Page 24 Desert Charities News – desertcharities.com January/February/March 2015

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The Poster Artist for the 29th annual Southwest Arts Festival, Indio 2015 has been selected. “Desert Falls,” a vibrant acrylic painting on canvas by local artist Dennis Nagatani, will be the signature poster of

the 2015 Festival taking place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California from Friday, January 23 through Sunday, January 25, 2015. A tradition of the Festival since 1987, the poster was unveiled during a reception on Tuesday, December 9 in the Rose Garden at the Empire Polo Club. Nagatani, who was honored at the event, also signed a limited number of the posters.

A self-taught artist who has exhibited at art festivals throughout the West and Southwest for more than 30 years, Nagatani initially used a camera to capture surroundings that appealed to him. Inspired by a desire to turn his photographs into paintings, he began a lifelong passion for the painting process itself. The interplay of colors and their impact on the viewer became a primary theme, infusing his work with a positive, uplifting energy.

“As an instinctual painter I am focused on, and in tune with what is evolving on the canvas,” explains Nagatani, “and intuition, serendipity, and experience play a big role in this process. Whether I am using brushes or palette knives, or pouring the paint, the process is the same: the painting unfolds, step by step, each gesture taking its cue from the previous one. The finished piece evolves on its own rather than depending on outside inspiration.”

Nagatani, a colorist at heart who finds inspiration in the multi-colored mountains, deep blue skies and magnificent sunsets of the California desert, painted “Desert Falls” in a free flowing style, carefully pouring washes of acrylic color directly onto the canvas. The luminosity of the final painting captures the movement and energy of the flowing paint.

Southwest Arts Festival, Indio 2015, one of the area’s largest and longest running juried art festivals, will feature traditional, contemporary, and abstract fine works of art by more than 250 acclaimed artists. Categories include clay, drawing, glass, jewelry, metal, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, textile, and other arts. One of Indio’s largest non-profit fundraisers, more than 200 community leaders and volunteers will contribute numerous hours to ensure its success.

“Our festival has a reputation for attracting world-class artists, making it one of the finest in the country,” says Joshua Bonner, President/CEO of the Indio Chamber Commerce. “It also made the jury’s decision extremely difficult to select one piece of artwork out of the almost two

dozen outstanding submissions we received. I predict that ‘Desert Falls’ will be highly coveted not only by long-time poster collectors, but by many first-time attendees as well.”

Designated as one of the American Bus Association’s Top 100 Events in North America for 2015, the Festival is a nationally recognized cultural event that attracts professional artists from states as far away as Montana, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Maryland. In addition to the art exhibition and sale, the festival will feature a variety of al fresco dining options and entertainment by talented local jazz musicians. The Desert Sun is the Title Sponsor of the event.

The three-day family friendly festival will be open from 10 AM – 5 PM daily, and admission is Seniors – $8, General – $9, Three-Day Pass – $12, and Children 14 & under – Free. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling the Indio Visitors Bureau at 760-347-0676.

To receive regular updates follow Southwest Arts Festival on Facebook, and for more information visit southwestartsfest.com or call 760-347-0676.

Mizell Senior Center presents our annual gala, “An Evening at the Apollo – One Night. Souled Out!” on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at the Palm Springs Air Museum. Our presenting sponsor is Eisenhower Health joined by Producing Sponsor, Harold Matzner. You will be transformed to the vibe of New York City with our re-creation of CENTRAL PARK and the famed TAVERN ON THE GREEN. Of course, there will be food carts and hawkers all in the shadow of the skyline of New York City. This will be an experience like no other and as usual you can count on a few surprises!! Enjoy cocktails, our silent auction, and a special pre-show dinner that recalls the fare of famous New York Harlem restaurants catered by the award winning Savoury’s. Then it’s off to the Apollo Theater for One Night. Souled Out!

This year we are prepared to outdo all of our past events as we magically transport you to the legendary Apollo Theater in New York. The Apollo stands alone in American Musical History and has been described as a

place “where stars are born and legends are made.” You will experience the sounds of the era -The Supremes, The Temptations, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner and more with the music of the acclaimed “HITZVILLE – THE SHOW”. This sensational group from the Las Vegas Strip are closing their show for one night . . .to entertain at our night at The Apollo. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes because this show will take you back with the sounds of the musical legends that made the Apollo Theater famous and entertainers we will remember for a lifetime. People will be talking about this “Musical Experience” for years to come!

Stay tuned for a surprise announcement about our Gala MC’s and special performance by multiple Grammy Award, Gold and Platinum record winners. It will

truly make this an unforgettable Musical Experience of the Season.We are especially pleased to announce that this year’s Gala is co-chaired

by Dr. Ronald Fragen and Carol Fragen as well as local attorney Eric A. Rudolph and his partner, Bob Iles. Tickets to this memorable event are only $245.00 with proceeds benefiting the Mizell Senior Center Valley-wide Meals on Wheels program. Sponsorships remain available. For information on tickets or sponsorship, call Jack Newby, Director of Development at 760-323-5689 x118.

Poster Artist Selected for SouthweSt ArtS FeStivAl indo 2015“Desert Falls” by Coachella Valley Painter Dennis Nagatani to Represent 29th Annual Festival By Cindy Duffy

MIzELL SENIOR CENTER ANNOuNCES STARS AMONG uS fOR 2015

An Evening at the ApolloOne Night. Souled Out!