Music headliner Fitz and the Tantrums is just one of the attractions at this year’s Tachevah: A Palm Springs Block Party. A pair of visual artists will be painting on large canvases Wednesday in an effort to spark conversation about the desert’s art scene.
“It’s cool for people to be able to see the creative process and what goes into it,” said Debra Ann Mumm, project coordinator of Venus Studios PLANet Art Project.
The inclusion of the two local artists, Ryan “Motel” Campbell and Chris Sanchez, comes just after a controversy hit Palm Springs about public art.
Originally called PLANet Art Palm Springs Mural Project, the collective had hoped to create four murals on four buildings in the city, until it was halted by city officials earlier this month. Recently, the Palm Springs Public Arts Commission endorsed a proposed policy change that would enable a process to approve future mural projects.
“Public art, especially murals, are 100 percent beneficial to communities,” said Mumm. “They create dialogue about art, generate revenue and improve quality of communities.”
After the murals were stalled, Mumm is excited for this new chance to showcase the artists. The mural project and the incorporation of performance art into Tachevah, she said, puts Palm Springs in a similar standing to places like Miami.
“[Palm Springs] should be a destination where people go and think of art,” Mumm said. “[Forever] Marilyn is gone now. People need other things to take pictures with.”
The canvases, provided by Venus Studios Art Supply in Palm Desert, will stand nearly six feet in height, stretched on easels. After completion, they’ll be available for sale with proceeds benefiting the Venus Studios PLANet Art Project.
The artists will start production late Wednesday afternoon.
Campbell typically leans toward figurative paintings but is also influenced by his surroundings. Tachevah will be an interesting backdrop, he said.
“Usually when I paint live, I kind of wait and see what the energy of the crowd is,” said Campbell, 33, of Palm Desert.
“That really affects what I paint and how I paint it.”
Campbell works with a few different materials including spray paint, charcoal and acrylics, and the mix of the three is dependent on his mood and the crowd’s reaction at the venue.
“I can go in with an idea, but it always ends up changing,” he said.
Campbell is no stranger to live performance art. In other situations, he’s invited young onlookers to grab a brush and paint beside him. He loves that interaction and instilling the value of art at an early age. Campbell is open to doing that at Tachevah, but again, it’s dependent on the crowd.
“This puts [art] on a big scale and allows people to really see some of the different art in the valley,” he said. “It’s important for people to get involved in public art, in seeing public art and interacting with public art.”
If you go
What: Fitz and the Tantrums performing at Tachevah: A Palm Springs Block Party with Classixx, ONE11, CIVX and the Yip Yops
When: Doors open at 5 p.m., music starts 5:45 p.m.
Where: Downtown Palm Springs, outside of the Spa Resort Casino, 401 E. Amado Road, Palm Springs
Tickets: Free
Information: Desertsun.com/Tachevah