Inspired by the Annenbergs’ Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art collection and bordered by the majestic San Jacinto Mountains, the gardens bloom with texture, color, and life, making the landscape a perfect picture to paint, sketch, or photograph.

On every day Sunnylands is opened to the public, visitors are invited to create their own work of art inspired by the gardens from 8:30 am to 3:45 pm. Artists may paint, photograph, and sketch the beauty of the desert landscape and surrounding mountain range. Guests are to provide their own materials, situate themselves away from the Center, and not block pathways. Painters are to tarp their area before beginning. All artists are asked to please not dispose of waste, including paint water, in the gardens.

This program takes place outdoors. Sun protection, water, and comfortable closed-toed shoes are recommended.

Guests may find full guidelines and more information here.

Inspired by the Annenbergs’ Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art collection and bordered by the majestic San Jacinto Mountains, the gardens bloom with texture, color, and life, making the landscape a perfect picture to paint, sketch, or photograph.

On every day Sunnylands is opened to the public, visitors are invited to create their own work of art inspired by the gardens from 8:30 am to 3:45 pm. Artists may paint, photograph, and sketch the beauty of the desert landscape and surrounding mountain range. Guests are to provide their own materials, situate themselves away from the Center, and not block pathways. Painters are to tarp their area before beginning. All artists are asked to please not dispose of waste, including paint water, in the gardens.

Guests may find full guidelines and more information here.

Conducted by knowledgeable birders, this free 60-minute guided walk introduces guests to many local and migratory bird species in the Sunnylands gardens. The free bird walk is offered at 8:45 am Friday from November through May. No reservations. Binoculars are recommended.

This program takes place outdoors. Sun protection, water, and comfortable closed-toed shoes are recommended.

See an annotated list of birds here.

In celebration of Day of the Dead traditions, guests will be part of an art-making experience with printmaking artists Dennis Johnson and Joan Black.

Participants will learn about the tradition of printmaking in Mexico and the influence artist Jose Guadalupe Posada had on the iconography of Day of the Dead celebrations. Participants will create and carve their Day of the Dead-inspired design on linoleum while learning to print using different techniques. Everyone will leave with one carved linoleum and an individual print.

No previous art experience necessary. Space is limited.
Reservations are required. Unregistered guests may not attend.
Fee: $25 per person
Please purchase tickets HERE.

For additional information, please call 760.202.2254.
If you are interested in an art workshop that is sold out, please email your name and phone number to imiranda@sunnylands.org to be added to the wait list.

Instructors:
Dennis Johnson has an MFA degree in printmaking from the University of South Florida, Tampa Florida. He is a member of the Artists Council at Palm Springs Art Museum. Dennis has conducted workshops at Palm Springs Art Museum, Riverside Art Museum, and Stumptown Art Studio in Whitefish MT. Dennis has exhibited nationally and internationally, and has won numerous awards in juried exhibitions. His work is in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, St. Louis Art Museum, and Museum of Contemporary Art in Madison, Wisconsin. Dennis is a faculty member in the Art Department at California State University of San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus.

Throughout the years, Joan Black’s busy, happy hands wove fibers into weavings large and small, steeped natural dyes to create unique patterns on yards of fabrics, sculpted ceramics, painted, and printed both mono and linoleum prints. She has been engaged in learning and working with her hands throughout her entire life. Anything she creates builds upon a story that she needs to share—whether a response to global events, transitions in life, or a topic relating to science or psychology.

Sunnylands’ free outdoor movie series, Films on the Great Lawn, is presented on three Fridays in September. No reservations are required.

In A Birder’s Guide to Everything, a group of teenage birders embark on a quest to find a bird that’s thought to be extinct. This 2013 adventure film, is a winner of two international film festival awards.

A Birder’s Guide to Everything will be screened on Friday, September 28. Rated: PG-13, Running time: 1 hour 26 minutes
See the official trailer here.

Film-goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and small picnic items for the outdoor screening. Large coolers, alcohol, smoking, and pets are not permitted. Please see information about Sunnylands policies regarding pets and picnics. With limited parking, carpooling is strongly advised.

The movie will be introduced by a representative of the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Times for all films are:

Gate opens: 7:00 pm
Film begins: 7:30 pm

• Friday, September 14: The Eagle Huntress
• Friday, September 21: The Birds
• Friday, September 28: A Birder’s Guide to Everything

Sunnylands Center & Gardens
37977 Bob Hope Drive,
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

For more information please contact the education department at 760.202.2234 or email education@sunnylands.org.

They came with brothers and sisters, their moms and dads, and the teachers who inspired them to create works of art.

In all, more than 100 people gathered at Sunnylands Center & Gardens on May 1 to celebrate the participants and winners of the 2018 Congressional Art Competition in Rep. Raul Ruiz’s 36^th Congressional District.

Since 1982, the Congressional Institute has sponsored an art competition in every congressional district in the nation to recognize high school students with artistic talent. Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have participated in the event. The competition for the 36^th Congressional District was open to high school students in the Coachella Valley and eastern Inland Empire.

