MEDIA RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 21, 2019
Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition 2019 – AWARDS ANNOUNCED

The 7th annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition in Twentynine Palms enjoyed significant visitor traffic on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14 and 15, 2019, in spite of triple digit temperatures, with more than 1,000 visitors attending the Art Market on the lawn at 29 Palms Inn, the juried exhibition at the historic 29 Palms Art Gallery, and other activities at the Oasis of Mara.

On Saturday night, nearly 400 people attended the awards reception at the 29 Palms Art Gallery, which featured the juried exhibition of artwork inspired by Joshua Tree National Park.

Out of 137 artists from the desert and across California and the U.S. who submitted entries for the juried exhibition, 57 artists were selected for the show, which remains on display through September. Eleven artists received awards for their artwork, with awards totaling $5,000.

In the 2-Dimensional Art category, first place went to artist Marcia Geiger of Joshua Tree for her oil painting “Ohlson Ruins, JTNP.” Second place went to William Casolara of Sheridan, MT, for his wood marquetry piece “Skull Rock Landscape.” Third place was given to artist B.E. Baxter of Palm Desert for his pencil and chalk drawing “Quiescence Solitude.”

For 3-Dimensional Art, first place went to Valerie Birkhoff of Grass Valley, for her clay sculpture “Praeservare.” Second place went to Laurie Schafer of Yucca Valley for her fabric art piece “Desert Vista from My Screen Door.” Third place was given to artist Nichole Vikdal of Yucca Valley for her crystalline glaze porcelain ceramic vase “Joshua Tree in Bloom.”

In the Photography category, first place went to Mitch Miller of Joshua Tree for “Upload.” Second place went to Rick Strobaugh of Yucaipa for “Storm Over Joshua Tree.” Third place went to Robert Miramontes of Desert Hot Springs for “Mysterium.”

A new Best of Show award was included in the prizes this year. The winner was Whitney Gardner of Twentynine Palms for her oil painting “Ocotillo Sky.”

And finally, the Superintendent’s Award, a non-monetary award personally selected by Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent David Smith, was presented to Mark Robben of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, for his black-and-white photograph “Eastern Outpost.”

Judges for the awards were artist and architect Ann Congdon of Twentynine Palms and Sky’s The Limit Observatory, Michael McCall of Yucca Valley Visual & Performing Arts Center, and award-winning landscape astrophotographer Wally Pacholka.

The exhibition will remain on display at 29 Palms Art Gallery through Sunday, Sept. 29. The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, and is located at 74055 Cottonwood Drive at the corner of National Park Drive in Twentynine Palms. (760-367-7819)

The Art Exposition is presented by the Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) organization based in Twentynine Palms. All the artwork and winning pieces will be posted soon on their website at www.jtnparts.org.

MEDIA RELEASE – JULY 26, 2019
Artists Announced for Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition 2019

Fifty-seven artists have been selected for the juried exhibition at the Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition 2019 in September in Twentynine Palms, CA.

On Saturday, July 20, a panel of five jurors met and juried 347 artwork images submitted by 137 artists from across California, the U.S., and Canada. After nearly seven hours of deliberation, the jury selected 57 artists and art pieces for this year’s show, featuring artwork depicting or inspired by Joshua Tree National Park or its cultural history. Artwork categories this year were 2-Dimensional, 3-Dimensional, and Photography. The exhibition will be on display at 29 Palms Art Gallery for the month of September.

Joshua Tree artists include Benjamin Allanoff, Marcia Geiger, Louis Hernandez, Alane Levinsohn, and photographers Matt Collins, Doug Dolde, David McChesney, Mitch Miller, Kevin Powell, and Jim Smart.

Yucca Valley artists are Janis Commentz, Laurie Schafer, Esther Shaw, Travis Usher, Nichole Vikdal, and photographer Tami Roleff.

Twentynine Palms is represented by artists Whitney Gardner, Elisabeth Pollnow, Mark Spicak, and Timothy Warren. And photographer Bill Leigh Brewer was selected from Morongo Valley.

Coachella Valley artists selected for the exhibition are Larry Hemmerich and David A. Lee of Palm Springs; B.E. Baxter and Marilyn Froggatt of Palm Desert; De Karlan and Robin Raznick of La Quinta; Elaine Mathews and Ehrick Wright of Rancho Mirage; Dean Mayo of Indio; and Robert Miramontes and Arlene Winfrey of Desert Hot Springs.

