A Guide To Strange Art Around Joshua Tree
Wondering what there is to do in Joshua Tree? Make sure to carve out some time to experience a few or all of these 10 unique and quirky art attractions. Part of the charm of the high desert is its rich and dynamic artist community and the inspiring murals, galleries, and art installations sprinkled across and throughout the desert towns surrounding the Park. Here are our top 10 art attractions that should not be missed when you want to experience authentic high desert art.
10. Krblin Jihn’s Kabin
Home to a man that never existed in real life is the Krblin Jihn Kabin. The Kabin is one of many locations in the Demetrios’ “Kcymaerxthaere” project, an “ongoing work of three-dimensional fiction” that uses mixed media, like text plaques and this Kabin, to share its stories. According to Eames Demetrios, the grandson of Ray and Charles Eames, the Kabin was inhabited by religious leader Krblin Jihn while he was under house arrest after a rival sect, the Notgeon, defeated his Jihn Wranglikans in a long war in a parallel universe. During his time in the Kabin, Jihn realized two translations of the Bible and the Kmmentaries in Matthew. Kcymaerxthaere is an alternative universe comprising 29 major “rezhns;” Demetrios likens it to “a novel where every page is in a different city.” To reach the Kabin requires traveling a dirt road so please exercise caution.
Check It Out: #krblinjihnkabin
Hours of Operation: Dawn until dusk.
Address: 5880 Border Ave, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
9. Sunvale Village
Toystory meets the desert best sums up Sunvale Village, except the whole coming to life part, but who knows with the magic of the desert at play. Here at Sunvale Village you will find a home for discarded toys found in the desert at decaying homestead cabins or illegal dump sites known as “smalls.” And while the toys may be labeled as smalls the artist behind this outdoor exhibit is looking to shine a light on some large and complex issues, such as the environment, gender biases, politics, ownership, and gentrification of communities. Note that Sunvale Village is located in a remote area on a dirt road and there is no official parking available so take care when driving there.
Check It Out: @sunvalevillage
Hours of Operation: Dawn until dusk.
Address: 790100 Sunvale Rd, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
8. Mojaveland Mini Golf and Open Studio
No better pairing than mini golf and art. At least according to artist Anna Stump who aimed to uncover new ways for art to be appreciated. She, along with other artists, including graffiti artist Mr. Maxx Moses, Joshua Tree sculptor Ben Allanoff and San Diego artist Arthur Siprut, have constructed Mojaveland a 5-hole mini golf course that features modern art installations throughout the fairway. The future vision for Mojaveland is a more dynamic and comprehensive art and sports destination that offers an 18-hole miniature golf course, each hole designed by a different desert artist, a pedal cart track, mural and sculpture gardens, artist exhibits, teaching studios and more.
Check It Out: @mojaveland
Hours of Operation: Visit the website here for more information.
Address: 5157 Adobe Road, 29 Palms, CA 92277
7. 29 Palms Creative Center and Art Gallery
A short distance from the WKNDR at Joshua Tree National Park, is the 29 Palms Creative Center and Gallery in the 29 Palms area. Here you will find a gallery highlighting a diverse mix of art pieces like jewelry, ceramics and mixed media by local artists as well as art classes and kits for both adults and children, including pottery painting, collaging and drawing among others. If you’re looking to not only appreciate, but also parttake in the arts during your visit to the 29 Palms area, you can schedule a paint night and other activities through the art center.
Check It Out: https://www.facebook.com/29PalmsCreativeCenterArtGallery
Hours of Operation: Visit the website here for more information.
Address: 6847 Adobe Road, 29 Palms, CA 92277
6. World Famous Crochet Museum
Being labeled World Famous should be reason enough to visit the World Famous Crochet Museum in Joshua Tree which also offers one of the most instagrammable lime green storefronts. The World Famous Crochet Museum was founded more than a decade ago by Art Queen Shari Elf, who in fact does not know how to crochet (surprise!). She will tell visitors though that she is in the process of learning. Within this tiny and world famous crochet museum, you will find shelves filled with crocheted animals that Shari has collected throughout the years. And while this may be billed as a museum, it very much goes beyond this definition and should be viewed as an art installation.