Before Ruiz announced the winners, the student artists and their parents, siblings, and friends enjoyed refreshments while viewing the 44 pieces of art entered into this year’s competition that had been put on display in the Center.

Sunnylands and art have a long history, starting with the extraordinary collection of paintings, sculptures, sketches and kinetic art amassed by Walter and Leonore Annenberg.

“The Annenbergs felt that bringing people together in a space and surrounding them with art was a wonderful catalyst for conversation, for dialogue, for getting through ideas and discussions and solving problems and world issues,” Michaeleen Gallagher, director of education and environmental programs, said in her welcoming remarks. “So, having the art in this space really comes full circle for Sunnylands.”

For his part, Ruiz thanked area community leaders who served as judges; the friends and family of the students for their encouragement and support; and the artists themselves, students who were brave enough to tell their stories – either their personal experiences or what they see around their community – through their art.

“It really takes a lot of courage for people to put that story, to put that heart and soul, into this artwork; and then to be judged. I want to let you all know that all of you are winners in my book,” he said.

The winners of the 2018 Congressional Art Competition are:

• Nadia Talamantez of San Jacinto High School, first place, for her sketch, A Moment in Time.
• Darius Patrick of Palm Springs High School, second place, for his artwork, Motherland.
• Kayla Mariner of Palm Springs High School, third place, for her sketch, We are Free.
• Khoa Nguyen of Indio High School, honorable mention, for his piece, Portrait.

Nadia will have her artwork on display at the U.S. Capitol and receive, with a parent, a trip to Washington, D.C. for a ceremony in honor of the all the national first place winners. Darius will have his art work hung in Ruiz’s office in Washington, D.C. Kayla’s artwork will be on display in Ruiz’s Palm Desert office, and Khoa’s art will be hung in the Hemet office.

After the winners were announced, guests continued to enjoy the reception as students discussed their art.

Jennifer Avila, a senior from Indio High School, commented on her photograph. “I first entered Tubes at the Riverside County Fair. I got best of class and first place,” she said. “My art teacher encouraged me to enter Tubes here.” Irie Gonzalez, a junior at Indio High School, described the process of her piece, Portrait on Collage. “It was my first time using oil pastels on non-traditional canvas. I had a hard time getting the skin tone right, but I’m happy with it,” she said.

Hot Club of Palm Springs, best known for interpreting classic swing music from the 1920s through the 1940s, performs at Sunnylands for the first time when Music in the Gardens, the popular weekend concert series returns in March.

Formed by Bob Hamilton of Post Modern Jukebox fame, Hot Club of Palm Springs features Hamilton on guitar and banjo, bassist/vocalist Bill Saitta, saxophonist Craig Yancy and multi-instrumentalist Don Reed.

Hot Club’s performance on March 4 is the first of four, free outdoor concerts that will take place each Sunday in March from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sunnylands Center & Gardens, 37977 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage.

The performance schedule also includes:

March 11 – Barry Baughn Blues Band: Barry Baughn and his blues band are well-regarded in the blues circuit of Southern California and beyond, thanks to YouTube and iTunes. Playing for over 53 years, Baughn has played with Albert King, Delaney Bramlett, Bobbie Gentry, Jim Stafford, Charo, Hank Thompson, and many more.

March 18 – Three Micks and a Chick: A traditional Irish band, the group consists of Mick Lynch, Andrea Bond, John King, Don Reed and Mark Berres. The Micks use Irish instruments, such as the Bodhrán drum, fiddle, concertina, and of the mandolin family, the Bouzouki to produce a blend of traditional and more modern Irish sounds. The group’s appearance at Sunnylands comes one day after St. Patrick’s Day, extending the Irish holiday festivities.

March 25 – Jazzgrass: Idyllwild resident Barnaby Finch formed this group to honor the newer and more progressive side of Bluegrass music in 1999. Group members include Don Reed on mandolin, dobro, and guitar; Sam Zorn on fiddle; Bill Saitta on bass; and Jeff Olson on drums. Finch, a pianist, is the musical director. He is a former music director and touring member of Lee Ritenour’s band, and also has played with Ronnie Laws, Alphonse Mouzon, Boz Scaggs and Lionel Richie.

Sunnylands Center & Gardens presents the final event in its annual Music in the Gardens concert series, which began Sunday, March 4, and continued every Sunday throughout the month. The public is invited to stroll in the Gardens or bring a lawn chair and have a picnic on the Great Lawn while enjoying a different musical act each weekend.

Every performance is free and takes place from 11 am to 1 pm at Sunnylands Center & Gardens, 37977 Bob Hope Drive, in Rancho Mirage.

While guests are invited to bring food and picnics to Sunnylands, large coolers, ice chests, grills, and alcohol are not permitted.

