Artists Council in Palm Desert fosters sense of community in Coachella Valley through art

Community. It is what powers our valley. From every neighborhood in every city on every street in our vast desert region — we exemplify the spirit of community. We show up for each other. We help one another. We support each other.

It's been said we are a place like no other, and a good reason for that is the many nonprofits and volunteers who celebrate this power of community every day in so many ways. And when it's showcased in art, the joy shines brightly and in abundance.

A beautiful example is the Artists Council at the Galen Center in Palm Desert. It was formed three years ago, and since then they have had many exhibits — both in person and virtually — and hosted many events for our community.

“The Artists Council is committed to a fulfilling creative life for all, and we recognize the powerful impact art can have on our world, both in the making of art and the exposure to it,” board chair David Hatcher says. “We want to elevate artists through exhibitions, professional development and community engagement.”

Their current juried exhibit runs through Nov. 20 and is appropriately called “Community.” It showcases 84 local artists and truly defines their commitment to community.

“There were over 150 submissions, and all were so diverse and exciting,” says Merritt Price, former head of design at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. “The Coachella Valley has some great talent, and it's a very supportive environment.”

The installations are inspiring and impressive and include one artist who has just moved to the desert from Oregon and was looking to get involved with the local art scene.

Alleyn Yasskin is an award-winning artist from Portland and felt the desert was a good place to settle. She was looking for a warm climate and a welcoming environment and a place that would inspire her painting. She found it here in the Coachella Valley.

“I didn't know what to expect when I moved,” she says. “I am a fifth generation Oregonian, but I longed for sunny days and beautiful light, and I found it here. I was hoping to discover a vibrant art community, and it turns out everywhere you look there are galleries and workshops and fellow art enthusiasts. I love it here.”

Yasskin discovered the Artists Council and many other art communities, and all have welcomed her. They have opened their doors and hearts and embraced not only her art but her desire to join a community.

Co-Director of Exhibitions and Director of Member Programs and Communications Ulrike says: “The Artists Council was formed to celebrate and showcase art but also a sense of camaraderie among artists. We support one another. We celebrate each other and we wanted to share that mission.”

Art lovers and art creators coming together to bring beauty to our valley is something to celebrate — it is the power of community! And the fact that the current exhibit at the Artist Council is called “Community” might just be a coincidence, but it's for their welcoming outreach to all that we award the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation Power of Community $1,000 grant so the organization may continue its great work inspiring both artists and art lovers.

“We welcome all to not only visit our center and experience all that we offer in our many art classes and events, but we also welcome fellow artists to become a part of our family," Ulrike says. "A part of our community."

Community. It's a powerful word, and it means a lot to newcomers to our desert like Yasskin. After all, there are few things more beautiful than the power of art to inspire a sense of fellowship and a sense of community.

Sandie Newton is an award-winning broadcast journalist who began her career in Los Angeles as cohost of the nationally syndicated show "PM Magazine." She went on to host many local and national shows like "Hollywood Insider" before becoming one of the original anchors for E! and a regular on Hallmark Channel's "Home & Family." In 2017, she moved to the desert full time, creating and hosting NBCares for more than six years, profiling over 300 valley nonprofits. She is currently the host of "Desert Chat," a new half-hour lifestyle show spotlighting all the good people, events and news in the Coachella Valley Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on KESQ and 10:30 p.m. on FOX 11.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Artists Council in Palm Desert fosters sense of community through art