Other California artists include Juliette Vos of Camarillo; Valerie Birkhoff and Sylviane Gaumer Giacoletto of Grass Valley; Donna Elliot of Idylwild; Karchi Perlman and Chris Turnham of Los Angeles; Lisa Liang of Millbrae; Juniper Harrower of Oakland; Emily Nunez and Sicong Sui of Pasadena; Mark Robben of Rancho Palos Verdes; Vicki Pedersen of Riverside; Kay Kaplan of San Diego; Brandon Baron of San Francisco; Kathleen Strukoff of San Juan Capistrano; Jeff Skelly of Sunland; Terry Houseworth of Tustin; and Rick Strobaugh of Yucaipa.

From up north, Canadian artist David Flatt was selected from Vancouver, British Columbia; and Bert Mattingly will be participating from Anchorage, Alaska.

Other out-of-state artists included Benjamin Calvert of Villa Park, Illinois; William Casolara of Sheridan, Montana; Michael McKay of Bozeman, Montana; Alexandra Taggart of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Jenny Baham of Las Vegas, Nevada.

One piece of art from each of the 57 artists will be displayed in the juried exhibition at the historic 29 Palms Art Gallery from September 1 to 29. The public is invited to a gala awards reception at 29 Palms Art Gallery on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $5, available at the door.

The Art Exposition weekend celebration will take place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14 & 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, with an Art Market, artist booths, music, food and beverages on the lawn at 29 Palms Inn; art demonstrations and the exhibition at 29 Palms Art Gallery; art projects at 29 Palms Creative Center; ranger talks at the park’s Oasis Visitor Center; and exhibits at the Old Schoolhouse Museum. Admission is free.

Jurors for this year’s juried exhibition were: Mark Spangenberg of Twentynine Palms, fine artist, contemporary realist, and art instructor; Lori Rennie of Benchmark Studios in Joshua Tree, graphic designer and art collector; Gary S. Colby, photographer and Professor of Photography Emeritus, University of Laverne; Sarah Scheideman, arts administrator, producer for Scene Creative LLC, and former Executive Director of The Coachella Valley Art Scene (CVAS); and Ed Keesling of Yucca Valley, ceramic artist, art instructor, and President of 29 Palms Art Gallery.

The annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition is presented by Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, in partnership with 29 Palms Art Gallery and 29 Palms Inn. For more information about the event, visit www.jtnpARTS.org.

MEDIA RELEASE – JULY 26, 2019
Artists Announced for Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition 2019

Fifty-seven artists have been selected for the juried exhibition at the Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition 2019 in September in Twentynine Palms, CA.

On Saturday, July 20, a panel of five jurors met and juried 347 artwork images submitted by 137 artists from across California, the U.S., and Canada. After nearly seven hours of deliberation, the jury selected 57 artists and art pieces for this year’s show, featuring artwork depicting or inspired by Joshua Tree National Park or its cultural history. Artwork categories this year were 2-Dimensional, 3-Dimensional, and Photography. The exhibition will be on display at 29 Palms Art Gallery for the month of September.

Joshua Tree artists include Benjamin Allanoff, Marcia Geiger, Louis Hernandez, Alane Levinsohn, and photographers Matt Collins, Doug Dolde, David McChesney, Mitch Miller, Kevin Powell, and Jim Smart.

Yucca Valley artists are Janis Commentz, Laurie Schafer, Esther Shaw, Travis Usher, Nichole Vikdal, and photographer Tami Roleff.

Twentynine Palms is represented by artists Whitney Gardner, Elisabeth Pollnow, Mark Spicak, and Timothy Warren. And photographer Bill Leigh Brewer was selected from Morongo Valley.

Coachella Valley artists selected for the exhibition are Larry Hemmerich and David A. Lee of Palm Springs; B.E. Baxter and Marilyn Froggatt of Palm Desert; De Karlan and Robin Raznick of La Quinta; Elaine Mathews and Ehrick Wright of Rancho Mirage; Dean Mayo of Indio; and Robert Miramontes and Arlene Winfrey of Desert Hot Springs.

