Morongo Basin Arts Tour

  

click photo to enlarge		 The Morongo Basin Arts Council has open studio art tours for two weekends every year. We have been going every other year to see this. We came across it the first time by accident. We were in the area riding our off road motorcycles. The place on the left is where we stayed in 2009 called Spin and Margie's Desert Hideaway and is one of the coolest places we have ever stayed. We will stay here again and recommend it to anybody.

click photo to enlarge		 One weekend they have studios in the east end of the basin open and the next the west end. This was the first time we had seen the west end. They have over 100 art studios open. We just enjoy getting out and exploring the high desert. Many of the artists live a minimalist lifestyle in order to do what they love. Some may have old homesteader cabins as studios. The original Homestead act was for 160 acre parcels but in 1930 the Small Tract Act was passed often called the Jack Rabbit Homestead. You will see many of these in the Morongo Basin, cabins 15 x 20 feet on 5 acre plots. Some being used and many abandoned. Very interesting indeed.

click photo to enlarge		 We were at one studio and were intrigued by the art work in a neighbors yard. We went off wandering this guys place and he came out. If he doesn't play Santa Claus he should. The picture to the left he explained was so when people wanted to get up on their high horse they could. He was enjoying showing us and explaining his yard art and we were enjoying hearing what they meant. The picture below is of Noah Purifoy's assemblage art. This building is called "The White House". Hmm if you look close you will see toilet seats and on the main floor there are toilets. On 7.5 acres Noah's art is scatter around. This was NOT part of the art tour but we found it by talking to people. Same as the gentleman and his high horse.

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               click photo to enlarge