Check It Out: @worldfamouscrochetmuseum
Hours of Operation: Monday - Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Address: 61855 CA-62, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
5. Salvation Mountain
One of the most iconic stops in the Californian desert, Salvation Mountain may look familiar from its famous appearance in the movie “Into the Wild”. It’s located in the desert area of Imperial County, about 2 hours from Joshua Tree. Standing at 50 feet high and 150 feet wide, this homage to GOD envisioned by Leonard Knight was crafted from local adobe clay and layer upon layer of donated paint. And it’s message is clear: “God is LOVE” that is reflected and represented on the mountainside with biblical and religious scripture such as the Lord's Prayer, John 3:16, and the Sinner's Prayer, as well as the Sea of Galilee, a big red heart in the center, cross. Salvation Mountain is open to visit.
Check It Out: @salvationmountainofficial
Hours of Operation: Dawn until dusk.
Address: Salvation Mountain Inc, 603 E Beal Rd, Calipatria, CA 92233
4. Simi Dabah Gallery
Most people will notice the larger-than-life sculptures driving from 29 Palms to Joshua Tree, but never know the artist behind the work. Beloved in 29 Palms, Simi Dabah is a self-taught artist/welder, who reinvents salvaged materials to create beautiful welded steel sculptures. You can see his work throughout 29 Palms and along HWY 62 as he donates his sculptures to the public and nonprofit organizations. To experience his full vision, the public can visit his outdoor gallery in Joshua Tree which features a sculpture garden.
Check It Out: @simidabah
Hours of Operation: Visit the website here for more information.
Address: 5255 Sunfair Rd, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
3. Glass Outhouse Art Gallery
Born from a story of heartbreak in love and art, Laurel Seidl started building the art gallery after her husband ran off with her best friend and galleries wouldn’t accept her art. Now it’s a haven for artists who might not have the opportunity to showcase their art otherwise. While a bit off the beaten path, the Glass Outhouse Gallery features recycled art by artists from across the country and for many artists and art collectors alike it’s a must visit. To keep the gallery fresh and visitors coming back, the Gallery features one to two new artists every month. Here you’ll find mannequins sinking in quicksand, skeleton’s pumping iron in a “Ghoul’s Gym”, and the Instagram famous mirrored outhouse.
Check Out The Goodness: @theglassouthousegallery
Hours of Operation: Monday - Sunday: 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Address: 77575 Twentynine Palms Highway, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
2. The Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum
Just a pile of trash? Not at all. Noah Purifoy was an artist and sculptor ahead of his times who was much like most of our WKNDR guests, splitting his time between Los Angeles and Joshua Tree. At the Noah Purifoy Outdoor Desert Art Museum, you can experience and come to appreciate Purifoy’s perspective on the world in which he lived, which he realized through the use of rudimentary materials, like wire and scrap metal, to craft assemblages of the Watts Riots. This outdoor museum near Joshua Tree is open free to the public (donations accepted) 365 days a year from sun up until sundown.
Check It Out: @noahpurifoyfoundation
Hours of Operation: Dawn until dusk.
Address: 63030 Blair Lane, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
1. HWY 62 Open Studio Art Tours
Our personal favorite art event of the year is the largest open studio in California, the Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours. It’s an annual multi-disciplinary desert-wide open studio art tour during which you have access to the homes and studios of desert-based creatives for three weekends in the fall. It’s number one on this list because there’s no other event that celebrates the vibrant desert art scene like this one. The Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours is in its 20th year and there are more than 160 artists who exhibit across 8 communities. Book your stay at the WKNDR for one of these weekends if you’re an art lover that enjoys engaging with the creative minds behind the work.
Check Out The Goodness: @hwy62arttours
Hours of Operation: Visit the website here for more information.
Address: As an open studio art tour there is no permanent address.
Like this list? Check Out our list of art galleries to visit while in Joshua Tree.
Let us know in the comments what your favorite strange art spot is around Joshua Tree.
