Indio California Southwest Art Festival
The Indio California Southwest Arts Festival is an annual gathering of over 200 artists to showcase their work. Taking place in Indio, California, at the Empire Polo Club, it is the area's largest three-day art show. Along with art, the festival boasts entertainment and refreshments and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Geography and Climate
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Indio is located in the desert of Southern California According to City-Data.com, Indio, California is a city of approximately 80,000 people and is located south of Palm Springs. It sits in Coachella valley and is home to the Empire Polo Club, where the Southwest Arts Festival is held each year. Guests are known to enjoy Indio's warm winter climate. Entrances are located on Monroe street at Avenue 51.
Art and Entertainment
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Live entertainment is enjoyed throughout the festival The festival features art from over 200 artists from around the country. It spotlights contemporary art, different kinds of jewelry, traditional art, local Southwestern art, sculpture and pottery. The artists spread out over the lawns of the Empire Polo Club, many renting canopy tents to shelter guests from the desert sun. Guests are encouraged to weave through the rows of art and chat with artists in the relaxed environment. A large draw is the featured artists. In the past, names such as Jane Seymour and Amado M. Pena, Jr. have featured art at the Southwest Arts Festival.
During the art festival, there is also entertainment. The former music has included new age music, Native American flutes and live bands.
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Time Frame and Tickets
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Guests can stay in Indio for the entire three nights of the festival, or return home after one day The Southwest Arts Festival is held annually in the winter months. In 2010, it was held in the three-day span of January 29, 30 and 31. Daily, the art festival is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the gates close by 6 p.m.
As of May 2010, Parking is $5 on Monroe street at Avenue 51. If a guest prefers valet, he can pay $8 for that service.
Tickets into the festival are $10; $20 for a three-day pass. Seniors' tickets are $8 and children under the age of 16 are admitted free of charge. There are no dogs allowed at the event, though there is an exception for service animals.
Mentions and Tourism
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The festival brings huge tourism dollars to Indio The Southwest Arts Festival has been running for more than 20 years and is a large portion of the city's tourism profit. Sales have surpassed $1 million for more than four years. It brings people from all over the country to sample the artwork and is put on by the Indio Chamber of Commerce.
According to Sunshine Artist, America's Premier Art and Craft Show Magazine, the Southwest Arts Festival is in the top 100 for "Best Predominately Fine Art and Design Shows."
Considerations
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Hats protect faces from UV rays In the past, people have found this art festival to be crowded because of the amount of artists and guests. Visitors should bring comfortable walking shoes. Also, this festival is in the California desert and even in the winter, the average temperature is in the high 60s. Guests should wear sunscreen and bring a hat if their skin is susceptible to burning.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit glass art image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com california desert primrose (oenothera) image by idrutu from Fotolia.com she is entertaining her friends image by Peter Baxter from Fotolia.com desert sunset image by JULOR from Fotolia.com tourist image by Svetlana Kashkina from Fotolia.com straw hat image by shaga from Fotolia.com