Other California artists include Juliette Vos of Camarillo; Valerie Birkhoff and Sylviane Gaumer Giacoletto of Grass Valley; Donna Elliot of Idylwild; Karchi Perlman and Chris Turnham of Los Angeles; Lisa Liang of Millbrae; Juniper Harrower of Oakland; Emily Nunez and Sicong Sui of Pasadena; Mark Robben of Rancho Palos Verdes; Vicki Pedersen of Riverside; Kay Kaplan of San Diego; Brandon Baron of San Francisco; Kathleen Strukoff of San Juan Capistrano; Jeff Skelly of Sunland; Terry Houseworth of Tustin; and Rick Strobaugh of Yucaipa.

From up north, Canadian artist David Flatt was selected from Vancouver, British Columbia; and Bert Mattingly will be participating from Anchorage, Alaska.

Other out-of-state artists included Benjamin Calvert of Villa Park, Illinois; William Casolara of Sheridan, Montana; Michael McKay of Bozeman, Montana; Alexandra Taggart of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Jenny Baham of Las Vegas, Nevada.

One piece of art from each of the 57 artists will be displayed in the juried exhibition at the historic 29 Palms Art Gallery from September 1 to 29. The public is invited to a gala awards reception at 29 Palms Art Gallery on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $5, available at the door.

The Art Exposition weekend celebration will take place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14 & 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, with an Art Market, artist booths, music, food and beverages on the lawn at 29 Palms Inn; art demonstrations and the exhibition at 29 Palms Art Gallery; art projects at 29 Palms Creative Center; ranger talks at the park’s Oasis Visitor Center; and exhibits at the Old Schoolhouse Museum. Admission is free.

Jurors for this year’s juried exhibition were: Mark Spangenberg of Twentynine Palms, fine artist, contemporary realist, and art instructor; Lori Rennie of Benchmark Studios in Joshua Tree, graphic designer and art collector; Gary S. Colby, photographer and Professor of Photography Emeritus, University of Laverne; Sarah Scheideman, arts administrator, producer for Scene Creative LLC, and former Executive Director of The Coachella Valley Art Scene (CVAS); and Ed Keesling of Yucca Valley, ceramic artist, art instructor, and President of 29 Palms Art Gallery.

The annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition is presented by Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, in partnership with 29 Palms Art Gallery and 29 Palms Inn. For more information about the event, visit www.jtnpARTS.org.

MEDIA RELEASE – July 3, 2018

Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition – 2018 Artists Announced

Fifty-eight artists have been selected to display their artwork in the juried exhibition for the sixth annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition in September in Twentynine Palms, CA.

On Saturday, June 30, a panel of five jurors met and juried 310 artwork images submitted by 121 artists from across California, the U.S., and abroad. The jury selected 58 artists and art pieces for this year’s show, with artwork depicting or inspired by Joshua Tree National Park or its cultural history. Artwork ranged from oil and acrylic paintings, watercolors, pastels, mixed media, and photography, to several three-dimensional pieces.

Twentynine Palms artists selected are for the show Chuck Caplinger, Elisabeth Pollnow, Mark Spangenberg, and photographers Lisa Manifold and Thien Weslie.

Yucca Valley artists in this year’s exhibition are Hannah Campbell, John Henson, Deane Locke, Dallas Rayburn, Travis Usher, and photographers David Clements, Daniel Lee, Terrence Mayes, and Marjorie Trandem.

Joshua Tree artists include Raini Armstrong, Douglas Blanc, Marcia Geiger, Alane Levinsohn, and photographers Doug Dolde, Marilyn McFarlin, Kathy Miller, Mitch Miller, Kevin Powell, and Jim Smart.

Morongo Valley artists are Kristin Czech and Tami Wood.

Artists from the low desert are Robert Miramontes of Desert Hot Springs and Larry Hemmerich of Palm Springs.

Other California artists are: Robert Arnett of Glendora (and Twentynine Palms); Jane Culp of Anza; Lee Edwards of Duarte; Eric Fei Guan of Walnut; Michael E. Gordon of Lakewood; Kai Gradert of Emeryville; Paul Gronner of Los Angeles; James Hammons of Sugarloaf; Terry Houseworth of Tustin; Elise Hunt of Laguna Niguel; Caroline PM Jones of Culver City; Kathy Kleinsteiber of San Jose; Lezlie Kussin of Granada Hills; Angel LaCanfora of Torrance; Joan Lamensdorf of Pasadena; Julia Lippincott of San Diego; Chip Morton of Menifee; Brandon O’Neil of No. Hollywood; Miroslav Peric of Sherman Oaks; Karchi Perlmann of Los Angeles; Alana Rios of Oakland; Mark Robben of Rancho Palos Verdes; W Jason Situ of El Monte; Jeff Skelly of Sunland; Kathleen Strukoff of San Juan Capistrano; Donna Todd of Valley Glen; and Brice Weaver of Lakeside.

