Palm Springs Art Museum - Palm Springs, CA

May 27, 2007

If you are trying to define the flavor of Palm Springs - to determine what makes this place so appealing - a quick trip to the Palm Springs Art Museum will help. This is an intimate museum - just the right size for a three-hour tour. It is conveniently located next to the Annenberg Theater and is only one block from the restaurants and shopping on Palm Canyon Drive.

There are a few trophy pieces (Motherwell, Modigliani, Chihuly, Warhol) weaved in with a smartly assembled collection of Western and MesoAmerican art; Native American crafts, artwork and furnishings; and Contemporary sculpture and paintings. Each exhibit tells a cohesive story and is relevant to the art, history and culture of the area.

Art snobs may leave a bit starved for big names (LACMA and the Getty are just 2 hours away), but I believe most will enjoy a visit. This museum is whimsical, historical, hip, surprising and deserty all at once - just like the town that houses it.

First Floor

• Special Exhibits - Try to catch the Marion Pike exhibit (through Sept. 23, 2007) to see her massive and hauntingly beautiful portraits of 20th century celebrities. And... if you're not a big fan of cowboy artists, the Treasures from the West exhibit (through Sept. 23, 2007) just might change your mind. The exhibit features stunning Native American and Western works that will resonate with anyone who loves the Western US.

• Permanent Exhibits:
  
• Best of the West
• Contemporary Desert Photography
• Contemporary Glass
• Desert Painters
• Miniature Room
  

Second Floor

• MesoAmerican Art - A wonderful exhibit! You will leave with a good understanding of the regional differences in MesoAmerican art.
  

Third Floor

• 20th Century Art
• 20th Century Sculpture
  

Links:
Palm Springs Art Museum Website
Directions