Great cities have great art, and Palm Desert is no exception. Each of the many galleries on El Paseo specializes in different styles and media ranging from traditional landscape and figurative paintings to sculpture to contemporary abstraction, photography, and studio glass. Whatever motivates you to buy art — decoration, intellectual stimulation, investment — the galleries on El Paseo will inspire and help to visually transform your house into a home.
In With the New
Kaleidoscopic light sculptures by Los Angeles–based artist Anthony James (shown at left) prevail at Melissa Morgan Fine Art, which also shows light and space paintings by Andy Moses, lifelike sculptures of swimmers by Carole Feuerman, and abstract paintings by Nellie King Solomon. J. Willott Gallery presents edgy new abstract paintings by Blake Baxter, gestural sculpture by Roger Berry and Will Clift, and colorful studio glass by Richard Jolley and John Kiley.
Land of Light
If you love desert landscapes, look for paintings by Terry Masters at Jones & Terwilliger Galleries, which also shows oils of modernist Palm Springs homes with classic cars by Shinisha Labus. Ramey Fine Art exhibits abstract landscapes by High Desert expressionist Michael Ross as well as desert-inspired pop art by Brad Leslie. A Gallery Fine Art offers traditional landscapes by Glenda Nordmeyer.
Pop Go the Prints
Pop art by Andy Warhol, Mel Bochner, Jim Dine, Donald Sultan, and Wayne Thiebaud steals the show at Dawson Cole Fine Art. The gallery also shows modern prints by Joan Miro, Henry Moore, and Pablo Picasso and represents the figurative sculpture of Richard MacDonald.
Surreal Appeal
The wonderfully surrealist paintings and sculpture of Paul Wunderlich have long been a staple at Hart Gallery, which represents a global roster of artists, including a few locals such as Robert Dunahay, who’s known for his paintings of palm trees. You can also find Salvador Dalí lithographs at Dawson Cole Fine Art.
Something for Everyone
For a variety of figurative, representational, and abstract paintings; sculpture; and studio glass, visit A Gallery Fine Art and Coda Gallery. Both represent deep rosters of artists who create in colorful and unexpected ways. The latter showcases locally inspired paintings by Daniel Raynott and neon-illuminated paintings by Karlos Marquez. Favorites at A Gallery Fine Art include wall sculptures by Craig French and Americana paintings by Dennis Johnson.
At the Center of It All
Palm Desert became the first city in Riverside County to adopt a public arts ordinance in 1986, requiring developers to include art in their new builds. The city oversees the placement and maintenance of public art, including the large-scale sculptures in the biennial El Paseo Sculpture Exhibition. Cross to the median to view them up close. The sculptures may be purchased, though they will remain on display through 2024.