Palm Springs Pride Unveils Third Annual Pride Week Public Art Project
Greater Palm Springs Pride, the official host of Palm Springs Pride Week, will present its fourth annual large-scale public art installation, transforming downtown Palm Springs into a technicolor-design playground. The project will offer vibrant displays of light and color and showcase the impactful works of three local artists: Aaron Allen Marner, Marconi Calindas-Cafege, and Jaco Moretti. The public art project offering a breathtaking celebration of colorful diversity and community spirit will be on display Friday, November 1, and Saturday, November 2, with three downtown Palm Springs locations serving as the canvas.
In addition to the featured artists' works on The Kimpton staircase tower, stunning projection mapping will illuminate Forever Marylin and transform the facade of The Hyatt Palm Springs building from dusk until 10:00 p.m. “The downtown landmarks become a dynamic canvas, displaying vivid animations that reflect the essence of Palm Springs Pride,” said the project creative director, Brandon Ray Henderson. A kaleidoscope of colors, patterns, and images will dance across the building’s facade, creating an immersive visual experience. Forever Marilyn will be illuminated by animated sequences, becoming a symbol of inclusivity and unity.
The event is free and open to the public, inviting everyone to join the celebration and witness this captivating display of art and light. Greater Palm Springs Pride presents the Pride Week projection mapping attraction in partnership with Grit Development and P.S. Resorts.
“The large-scale public art projections add a colorful display of art and light to the downtown Pride Festival activities. We invite everyone to come to downtown Palm Springs and experience this year’s night of projection mapping and see landmarks come to life with a spectrum of colors, said Ron deHarte, President and CEO of Palm Springs Pride. This street art is a unique way for Pride to blend the arts with the city’s largest annual LGBTQ+ event. As an organization, we have showcased painters, illustrators, photographers, and sculptors at Pride for 25 years,” added deHarte.
In 2015, artist Nat Reed was the first artist to design the Palm Springs Pride poster art. Shagg’s art was showcased from 2016-2019, and the work of designer Richard Vaughn has been featured three times on the Pride poster since 2021. Trevor Wayne designed the Pride poster in 2023.
In 2021, Palm Springs Pride presented the West Coast premiere of American artist Yvette Mattern’s Global Rainbow, a laser light sculpture. The artwork utilized specially designed lasers to project a large-scale abstraction of a natural rainbow. Originating from high above Palm Canyon Dr at Amado Rd, the seven parallel beams of laser light hovered above Palm Canyon Dr as far as the eye could see until they finally diminished to a colorful glow over South Palm Canyon.
Aaron Allen Marner, the Pride Parade Grand Marshal and a featured artist, is known for his thought-provoking and colorful artwork. His work explores themes of social justice, mental health, and racial inequality while also celebrating diversity, inclusion, and hope. Marner's vibrant hues and geometric shapes create a powerful and emotional experience for viewers.
Marconi Calindas-Cafege, is a dynamic force in the Palm Springs art scene and recipient of the Palm Springs Pride Spirit of Stonewall Arts & Culture Award. Their work fearlessly confronts pressing social issues, including LGBTQ+ rights.
Jaco Moretti's photography, a love letter to men, nature, and Palm Springs’ architecture, completes the trio of featured artists.
This year's Pride Week public art project is a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and power of art in a public setting. The projections on the buildings will create a stunning visual spectacle that will delight and inspire.
About Palm Springs Pride Palm Springs Pride is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and promoting equality and acceptance. Through events and initiatives, Palm Springs Pride strives to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
The Palm Springs Pride Festival will occur downtown on Palm Canyon Drive and in the Arenas District from October 31 to November 3, 2024. The annual Pride Parade starts at 10:00 A.M. in Uptown at Palm Canyon Drive and Tachevah.
Palm Springs Pride is free and accessible to all thanks to the support of presenting sponsor City of Palm Springs, Diamond sponsor Visit Lauderdale, and Associate sponsors P.S. Resorts, La Crema, BuzzBox, Coachella Valley Firebirds, and Absolut.