March 25—Jazzgrass returns by popular demand to close out the series. In 1999, Idyllwild resident Barnaby Finch put the band together to honor the newer and more progressive side of Bluegrass music. In 2011, Barnaby recruited some talented locals to play with him. Don Reed on mandolin, dobro, and guitar is a famous Idyllwild virtuoso who’s performed with numerous artists. Sam Zorn on fiddle is a promising young player who covers everything from jazz to Celtic music. On bass is Bill Saitta, one of the busiest musicians in the Desert, joined by Jeff Olson on drums, who plays with David Benoit. Pianist Barnaby Finch is the musical director, formerly music director and touring member of Lee Ritenour’s band. Barmaby has played with Ronnie Laws, Alphonse Mouzon, Boz Scaggs and Lionel Richie. His piano was featured on the Lionel Richie/Diana Ross hit Endless Love. From 1982 to 1989 Barnaby toured with George Benson, for whom he was conductor and musical director from 1987 to 1989.

Sunnylands Center & Gardens presents its annual Music in the Gardens concert series beginning Sunday, March 4, and continuing every Sunday throughout the month. The public is invited to stroll in the Gardens or bring a lawn chair and have a picnic on the Great Lawn while enjoying a different musical act each weekend.

Every performance is free and takes place from 11 am to 1 pm at Sunnylands Center & Gardens, 37977 Bob Hope Drive, in Rancho Mirage.

While guests are invited to bring food and picnics to Sunnylands, large coolers, ice chests, grills, and alcohol are not permitted.

March 18—Three Micks and a Chick is a is a traditional Irish band, that features elements of traditional Irish music with storytelling and danceable tunes. Mick Lynch, Andrea Bond, John King, Don Reed and Mark Berres use traditional Irish instruments, including the Bodhrán drum, fiddle, concertina, and the Bouzouki and produce a blend of traditional and more modern sounds.
March 25—Jazzgrass returns by popular demand. In 1999, Idyllwild resident Barnaby Finch put the band together to honor the newer and more progressive side of Bluegrass music. In 2011, Barnaby recruited some talented locals to play with him. Don Reed on mandolin, dobro, and guitar is a famous Idyllwild virtuoso who’s performed with numerous artists. Sam Zorn on fiddle is a promising young player who covers everything from jazz to Celtic music. On bass is Bill Saitta, one of the busiest musicians in the Desert, joined by Jeff Olson on drums, who plays with David Benoit. Pianist Barnaby Finch is the musical director, formerly music director and touring member of Lee Ritenour’s band. Barmaby has played with Ronnie Laws, Alphonse Mouzon, Boz Scaggs and Lionel Richie. His piano was featured on the Lionel Richie/Diana Ross hit Endless Love. From 1982 to 1989 Barnaby toured with George Benson, for whom he was conductor and musical director from 1987 to 1989.

Sunnylands Center & Gardens presents its annual Music in the Gardens concert series beginning Sunday, March 4, and continuing every Sunday throughout the month. The public is invited to stroll in the Gardens or bring a lawn chair and have a picnic on the Great Lawn while enjoying a different musical act each weekend.

Every performance is free and takes place from 11 am to 1 pm at Sunnylands Center & Gardens, 37977 Bob Hope Drive, in Rancho Mirage.

While guests are invited to bring food and picnics to Sunnylands, large coolers, ice chests, grills, and alcohol are not permitted.

March 11—Barry Baughn Blues Band. Well-known in the Southern California blues circuit, Barry Baughn is lead guitarist and vocalist. Barry has worked with long-time rock and blues bassist-vocalist, Bob Gross. Over the course of 53 years, Bob has played with Albert King, Delaney Bramlett, Bobbie Gentry, Jim Stafford, Charo, Hank Thompson, and many more. The BBBB’s will bring infectious grooves and have the crowd tapping their toes
March 18—Three Micks and a Chick is a is a traditional Irish band, that features elements of traditional Irish music with storytelling and danceable tunes. Mick Lynch, Andrea Bond, John King, Don Reed and Mark Berres use traditional Irish instruments, including the Bodhrán drum, fiddle, concertina, and the Bouzouki and produce a blend of traditional and more modern sounds.
March 25—Jazzgrass returns by popular demand. In 1999, Idyllwild resident Barnaby Finch put the band together to honor the newer and more progressive side of Bluegrass music. In 2011, Barnaby recruited some talented locals to play with him. Don Reed on mandolin, dobro, and guitar is a famous Idyllwild virtuoso who’s performed with numerous artists. Sam Zorn on fiddle is a promising young player who covers everything from jazz to Celtic music. On bass is Bill Saitta, one of the busiest musicians in the Desert, joined by Jeff Olson on drums, who plays with David Benoit. Pianist Barnaby Finch is the musical director, formerly music director and touring member of Lee Ritenour’s band. Barmaby has played with Ronnie Laws, Alphonse Mouzon, Boz Scaggs and Lionel Richie. His piano was featured on the Lionel Richie/Diana Ross hit Endless Love. From 1982 to 1989 Barnaby toured with George Benson, for whom he was conductor and musical director from 1987 to 1989.