Out-of-state artists selected were: Chin J. Banham of Las Vegas, Nevada; Lester Blum of New York City; and Naomi Brown of Queen Creek, Arizona. One piece of art from each of the 58 artists will be displayed in the juried exhibition at the historic 29 Palms Art Gallery from Sept. 1 to 30. The public is invited to a gala awards reception at the gallery on Saturday, Sept. 15, from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Art Exposition weekend celebration is set for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15 & 16, and will include an Art Market with artist booths, music, food and beverages on the lawn at 29 Palms Inn; art demonstrations and the exhibition at 29 Palms Art Gallery; an art project at 29 Palms Creative Center; ranger talks at the park’s Oasis Visitor Center; nature walks at the Oasis of Mara; and other activities throughout the weekend. All events are admission free.

Jurors for the juried exhibition, working with facilitator John Cole and artist liaison Vickie Waite, were: Artist and art instructor Penelope Benson-Wright of 29 Palms; artist Bobby Furst of Furstworld in Joshua Tree; artist and collector Daniel Hogan of Yucca Valley; photographer and cinematographer Casey Kiernan of Joshua Tree Workshops and Timelapse Film Festival; and Michael McCall of Yucca Valley Visual & Performing Arts Center.

The annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition is presented by Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, in partnership with 29 Palms Art Gallery, 29 Palms Inn, 29 Palms Creative Center, and Joshua Tree National Park. 

MEDIA RELEASE – September 4, 2017
Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition – Sept. 16 & 17 in Twentynine Palms

The fifth annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition will take place Sept. 16 and 17 at the Oasis of Mara in Twentynine Palms, CA. The weekend celebration will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the 29 Palms Art Gallery and 29 Palms Inn, located off National Park Drive, at the 29 Palms Creative Center at 6847 Adobe Road, and at the Joshua Tree National Park Oasis Visitor Center on National Park Drive at Utah Trail.

A highlight of the expo is an international juried exhibition of artwork inspired by Joshua Tree National Park, which is on display for the month of September at the historic 29 Palms Art Gallery, featuring the work of 63 artists from the desert region and across California, the United States, and abroad.

A gala awards reception will be held for artists and the public on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 5 to 8 p.m. at 29 Palms Art Gallery. Attendees are invited to view the exhibition and enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar. Awards totaling $5,000 will be presented, along with a special Superintendent’s Award presented by Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent David Smith. A short film by Jorge Davies will be shown at the conclusion of the awards ceremony.

On Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., an Art Market will be held on the lawn at 29 Palms Inn, featuring artists’ booths with artwork for sale, food and beverages provided by the Inn, and live music on the lawn by the Luminators and Dana Larsen. A special drawing will be held for all attendees with an opportunity to win original artwork by local artists Chuck Caplinger and Mark Spangenberg.

Art demonstrations for all ages will be offered on the patio at the 29 Palms Art Gallery from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday by artists from the 29 Palms Artists’ Guild, Chaparral Artists, and Morongo Basin Cultural Arts Council. And the public is invited to participate in a community mosaic mural project at the 29 Palms Creative Center all day Saturday and Sunday, led by artists Salina Phanara and Gretchen Grunt.

Ranger talks will be given at the park’s Oasis Visitor Center at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. both days, and naturalist Pat Flanagan will lead “Early Bird” tours of the Oasis of Mara at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

A complete schedule of events is available online at www.jtnpARTS.org and printed copies are at the Twentynine Palms Visitor Center and Chamber of Commerce, 29 Palms Art Gallery, and various locations in Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley. All events are admission free.

The annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition is presented by Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Twentynine Palms.

MEDIA RELEASE – July 25, 2017
Artists Announced for Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition 2017

Sixty-three artists have been selected for the honor of displaying their artwork in the international juried exhibition for the fifth annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition in September in Twentynine Palms, CA.

On Friday, July 21, a panel of six jurors met and juried 290 artwork images submitted by 120 artists from across the desert, California, the U.S., British Columbia and abroad. The jury selected 63 artists and art pieces depicting or inspired by Joshua Tree National Park for this year’s show. Artwork ranged from oil and acrylic paintings, watercolors, mixed media, and photography, to ceramics, assemblage, and metal sculpture.

