The Contemporary Art Council supports contemporary art at the Palm Springs Art Museum, primarily in the areas of fundraising for acquisitions, exhibitions, and education, and to otherwise encourage appreciation and promote activity in contemporary art at the museum. Each membership is entitled to two participants at membership-only events.
If you would like to join the council or need further information about the events listed for CAC, please contact CAC Coordinator, at
760-322-4823 or
.
Art Salons
Wednesday, January 25 Private home in Rancho Mirage
& Thursday, April 5, 2012 (TBA)
2- 4 p.m.
Free to CAC members only
For hundreds of years, collectors and lovers of art have joined together to share their passions through art salons. This year, CAC members host two salons in private homes for members as a special thank you for participating in the love of contemporary art. Specific Salon topics will be provided at a later date. Invitations will be mailed to CAC members.
Silent Auction & Cocktail Reception 6p.m.- $135 per person Dinner & LIVE Auction & Dinner - $275 per person
ARTrageous 2012, the Contemporary Art Council’s biennial fundraising auction and exhibition will be held on February 27, 2012. The exhibition of auction art will be on view in the museum’s McCallum wing for two weeks prior to the evening auction and dinner beginning at 6 p.m. Auction works are by Diane Arbus, Fletcher Benton, Jan Borowski, James Hennessey, Clifford Hill, Catherine Opie, Ed Paschke, Karim Rashid, Steve Roden, Wayne Thiebaud, Peter Voulkos and dozens of others.
For Emerging Collectors, a reception and tour of the exhibition will be held on February 15, 2012 6:30-8 p.m.
All museum members are invited to attend ARTrageous events with priority given to CAC members. Seating for the dinner and auction will be limited.
Image: Jan Borowski, Amigo III, 2007, glass, gift of Carol Frankel
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
6:30 – 8 p.m.
McCormick Gallery
$25 per person
Tickets: Box Office, 760-325-4490 or online
Enjoy a lively, educational and entertaining reception while viewing artworks that will be offered at the February 27 auction. Meet new friends, artists, collectors, and art enthusiasts while enjoying delectable hors d’oeuvres donated by LuLu California Bistro.
Internationally-known glass sculptor Karen LaMonte has been named “Artist of Honor” by the Contemporary Art Council and will travel to Palm Springs from her home in Prague.
On Sunday, February 26, Ms. LaMonte will present a lecture at 11 a.m. in the Annenberg Theater, followed by a reception in the Elrod Sculpture Garden.
Free to CAC members – Funding for the LaMonte lecture is provided by the museum’s Contemporary Art Council.
For others, tickets may be purchased at the Annenberg Theater Box Office by calling 760.325.4490. Tickets include lecture and reception:
Thursday, March 15, 2012 9:30 a.m.- Tour, McCormick Gallery 10:15 a.m. – Brunch, Houston Atrium $50 CAC members and their guests Free to CAC 1000 Members
Join CAC members as Michael Petry conducts a walkthrough of his exhibition The Touch of the Oracle which features three site-specific installations – Golden Rain, Joshua D’s Wall, and Joshua’s Dilemma.
After an enlightening tour, CAC members and their guests are invited to attend a private brunch on the museum’s main floor. For more information, please contact Cara Gallo, CAC Coordinator at 760.322.4823 or .
Image: Michael Petry, Joshua D's Wall, (detail of individual pieces), 2011, blown glass, courtesy of Michael Petry
March 23-25, 2012 Price to be determined; CAC members only event
Join the CAC, escorted by Chief Curator, Katherine Hough, on an amazing 3-day tour to “The City of Angels”, Los Angeles, where participants will experience the unique culture through special access to private contemporary art collections and artists’ studios. Accommodations will be enjoyed at the elegant Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills. On the final day, the tour will visit two private collections in Laguna before returning to Palm Springs.
Thursday, April 12, 2012 10:30 a.m. – Annenberg Theater Free to CAC members and their guests
12 p.m. – Luncheon with Guest Lecturer The patio at Le Vallauris Restaurant 385 Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs $75 CAC members and their guests Reservations: Cara, CAC Coordinator at 760.322.4823 or
The CAC Annual Meeting and Election of Officers with a presentation by a guest lecturer will be followed by a luncheon.
Extended Art Tours to Contemporary Art Destinations Around the World
CAC invites museum members and their guests to join us on our custom-designed Contemporary Art Tours. The museum's curatorial staff arranges for our groups to tour the finest collections throughout the region, the country, and the world. Our tours combine camaraderie and fun with exclusive access and enrichment that you can expect from a CAC program. Be the tour to Paris, Italy, Prague, Sydney, Chicago, or Santa Fe, you can expect to be invited into the most exclusive collections and receive special opportunities at world-renown museums and galleries.
Don't pass up this opportunity to purchase a cast glass sculpture by Howard BenTré that has been commissioned in a limited edition of 30 by the Contemporary Art Council.
Howard BenTré is known as one of the premier contemporary studio glass artists and has exhibited at the Palm Springs Art Museum and museums around the world. This 13-inch high sculpture, Vessel of Light, is available for purchase at a special museum discounted price of $6,000. Proceeds from the sale of this cast glass sculpture with gold leaf will benefit the acquisitions and exhibitions programs for the museum.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
1:30 – 5 p.m.
$175 to CAC members only
A favorite program in CAC's annual schedule is our Local Art Tour, in which members are treated to a private escorted luxury tour to three outstanding private contemporary art collections in the desert communities. This art-filled afternoon will conclude with cocktails at sunset at the last collection. Invitations will be mailed to CAC members.
Curatorial Tours of New Exhibitions
followed by Brunch
Thursday, December 8, 2011
9:30 a.m.- Tour, Museum galleries
10:15 a.m.- Brunch, Houston Atrium
$50, CAC members and their guests
Free to CAC1000 members
CAC Members and their guests are invited to an exclusive tour, guided by Chief Curator Katherine Hough, of the museum's new exhibition: Blast from the Past: 60s and 70s Geometric Abstractions.
After the guided tour guests may explore independently through the exhibitions. We invite you to stroll through the hot glow of bright glass in our newly installed Contemporary Glass gallery. Take in the scenes and seasons of New England and Pennsylvania in the crisp Autumnal exhibition Andrew Wyeth IN PERSPECTIVE.
Immediately following the tour, join us in the Houston Atrium for an elegant brunch amid the museum’s exquisite collection. For more information, please contact Cara Gallo, CAC Coordinator at 760.322.4823 or .
