Desert Hot Springs approves $25,000 sponsorship for Desert X 2019 art installation
Desert Hot Springs city council approved a $25,000 sponsorship deal for Desert X, a contemporary art exhibition to be installed in 2019 that officials hope will bring tourism and business to the city.
The exhibit company had originally requested consideration for a $50,000 sponsorship, but only received half. Other cities have committed funding for similar projects, including Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and Coachella.
City officials said they’re excited to have an attraction that will bring business and tourists, but owners voiced concerns about traffic and crowds as well.
“I do think the motivation will be Desert X to bring people up here and of course we need more business and to drive more business to the community,” said Rhoni Epstein, owner of Sagewater Spa in Desert Hot Springs. She’s working with Desert X to bring one of the art installations to her property, giving full access and rights to the artist.
An iridescent palm tree installation is coming to a site at Two Bunch Palms Resort, and an interactive structure and vibrantly painted pool will come to an empty lot owned by Sagewater Spa.
Some are worried about the traffic and crowds the exhibits will bring.
“I do have a concern,” said Epstein. “A lot of people are going to be driven up here. Sagewater Spa is a very quiet, private retreat.”
Another spa nearby, The Spring, expressed a similar concern.
“It’s kind of a double-edged sword,” said Wayne Krygier from The Spring Resort and Spa. “We have a little oasis here — quiet, relaxing, no TV’s, no telephones.”
But they say they’re glad to receive the exposure.
“I want to protect my guests, I wanna protect the area,” Epstein said. “But I think that the ends of having people know more about us and driving business, letting people see the homes and how lovely it would be to be a part of this community is going to advance us far more than worrying about traffic right now.”
Desert X says in 2017, their exhibits drew 200,000 visitors, with 65% of them traveling to the Coachella Valley and staying in a hotel overnight.
They also plan to partner with a local education organization to give students the opportunity to get involved.
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