International artists selected for the show were David Flatt of Vancouver, British Columbia, and Izabela Pawlaczyk of Koszalin, Poland.

Seven out-of-state artists were selected: Pam Ambrosio of Tucson, Arizona; Chin J. Banham of Las Vegas, Nevada; James Bush (Remi JaBuh) of Scottsdale, Arizona; Shelly Hull of Denver, Colorado; Alexandra Taggart of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Katherine Tonnessen of Vashon, Washington; and Kim Zarney of Cleveland, Ohio.

Artists in the Joshua Tree Gateway Communities include Marcia Geiger of Landers, and Joshua Tree artists Raini Armstrong, Gerhard Kammer, Eileen Kaniefski, Jessie Keylon, Alane Levinsohn, Alita Van Vliet, and photographers Doug Dolde, Mitch Miller, Jim Smart, and John Van Vliet.

Twentynine Palms artists selected are Penelope Benson-Wright, Chuck Caplinger, Marilyn Fernald, Lisa Manifold, and Elisabeth Pollnow.

Yucca Valley artists in this year’s exhibition are Hannah Campbell, Janis Commentz, Timothy Hearsum, Rossana Jeran, Ed Keesling, Daniel Lee, Ilona Mercier, Darlene Morris, Esther Shaw, Heather Sprague, Travis Usher, Nichole Vikdal, and Krista Wargo.

Artists from the Coachella Valley are Hunter Johnson and Douglas Shoemaker of Palm Springs; Robert Miramontes of Desert Hot Springs; Andrea Raft of Indio; Martha Villegas of Cathedral City; and Ehrick Wright of Rancho Mirage.

Other California artists are: Robert Arnett of Glendora (and Twentynine Palms); Valerie Messervy Birkhoff of Grass Valley; Linda Brown of Claremont; Teal Buehler of Chico; Larry Carpenter of San Marcos; Jane Culp of Anza; Lee Edwards of Duarte; Celeste Evans of Ojai; Michael E. Gordon of Long Beach; James Hammons of Sugarloaf (and Joshua Tree); Rose Ireland of Poway; Joan Lamensdorf of Pasadena; Greg Lucker of Murrietta; Chip Morton of Menifee; Christopher Pecharka of Laguna Niguel; David Sabet of San Clemente; Marie Van Dorp Skelly of Sunland; Brice Weaver of San Diego; and Jocelyn Young of Placentia.

One piece of art from each of the 63 artists will be displayed in the juried exhibition at the historic 29 Palms Art Gallery from Sept. 1 to Oct. 1. An awards reception will be held at the gallery on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 5 to 8 p.m.

The Art Exposition weekend celebration is set for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16 & 17, and will include an Art Market with artist booths, music, food and beverages on the lawn at 29 Palms Inn; art demonstrations and the exhibition at 29 Palms Art Gallery; a community mural project at 29 Palms Creative Center; ranger talks at the park’s Oasis Visitor Center; nature walks at the Oasis of Mara; and other activities throughout the weekend. All events are admission free.

The 2017 jurors for the juried exhibition, working with facilitator John Cole and artist liaison Vickie Waite, were:

• Larry Cush of Yucca Valley, Artist, Mixed Media and Public Art, formerly of Cush Art Studio, La Quinta, and former juror for La Quinta Arts Festival.
• John Fisher of Redlands, Artist, retired Art Instructor at Redlands High School and former District Mentor, California Arts Project. Robert Hamilton, Art and Design Instructor, Twentynine Palms High School.
• Casey Kiernan, Photographer, Filmmaker, Owner of Joshua Tree Workshops.
• Danielle Segura, Executive Director, Mojave Desert Land Trust, Joshua Tree.
• Jane Smith, Art Collector, Owner of 29 Palms Inn.

The annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition is presented by Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts, in partnership with 29 Palms Art Gallery, both 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.

MEDIA RELEASE – May 23, 2017
Call For Art: Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition 2017

Artwork entries are now being accepted for the fifth annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition and Juried Exhibition, which will be held in September at the Oasis of Mara in Twentynine Palms, next to Joshua Tree National Park Headquarters.

Deadline for entry submissions for the juried exhibition is Saturday, July 15, 2017, by 11:59 p.m. PT. Artwork must depict or be inspired by the unique aspects of Joshua Tree National Park or its cultural history. Artists may enter up to three (3) artwork entries for an entry fee of $35, and images of the artwork and entry fees can be submitted online. Complete guidelines and entry form are available at www.JTNPArts.org.

