100+ artists, two weekends, tons of fun - the 16th annual Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours
The hi-desert's premier cultural event of the year begins this Saturday morning and runs through the next two weekends. The 16th annual Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours is on its way!
Plan your tours
The Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours are similar to a self-guided tour, only this is a self-guided driving tour that covers hundreds of square miles around the hi-desert. Yes, that sounds like a huge area, and it is, but you can get around it quite easily and quickly. Planning which days you will join the art tours, and what artists you want to visit, is still important. In the past, we've tried to hit every artist in the art tours, and invariably, we ran out of time and missed many artists.
It's easy to wind up spending time with the artists and fellow art tours fans, enjoying their work and company, exploring their studios and environs, shopping for art (at artist direct prices - perfect for holiday gift giving or spoiling yourself), partaking in the food and beverages offered, and the day can pass quickly. We've been offered cocktails, and serenaded with live music at various studios. You never know what you'll find on the art tours, but it won't be boring.
The best way to plan your day(s) on the Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours is to pick up a program. There are information centers that have a supply of free programs throughout the hi-desert and Coachella Valley. You can also view an online digital version of the program HERE.
Hit the Road!
The Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours are the best way for a visitor to explore the hi-desert communities of Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley, Pioneertown, Landers Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, and Wonder Valley. Collectively, these communities are known as the Joshua Tree Gateway Communities as they are the primary gateway communities to our popular Joshua Tree National Park, which now greets upwards of three million visitors annually.
When the art tours first began, one weekend featured artists in the west (Morongo Valley, Yucca Valley, Pioneertown, Landers, Joshua Tree), and one weekend featured artists in the east (Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, Wonder Valley). Now the majority of artists are open both weekends, but you still need to check the program to ensure the artists you want to visit have their studios open the days you plan your art tours experience. We still find it beneficial to plan at least one day in the west and one in the east, in order to have shorter drives between artists, and more time for the artists.
While out on the art tours, keep an eye open for informal artist events that may be planned not only at artist studios, but at various venues around the hi-desert. Chances are that you'll be able to find some great live music or other gatherings that will add to your enjoyment of the art tours. There's always something going on out here!
Visit the Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours website for all the information on where to pick up a program, background information on the artists, and Google maps of artist locations, to help you plan for a fun-filled art tours weekend - or two! Just click HERE for the website.
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