. 15 to Nov. 21, features the work of more than 100 artists, painters, sculptors, and photographers and christens the group’s now-official permanent home, the Artists Center at The Galen in Palm Desert.
Desert X documentary to screen Oct. 17 in Rancho Mirage (Palm Springs Life)
Desert X 2021 – The Film, a new documentary about the third exhibition of site-specific art in the Coachella Valley, airs Nov. 3 as part of KCET’s Artbound series. A preview screening is scheduled for Oct. 17 at the Rancho Mirage Amphitheater, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with artistic director Neville Wakefield, co-curator César García-Alvarez, artist Kim Stringfellow, and film producer Zoe Lukov.
New murals approved for downtown Coachella (The Desert Sun)
After extensive debate about a pair of renderings for a mural to honor veterans of the Vietnam War, the Coachella City Council has approved a version to be installed at Veterans Park. Less controversial was a proposal for a mural of labor activist Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers, which was unanimously approved.
High Desert artists open their studios this month for public tours (Palm Springs Life)
The Highway 62 Open Studio Art Tours continues Oct. 16-17 and Oct. 23-24 with 165 artists showing and discussing their work. Chuck Caplinger, co-founder of the 20-year-old event, talked to Palm Springs Life about the origins of the tours.
DESIGN
Collage artist brings sharp design to Knife/House (Palm Springs Life)
During the pandemic, collage artist and stationery queen Elicia Castaldi transformed a 1958 home in Palm Springs to vibe with her fiercely feminine and fun line of paper goods inspired by the things she loves: fashion, travel, humor, her cat, and rosé. She named it after the X-Acto knife she always keeps within arm’s reach.
MUSIC AND STAGE
Jamie Grant exits role as CEO at McCallum Theatre (The Desert Sun)
McCallum chairman Harold Matzner told The Desert Sun: “We’re very successful and want to continue down the route we’re on and don’t want to change anything. I think Jamie has a lot of tools and wants to use them.” Grant is the second CEO in two years to be shown the door.
McCallum Theatre adds four shows to reopening season (The Desert Sun)
Four new performances — The Doo Wop Project, Bernadette Peters, Melissa Etheridge, and Celtic Thunder — have been added to the McCallum’s season. Tickets are on sale.
Michael Childers’ One Night Only goes ‘Back to the ’70s’ (The Desert Sun)
Michael Childers’ star-studded benefit One Night Only “Back to the ’70s” takes place Nov. 10 at the McCallum Theatre. The show, featuring 26 performers from Broadway and Hollywood, benefits the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center.
New arena will be a boon for live entertainment in the Coachella Valley (Palm Springs Life)
One year from now, if the schedule holds, the new Coachella Valley Arena will propel the local concert and event calendar closer to big-city heights. Promising to host roughly 160 events a year, the arena has an A-list of backers, including L.A.-based sports and entertainment titan Oak View Group and global music, concert, and event promoter Live Nation.
Desert Theatricals trips the light fantastic (Palm Springs Life)
Desert Theatricals returns with a season of events at the Rancho Mirage Amphitheater. Artistic director Ray Limon and managing director Joshua Carr have been created a line-up of musical theater performances that includes a popular under-the-sea Disney tale, a classic Christmas story, plus three Broadway extravaganzas that feature dinner and a show.
Coachella, Stagecoach festivals no longer requiring proof of vaccination (The Desert Sun)
Goldenvoice has updated its health and safety policy. Festivalgoers now have two options: present proof of a negative COVID-19 test or proof of vaccination for entry into its two Indio-based festivals.