Approximately 50 to 60 artists will be selected for the honor of exhibiting in the show, which will be on display at the historic 29 Palms Art Gallery for the month of September, with an awards reception set for Saturday night, Sept. 16.

Artists’ work will be for sale during the show, and they will be included in an exhibition catalogue and eligible for one of several cash awards totaling $5,000. Entry is open to national and international visual artists age 18 and over. The artist’s work can be 2D or 3D and must be original and created within the last five (5) years.

In addition to the exhibition, the Art Expo weekend celebration is set for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at various venues at the Oasis of Mara. The event will include an Art Market, booths, live music, food and beverages on the lawn at 29 Palms Inn; art classes, demonstrations, and the exhibition at 29Palms Art Gallery; demonstrations at 29 Palms Creative Center; interpretive walks and talks at Joshua Tree National Park Oasis Visitor Center and the Oasis of Mara, and more.

A complimentary 10×10 booth space will be offered for juried artists to sell additional art during the Art Expo weekend’s Art Market. Other artists may participate in the Art Market for a $50 booth fee.

The Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition is presented by Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and local sponsors and partners. For more information, visit the website www.JTNPArts.org, or email: artists@jtnparts.org.

MEDIA RELEASE – September 19, 2016
Awards Announced for Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition 2016

The fourth annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition in Twentynine Palms was a successful event over the weekend of Sept. 17 and 18. Nearly 250 people attended the awards reception on Saturday night at the historic 29 Palms Art Gallery, which featured a juried exhibition of artwork inspired by Joshua Tree National Park.

Out of 92 artist entries from California and across the nation, 49 artists were juried into the exhibition, and seven received special awards for their work, with awards totaling more than $5,000:

First Place Award went to Jaymie Arquilevich of Ojai, CA, for her fabric art piece “A Meeting of Trees.”

Second Place went to Frederick Fulmer of Joshua Tree, for his mixed media “Desert Tracks.

Third Place was Kim Zarney of Cleveland, Ohio, for his “Joshua Tree” water soluble oil on paper.

Fourth Place went to John Van Vliet of Joshua Tree for his photograph “Critical Mass.”

Honorable Mentions were given to Robert Fogel of Haughton, Louisiana; Larry Percy of Troy, Alabama; Karine Swenson of Joshua Tree; and Echo Westover of Yucca Valley.

The Superintendent’s Award, personally selected by Joshua Tree National Park Superintendent David Smith, was given to Sal Vasquez of Palmdale, CA, for his 8×10 plein-air oil painting “Joshua Tree Sunrise, Headstone Rock.”

For more details on the Art Expo weekend activities, read full media release. 

MEDIA RELEASE – August 1, 2016
Artists Announced for Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition 2016

Forty-nine artists have been selected for the honor of displaying their artwork in the juried exhibition for the fourth annual Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition in September in Twentynine Palms, CA.

On Friday, July 29, a selection committee met and juried 236 artwork images submitted by 92 artists from across California, the U.S., and British Columbia. The jury selected 49 artists and art pieces depicting or inspired by Joshua Tree National Park for this year’s show. Artwork ranged from oil and acrylic paintings, watercolors, mixed media, and photography, to ceramic, glass, and metal sculpture. For artist selection and more details, read full media release.

MEDIA RELEASE – November 9, 2015
Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition 2015 – Weekend Events

A schedule of events is now available for the Joshua Tree National Park Art Exposition this weekend in Twentynine Palms. All events are free and open to the public. Festivities begin on Friday, Nov. 13, with an opening art reception at the historic 29 Palms Art Gallery from 5 to 8 p.m. The evening event will celebrate the Joshua Tree National Park Juried Art Exhibition 2015, and will include an awards ceremony at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend, meet the artists, and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar. The gallery is located at the corner of National Park Drive and Cottonwood Drive in Twentynine Palms.  full press release

MEDIA RELEASE – September 21, 2015
53 Artist Selection Announced – Juried Art Exhibition 2015 – Joshua Tree National Park

Fifty-three artists have been selected for the honor of displaying their artwork in the Joshua Tree National Park Juried Art Exhibition 2015 at the historic 29 Palms Art Gallery, a highlight of the third annual Art Exposition in November at the Oasis of Mara in Twentynine Palms, CA. full press release